Ever
wondered when cats fall, they always seem to land properly on their
feet. Moreover, they do not suffer from any bruises or injuries. Does
it have to do with the old mythological saying that cats have nine
lives? Some say cats survive huge fall because they are tenacious and
determined of life as compared to other animals. However, why nine
lives? Let us explore this issue.
According to the ancient Greek mythology, nine refers to trinity of all
trinities. Nine is a mystic number that invokes tradition and religion.
Greeks believed Atum-Ra the sun god gave life to nine gods. These gods
were together called as Ennead or Nine.
Atum-Ra the sun god took the appearance of cat and instilled its soul
in each of these gods. When evil power came to destroy these gods, they
survived unhurt because they had an instillation of sun god in them.
Later, people in ancient Greek followed sun god. They started
worshipping cats and believed that cats have nine lives same as these
gods.
According to
the legends, in AD 962, Count of Ypres Baldwin III hurled some felines
from the top of the tower but to his surprise, they survived without a
single bruise. He hurled them nine times and to his astonishment they
survived every time and so, he left them alone. Since then, the Belgian
people celebrate the cat history by throwing artificial cats from hall
tower.
What Science Has To Say:
The miracles of the medieval period became science of the nineteenth
century. In the year 1894, a renowned French life scientist
Etienne-Jules Marey explained the remarkable ability of cats to survive
huge falls and escape unhurt. Marey held a feline upside down and
hurled it downwards.
The research unit captured the entire film, using a camera, which took
about 60 images per second. This film made clear as how cat lands on
its feet every time when it falls from high altitudes. Thus, a
conclusion was made that, when the cat falls downwards the automatic
twisting effect begins in the body of the cat.
The cat directs its head, legs, tail, and body towards the ground and
readies itself for a stable landing. The reaction is so immediate that
cat judges the gravity and guides its body accordingly. Thus, cats have
the instinct of physics too.
Moreover, scientist says that cats have an inherent ability to land on
feet every time they fall. However, this happens only during one or two
occasion. It is same as the reaction of human body during critical
situations. Studies also show that 90 percent of cats survive the falls
and go unhurt.
However, a cautious note for people who might try throwing their cats
out of their house is to understand that most domestic cats of recent
times may not possess this skill as their lives have increasingly
become sedentary.
Overview:
The mystery of nine lives began during the medieval period. Although,
Greek people no longer worship the cats and all the nine gods are
elapsed with time, but the resilience of cats continues to inspire
fascination. That is the reason why the myth of nine lives of cat
endures until now.
Go to Cat and Kitten Zone to get your free ebook about Cats and Kittens at www.catandkittenzone.com/">Cats. Cat and Kitten Zone also has information on www.catandkittenzone.com /">Kittens, www.catandkittenzone.com
/">Cat Supplies and a Cat and Kitten Forum where you can connect
with others who love cats and kittens. You can Find Cat and Kitten Zone
at www.catandkittenzone.com.
