How Different Countries Celebrate Their Cats 🐈

🇯🇵 Japan – The Spiritual and Supernatural Cat

In Japan, cats aren’t just adorable—they’re believed to bring good luck or bad omens, depending on the story. The famous maneki-neko (the waving cat) is everywhere, from shop counters to sushi bars, symbolizing fortune and protection. But in old Japanese legends, cats could also transform into eerie shapeshifters called bakeneko or two-tailed spirits known as nekomata. With over 9 million pet cats and dozens of cat cafés, especially in Tokyo, Japan's feline fascination shows no sign of slowing down.

🇹🇷 Turkey – Where Street Cats Are Everyone’s Cats

Nowhere is the human-cat bond more visible than in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, where cats are welcome in mosques, cafes, bookstores, and homes. These are not “strays” in the traditional sense. They are community cats, cared for by many. Rooted in Islamic tradition (the Prophet Muhammad is said to have loved cats), Turkey’s cat culture includes everything from bowls of food in alleyways to cat-friendly imams.

🇨🇾 Cyprus – Cats With a Sacred Past and Streetwise Present

Cyprus is a place where cats are woven into the fabric of everyday life. Legend has it that cats were first brought here by Saint Helena to control venomous snakes, and they’ve ruled the island ever since. Today, they roam monasteries, villages, and seaside cafés with quiet confidence. You’ll spot them sunbathing on cobblestones in Limassol, weaving through the ruins of ancient Kourion, or lounging near fishing boats in Larnaca. Locals often feed them, and island-wide efforts support spaying and care programs. For visitors, Cyprus’s cats feel like living links to both mythology and Mediterranean rhythm.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Cats in High Office

Yes, the UK loves its cats, and it even employs them. The title of “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office” is a real government position, currently held by Larry, a brown-and-white tabby who resides at 10 Downing Street. Larry is the first cat officially given the title, but Downing Street has hosted feline staff since the 1500s. With over 10 million pet cats in British homes and national affection for breeds like the British Shorthair, cats are as British as tea and queueing politely.

🇪🇬 Egypt – Where Cats Were Once Gods

In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred. They were protectors of grain, symbols of fertility, and associated with the goddess Bastet. Killing a cat, even by accident, was considered a crime. Today, while the divine status has faded, cats are still everywhere in Egypt, especially in historic areas like Cairo’s Old City. Their presence is a quiet echo of their ancient role in one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

🇹🇭 Thailand – Where White Cats Bring Fortune

Thailand’s deep admiration for cats stretches back centuries. Breeds like the Siamese and Khao Manee (the “White Gem”) are considered bringers of good luck, wealth, and prosperity. Once kept only by royalty, these cats are known for their striking eyes—either vivid blue or odd-eyed. The term "odd-eyed" refers to heterochromia, a condition where each eye is a different color. These unique traits are celebrated in Thai poetry, art, and folklore. The Tamra Maew (“Cat Book Poems”), a 14th-century manuscript, even outlines which breeds were considered lucky and which to avoid. Today, these ancient cats are still cherished in Thai homes and sometimes pampered like nobles.

Wherever you go, cats seem to find a way into the heart of the culture and into your lap. From spiritual guides to seaside charmers, these feline figures remind us that no matter the country, the bond between humans and cats is powerful, enduring, and beautifully cross-cultural.