Why Are Cats Mythology’s Most Popular Creatures? | Fate & Fabled

Not quite deities and definitely not human, cats have stalked our cultural imagination since ancient times. As demons, defenders, evil sidekicks, and sleek companions, they play many roles in culture and myth. But what makes cats so enduring, and what does our feline fascination tell us about human nature?
Hosted by Dr. Moiya McTier & Dr. Emily Zarka, FATE & FABLED explores the stories and characters of mythologies from all around the world - why they came to be and how they impact us still today.
Hosted by: Moiya McTier, PhD & Emily Zarka, PhD
Written by: Iseult Gillespie
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Thomas Fernandes
Editor / Animator: Steven Simone
Assistant Editor: Jordyn Buckland
Illustrator: Sophie Calhoun
Script Editors: Emily Zarka, PhD & Moiya McTier, PhD
Fact Checker: Yvonne McGreevy
Additional Footage: Shutterstock
Music: APM Music
Executive in Charge (PBS): Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing
Fate & Fabled is produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.

[@johndemeritt3460]

My wife was just mentioning a Japanese folk tale she learned while growing up. It involved a boy who drew cats (presumably with brush and ink) everywhere he went. As she remembers the tale, the villagers got tired of the cat graffiti and banished him, his ink, and his brush from the village. He came upon an abandoned temple and started painting cats all around the temple. Unsure of what might be there that drove the monks off, he hid in a cabinet overnight, waking to horrible sounds, but staying in the cabinet. He woke the next morning to find that all the cats he'd drawn had smears of blood around their mouths and the bodies of huge rats strewn about the temple. It seems the cats had come off the walls and slain a pack of demon rats that had infested the temple. The monks were able to return and rededicate the temple. Of the boy, we know no more.

[@vaughnyyy9736]

its title is Neko wo egaita shōnen in japanese (the boy who drew cats)

[@mangoface7914]

@@vaughnyyy9736 thank you!!

[@barbarawallace6890]

I remember reading that story when I was little; I always loved it. It was in a collection of stories and fairy tales from different places and cultures around the world ❤️😺

[@joanhoffman3702]

I have read that story also many years ago.

[@barryring3550]

I had that on a cassette of spooky stories when I was growing up!

[@AllTheArtsy]

I think because they sit right on the edge of wild and domesticated. They cohabitate with humans well enough, but were not tamed in the same way as dogs. As a ubiquitous animal that humans tolerate but do not wholly control, they serve the purpose of bridging the gap between the known and unknown, wild and tamed, mundane and mystical.

[@rachiejw]

This is the best way to put it. They’re intriguing because we never will fully understand them or be able to exert control over them, but we can enjoy their companionship at the same time. Dogs in a way are like babies, you take care of them and they adore you as much as a child would a parent. But cats are more like friends or equals. The bond is different

[@nunyabiznes33]

They are domesticated but retained a lot of their wild behavior.

[@TylaEvolvingLLC]

Beautifully said.

[@AiyaSGC87]

Damn. Do you write? Because you should.

[@sairajmenon556]

As our great and wise Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy once said, dogs will gladly jump over the fence for you, but with cats it's all about meeting in the middle~

[@magscat3161]

I get why so many cultures see cats as having duplicitous roles in their lore. Every cat I have ever owned has been multifaceted in their nature. You wouldn't think the quiet lazy ginger taby, napping on my rocking chair, was the one going out at night and killing scores of rats in the barn. Both the docile companion and the deadly hunter are valued and loved.

[@lonestarr1490]

It's especially prevalent with young cats. My parents have a young tomcat. Up until noon he's a fighter, constantly slashing out on everything and everyone. But in the afternoon he gets all snuggly and cuddly, conquers whosever lap is available and sleeps until late evening. That is when he gets into his second phase of aggressive restlessness, so you better keep your hands off him.

[@1970joedub]

Cats are tiny psychopath killer :)

[@Zenmyster]

My own opinion, and it is a reach, their skill at killing vermin made them welcome around a farm or village. A cat coughing up worms sounds a lot like a sick human baby, which could have tugged at human heartstrings. And, thereby, gotten them welcomed into the home.

[@felidaesaremoresuperiortha5855]

yup

[@linneathesystemsdruid308]

My cat came in and sat on my lap halfway through this, he is staring at the screen and purring, so it’s up to you to interpret that

[@Capohanf1]

My male Bengle will sit beside me and watch the You Tube Videos I watch, most of which have NOTHING to do with or interest a cat BUT BECAUSE the human is doing it IT is an important thing to do!

[@MerrillKirkley-nn2xo]

That cat is one content little dude.

[@katedubois2152]

My cat did the same exact thing while I was watching 😂

[@samwrought5650]

😂😂😂

[@GingerCATReadings]

Aww they know 😂

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

*“When a man loves cats, I am his friend & comrade, without further introduction.”* 🐈‍⬛ ❤ 🐈 *~ Mark Twain*

[@hemidas]

HP Lovecraft: "Aw, thanks, man!"

[@ARiter]

Everyone who isn't Lovecraft: "Ok we have one stipulation."

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

@@hemidas ROTFLMAO! 🤣

[@johnopalko5223]

@@ARiter Yeah, Lovecraft adored cats but he really couldn't be trusted to name them.

[@ValerieEnriquez]

@@ARiter especially given what Lovecraft named his cat... that's a yikes.

[@sheren_b]

it's really funny how cats have so many roles almost universally across cultures, and itd be fun to see how thats contrasted with the role of dogs throughout myth across cultures too!

[@lilbasenji1]

Yes!

[@michaelharris9938]

Sheren, I agree with you about cats, and also would be interested in the comparison of the role of cats and dogs through time and cultures.

[@felidaesaremoresuperiortha5855]

@middle aged man in extreme debt well, horses are more important than dogs.

[@menkomonty]

My cat began as my neighbour's cat who wouldn't come anywhere near my house out of fear. But when her owner got a kitten, she downright hated it to the point where it would come into my house and stay there until it felt the coast was clear. Now she clings to me every second she has and will literally follow me through my village and has even tried to get on the buses with me. And yet, when you try to give her some affection, she'll try to bite you. Cats are definitely a puzzle.

[@kenbee1957]

Hehehe New rival kittens are the absolute worst

[@nekoeko500]

My cat, 13, is just like that. the difference is that we brought home a kitty, the little pi, and they get along great, to our surprise. 13 is independent but she greets everyone when returning home. Pi is cuddly and purry and seeks human attention constantly. Very different personalities, but they get along just fine.

[@kayenjee]

Peak cat energy 😹

[@MC-gt6yp]

The bite is a sign of love

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

My cats have always spoiled my kittens until they're six months old, apparently their age of accountability.

[@Pippa87]

Great timing! I literally was just watching a buzzfeed video where people who “hate” cats live with them for a week. Spoiler alert: they all end up loving the cat. One of the best quotes from that video was “You’re not a cat person until you’ve lived with cats.”

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

*“When a man loves cats, I am his friend & comrade, without further introduction.”* 🐈‍⬛ ❤ 🐈 *~ Mark Twain*

[@skeepodoop5197]

Gunna be honest. Cats are basically mythical creatures as is. 1; Supernaturally bring calmness. 2; Were never truly domesticated. 3; Reduce sickness due to killing mice and rodents. 4; See you as weak because you can't hunt like them.

[@robingray5037]

And # 4, I believe, is the reason we're "trained" to bring them noms and snacks. We're "weak", so they train us! I have 7 (2 of which are fosters), so I know this is true.

[@xcrazypopprincess]

Apparently when you're hurt or distressed, they may sometimes sit on you and purr. That frequency is found to help speed up mending. So that ties in with #3

[@One.Zero.One101]

Their grace and agility is also admired throughout many cultures. That's why we use a phrase like cat-like reflexes. We also use cat-like references when we talk about athletes who are finesse, quick, graceful, and agile.

[@ruthb7605]

One tale i have heard that is probably entirely myth, but still a good story, is that of the Persian army carrying cats into battle against the Egyptians. It is said that at that time the Persians had suffered many defeats at the hands of the Egyptians and were trying to find a way to overcome them in battle. Knowing the Egyptians revered the cat as sacred, one General suggested that the front rank of the army, carry not spear or shield, but a living cat. The Egyptians seeing the army advancing holding the cats, knew they could not fight for fear they would injure one of the cats and anger the goddess Bast, therefore they were forced to retreat, giving the Persians the victory that day. Now having tried to carry a cat just from one room to another when it did not want to go, I can find it hard to believe that even a well trained soldier could carry a cat into battle, but it is a nice little tale, and a rather amusing image.

[@SImrobert2001]

They didn't carry cats into battle, they painted their shields with cats.

[@dhivakar111]

@@SImrobert2001 same story different version

[@oo8962]

Now I want to watch a comedy movie about this. Persian soldiers just lifting cats like rafiki lift simba and the egyptians are like *sigh "damn it"

[@beth7935]

@@oo8962 There's a comedy sketch about it on a British show called Horrible Histories- technically for kids but it's brilliant, & the sketch might be on yt.

[@oo8962]

@@beth7935 Oh thank you. I'll definitely watch it

[@namelast7226]

I think that dude killed his mum, put her remains under the house and then blamed it on the cat.

[@meganroserebecca]

A really messed-up analogue of 'the dog ate my homework'

[@10pitate]

and killed his cat too probably

[@PirvateerKurei]

I always admired Sekhmet after learning about her. Divine rage balanced with her protection and vast medical knowledge. I think she's one of the best goddesses of any Pantheon.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Wasn't she too violent that the goods roofied her? (The mixed wine with the blood she love drinking)

[@thenovicenovelist]

@@nunyabiznes33 The version I read was that the gods purposely sent her down to Egypt to destroy what the gods saw as evil people. However, she reportedly started killing good people as well due to her new-found blood lust. So, in order to stop her, they turn the Nile into a river of red beer so it mimicked blood. Then, she drank it until she passed out. Then, the deities took her away. Some believe she's a version of Hathor and the deities transformed her back into Hathor.

[@thenovicenovelist]

Sekhmet is an interesting goddess. A friend of mine worships deities from the Egyptian pantheon. I asked her about Sekhmet and she said, "She's not the kind of goddess you mess with. If you do plan to work with her, you definitely need to be very respectful." But she also said Sekhmet is a powerful healing goddess and a good deity to have on your side if she chooses to work with you.

[@raka7743]

you know black cats look like royalty to me. one morning going to college, I was looking on a wall, where suddenly a black cat walked over it, like it was walking so beautifully. the cat was so beautiful, like it was shining black, like so pretty. I've never seen such beautiful cat like that.

[@kelsey2333]

I have a kitty that is the blackest black you could imagine and he is so shiny. Hes a stallion

[@lingsang_in_the_trees]

Mini panthers

[@shenloken2]

Japanese folklore often associates cats with death. Not only could a Nekomata be the cause of death but could also control the dead. Of course being associated with death isn’t always a negative. I do believe there’s also a belief that a cat could protect you from ghosts due to their supernatural senses.

[@rebasack21]

My first cat was one of 5 born in a small cupboard in my room. From the day he opened his eyes he picked me as his human. This literally saved my life. When he died at the age of 4 it broke me. Around 6-7 months later my sister and i went to a animal shelter and she randomly tells me she has found my cat. I was thinking she found one that looked like my dead one. Nope. She handed me this super tiny kitten mostly black but just the perfect white spots to make a perfect tuxedo pattern. Instantly i knew i had been chosen again and that this tiny runt was now mine. I have had her for 16 years in march and she has also saved me multiple times doing things for me most people would have to pay thousands to have a dog trained to do. Cats are amazing creatures and each one is an individual with a unique personality. If you are lucky enough to be chosen by a cat they will teach you how to understand them. And to be chosen is one of the best things that could ever happen.

[@patricialessard8651]

I absolutely agree and was chosen as well. In all my time thus far, by 5 cats who were all different but the same in many ways. As you know it can be be hard to explain but you know it when you live it! Thank you for your story. Blessings!

[@xcrazypopprincess]

Amazing and lovely story. Definitely needing a cat in my life but i'll have to wait to provide it everything it needs first. Hope i can be as lucky as you to find my cat!

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

@Rebecca Washburn dammit, you made my eyes leak.

[@diamondsngunns88]

Thank you for such a beautiful story. I teared up reading your poetic words l. My relationships with cats have been some of most loving and important bonds I’ve ever experienced. They are so so special to me. ❤❤❤

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

Yes. You are right. My cats have saved me many times. Just as I saved them. I have a back injury and it's hard to get up and do anything. But my cats make me get up and give them food and water.

[@petradegroot3578]

I’ve spent a lot of time with my cat; I have chronic migraine and he is an indoor only cat since my previous cat died of a car accident. Because of this, it’s almost as if I can read what he thinks or means when he miauw’s or looks at me. He also is like a supervisor to me, following me everywhere and “helping me” with the things I do. It’s really sweet and he can be really funny at times😅🐈‍⬛

[@diamondsngunns88]

As a fellow migraineur, I absolutely agree about the love and help that cats bring!! Im so sorry you lost one of your babies. Im happy to hear that you brought your other one indoors where they’ll be so much safer ❤❤❤

[@MegaCatGirl13]

Something interesting few people know: through Egypt and Bastet, Mary actually had a connection to cats in early christianity too! Striped cats in particular, because it was said the M-shape on their forehead stood for Mary.

[@teleiosdawyz4044]

The story of the M on the forehead is Italian. Received in gratitude from Mary for putting a fussy baby to sleep when all other critters in the barn had failed.

[@sheenawarecki92]

It's also interesting to look at cats as beings of both dark and light since they're also crepuscular (sp?) which means they hunt at the twilight hours, the dark and light, and essentially wander and work in both worlds so to speak.

[@shivamchowdhury175]

In Bengali Hindu folk, cats of any kind r considered auspicious as they r the mount of Maa Sosthi, she embodies reproduction and well-being of offsprings. 🇮🇳💮

[@Loremastrful]

I extend my congratulations. Cats are a hefty subject. Fitting this into 8 minutes as well as adding analysis must've been a challenge. You guys are moving in the right direction. It is great highlighting notable cat myths but you take it to the next level showing how it shapes people's relationships with felines. Please keep it up.

[@matthuck378]

Cats hunt 'liminal spaces', ie: dawn and dusk are their most active periods. Also, cats are just the best, IMO. I love dogs too...But I've always had a cat.

[@theworldsmostplagiarizedma2436]

"The feline imaginary can't be tamed". What a line to end with. Good work ladies.

[@SuicideBunny6]

I absolutely love the drawing of the cats in this video, they’re gorgeous!

[@10pitate]

Thank Mrs.Sophie Calhoun for that!

[@flame6021]

just silently appreciating all this cat art and visuals that are always great anyway

[@Beryllahawk]

I'll be the one to say it - a purr-fect video! Cats are amazing, and even after being around them for forty-plus years I still don't know why they look at me like they do sometimes - or why they do, really, ANYTHING. They are fickle and funny, and they are little terrors, but also too adorable. No matter what else though, they take on the world the same way - on their OWN terms and no one else's!

[@diamondsngunns88]

They have so much to teach us about courage, self-esteem, boundaries, self-determination and so much more!! 😻🥰❤️

[@tinagoli2022]

as you can tell from my profile, my cats are some of my favourite friends :) glad to know some mythology agrees!

[@semaj_5022]

Man this series is so good. And I only wish I wasn't allergic to cats. I love them so much. I've always been pretty intrigued by the basically universal historical fascination with cats

[@venomousspecifics45]

Have you looked into the Siberian forest cats? I’m allergic to regular cats but not my Siberian cat. It doesn’t work for everyone, but does for some people.

[@mikegould6590]

Constantine (movie) said "Cats are between, anyways", being a reference to cats being in our world and the underworld simultaneously. And whereas they are constantly judging, with enough time, you begin to see the subtle facial cues they give. Whether they meow, yowl, trill, or cry, once you learn the context, you start getting that they are stressed, hungry, wanting something, curious or otherwise. Like any other animal.

[@projectsheep]

Stumbling upon this channel has been such a gift - loving the mythology videos, can't wait to see more!

[@enbyarchmage]

I strongly recommend watching Xiran Jay Zhao's video "Relatable Cat Poems from 800 years ago" after finishing this one.

[@jannetteberends8730]

Mohammed loved cats. He once cut a piece of his coat because a cat was sleeping on it and he didn’t want to disturb it.

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

Smart man. Cats have and will always be a friend, protector, and companion to us. Cats tamed themselves. And they repay us for giving them shelter by keeping the pests out side.

[@kyorikusagami84]

Hoax

[@roygloeckl6450]

I love the Cheshire Cat cameo. There's something about the character that really speaks to me. Perhaps it is CC's ethereal nature or boldness in the face of arrogant royalty, or maybe it's just that Cheshire reminds us that we live in a world of madness and nonsense so, ya know, just grin and bear it.

[@briahnadeanda5574]

OMG two of my favorite folklorist women!! I had no idea they were doing this together, this is so awesome!

[@lilbasenji1]

This was such an interesting video! I am a big animal lover and I love seeing how myths about animals evolved. I find it funny that this was released on the year of the TIGER! I would love to see a dog version since I am a big dog lover and I want see if you guys mention basenjis (one of the dogs in Egypt).

[@lilbasenji1]

There is an African legend saying how a basenji brought fire into the world. Which is an interesting idea that I would love for you guys to dig into.

[@alexandriatrenier7366]

@@lilbasenji1 oh yeah the barkless breed.

[@lilbasenji1]

@@alexandriatrenier7366 yep! I love the breed!

[@JP-br4mx]

Can you tell me more about African mythology? I’d like to learn them

[@lilbasenji1]

@@JP-br4mx unfortunately this is the only one I know.

[@cats_are_love]

to me, theres nothing more beautiful and lovable than cats. i have 3 of those little creatures and they make me so happy❤️

[@KiX-K4T13]

You know you're a passionate person about cats when you have more than two cats. I have four of them myself! 😆 Two litter boxes...my goodness those things get full every other day. And the trash bags are damn heavy afterwards. 😑 But grooming them and giving them tons of love and treats for what they do for my positivity, it's entirely worth it. Fair trade, in my opinion.

[@michaelharris9938]

I have 2 cats, that's all I'm aloud to have in my apartment. But it's good that I have a limit though cause I'd be that crazy cat person who has way too many cats. Being old and single my cats are my world, and I couldn't imagine life without at least a couple of cats. They have 3 cat trees and get probably more treats than they need, but I'm paid back very well all the time with love, cuddles, and all those sweet purrs I get.

[@rimmijohnson3361]

Fun fact, cats in Thailand are called ‘little Buddha’s’, and are supposedly monks inhabiting feline form. If you ever see a cat in distress or living as a stray, you’re supposed to bring them to a temple to be cared for by their human monks

[@IAmTheAce5]

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but _my_ cat certainly acts in mysterious ways; she's old but cries like baby, with the exact pitch to send me running to pick her up; she's fully satisfied finding a place to sit and just _stare_ at me to be content; her teeth and claws are so long and needle-like she can basically gnaw anything down to fibers; and she's a cranky bully to my Pomeranian.

[@ag20085]

This is my new favourite series ! I really loved how you used examples from mythologies from around the world .

[@lizc6393]

I wasn't born a cat person, but damn, I've become the epitome of crazy cat lady. I can never have enough, lol.

[@vamps_rock]

Many animals rock, but 😻😻😻 RULE - large and small, wild and domestic. To my eyes, they are the most majestic of all of mother nature's creatures.

[@asghard5073]

I would positively love a feature length documentary about this made by Storied. Or on any other subject, really, I just love my cat more than anything and this channel is awesome.

[@sayakchoudhury9711]

There is a Hindu godess named Shashthi, whose ride is depicted as a black cat. She is associated with motherhood and child birth.

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

You should do a video on the role of snakes in mythology.

[@jonathan0225]

ah from adam and eve, to jormungandr, and other serpetine creatures. yes

[@sanni4787]

I love this episode but again relating to Nordic lores there’s things lost in translation, or rather mistaken completely. Hearing that in Finnish mythology “cats would lead souls to underworld” was news to me. I couldn’t find any info backing this up, until I found the probable source: one website (not maybe the most solid looking factually) that bases this statement on one quote from the epic Kalevala, and even translates it wrongly. The said scene is one singular instance where cats pulls cursed people to a place called Pohjola, which is translated as ”underworld”. Rather than underworld or land of the dead though Pohjola is land of the north. It has malevolent and magical properties but rather as a land for witches and malevolent creatures (compare to Nilfheim). Even in Kalevala and in Finnish beliefs the land for dead (Tuonela) is reached after a long walk and a river which you have to cross. Otherwise great work and I understand you take the sources where you can find them with this kind of schedule, hopefully just a tiny bit more care in the future ❤️

[@tothboy01]

Indigenous Americans (I think mostly in South America) are known for believing in "were-jaguars", kind of like a cat version of werewolves.

[@MrPink-qf1xi]

I would say similar arguments could be made for Snakes, Birds of Prey and Bulls. I would love to see similar videos for them too. Great video as always.

[@nikhilrajput6191]

Can we get an episode just like this one but on dogs and crows. I just love crows

[@michaelharris9938]

Crows are very interesting and smart too. A lot of birds are really intelligent and are good at solving problems, and crows are one of the best at it. So, if someone ever calls you a "bird brain" consider it a complement.

[@BonaparteBardithion]

@@michaelharris9938 And then there's the parrot family who are at least as intelligent as corvids and still manage to meet the bird brain stereotype.

[@jaimicottrill2831]

I love crows and ravens too! Almost as much as I love my cats ❤️

[@Dreamagus]

I'd have guessed snakes would be the most popular mythological animal, going from how even though they're far from ever being domesticated they range from world-makers such as Damballah, Yacumama, Quetzalcoatl and the aboriginal Rainbow Serpent to world-enders such as Apep, Jormungandr and the Leviathan, as well as other illustrious creatures such as Orochi, the lernaean hydra, the naga people and Eden's offerer of knowledge. Not to mention being the basis of the draconian myth (especially in Asia) and showing up a lot in contemporary symbology that carried over from millenia ago (the caduceus and the ouroboros come to mind). In the epic of Gilgamesh, pretty much the oldest story ever, his immortality was stolen by a serpent. I'd wager they're at leas tied with felines when it comes to mythological recurrence, but I'm no expert or anything...

[@tardooayua6195]

It's snakes... She's just hyping cats

[@myasmith1820]

@@tardooayua6195Snakes and cats.

[@tardooayua6195]

@@myasmith1820 wayyyyy more snakes than cats

[@ltlbuddha]

Chaotic Neutral? Maybe some of them, but one of mine was definitely Lazy Evil

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

How long until this video goes trending/viral? I am such a cat person!

[@TheBenedjalo09]

Your videos never disappoint but this was my favorite. By far!

[@YannChemineau]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="370">6:10</a> In a greek context, you should have used the greek name of Herakles, instead of its latin version, Hercules (especially when later using the names of Zeus and Alcmene as his parents).

[@BackPackBird]

I loved hearing about all the ways cats appear in stories and mythology. Not only good for the inspiration, but also fun to watch and listen to🐱

[@Snubbull3000]

AMAZING video im gonna absolutely love this series. always unravel stuff i never knew

[@kirsten7147]

I absolutely LOVE this duo!!! Please keep doing Fate & Fabled and other Storied shows together

[@M0U53B41T]

I wonder how much of how differently cats tend to be treated can be attributed to how 'alien' in extent their eyes appear to us, compared to say dogs, for instance.

[@00muinamir]

That's surely part of it, but also I think it has to do with how we weren't actually trying to domesticate them. Dogs have been bred to be dependent on us, whereas cats just decided to come to us of their own volition. I think having an animal actively choose our company made for a different power dynamic in the relationship. We aren't their masters, and we're a little insecure about that.

[@4mime]

i'd love to see an episode like this about tanuki and the bake danuki. i came across the bake danuki recently while playing genshin impact and aa its so cool!

[@dadatosu4702]

Oh I'm loving the way you fluently connect more info... cats and witch's, that connection was smooth.

[@gnaistvlogs]

I just found this series tonight, and I'm obsessed. I love love love this format and learning about different cultures and mythologies!! Small question: Isn't Hercules the Roman pronunciation for the Greek mythological hero Heracles? Shouldn't this video have used the Heracles pronunciation instead?

[@annhitchcock3093]

Thank you for the knowledgeable post. I have a degree in Humanities with a concentration in religion and I have never seen Durga ( Hindu Goddess) riding a lion. I have always known her as riding a tiger. I guess that’s the influence of the Silk Route. Again, thank you for being strong intelligent humanities teachers.

[@stevenbaumann8692]

Never question your feline overlords! All hail the meowpocalypse! You should be honored to meet your fate by them.

[@annefoley6950]

this episode "hits different" as the kids say, now that I have two cats living in my house. They show up out of nowhere, and I have begun to see them in the corner of my eye. They go from sweet nuzzling, to nearly suffocating in an instant, and they seem to know things before they happen.

[@eliscanfield3913]

Clicked on the video and all of a sudden my younger (black) cat is in my lap, alternately requesting attention or attempting to bite my knitting needle

[@munchcat]

Held my breath when Egyptian mythology was brought up. Relieved Bast and Sekhmet were described as separate goddesses instead of as all Bast. I know there was a time when the two were merged, but they were known as two separate goddesses for much longer, yet many "sources" I've seen won't even acknowledge as much.

[@BeatrixTomomizu]

found the New Video and I watched it immediately... Just like monstrum Videos... And I LOVE THIS!! And I got remembered that I really love to listen to Dr Zarkas voice! The perfect "story Teller"- voice!

[@cordeiro.gabriel]

Really loving the Monstrum energy in this. Finally another type of video I want to watch here on Storied!

[@israelbecerril6020]

I’ve also heard that a cat can also become Bakeneko, when it’s beloved owner is horribly murdered. So in rage it transforms and seeks out the killer and gets revenge.

[@zacharytolbart5215]

There are probably different versions, but I thought Artemis' arrows were silver while Apollo's were golden; with the latter causing agonizing painful death while the former bringing peaceful painless death?

[@anselmareich3549]

Actually, according to ancient sources, one of Artemis' weapons is, in fact, a golden bow and arrows. Apollon's bow, however, is said to be silver (and presumably so are his arrows).

[@blazecorp]

Awesome show people. Really enjoyed it.

[@MrSerghei1981]

Amazing, short documentary!🌻❤️🌻

[@penny_the_wiser413]

Hope to see another cool episode. Monstrum and Fate and Fabled are my favorites. I'd like to know more about the Muses

[@LittleDergon]

There has been new research to suggest that the Egyptian gods did not have animal heads, but had two forms one human and one animal. To show this dual nature they are drawn halfway through transforming

[@davioustube]

Nice border work with the illustrations. The technique is new to me and caught my eye

[@whatever.1765]

Actually in Greek mythology Herkules’ actual name is Heracles/Herakles. Herkules is the roman version.

[@benjaminkis22]

I love your Videos so much!

[@nyarparablepsis872]

Beautiful video about beautiful animals! I enjoyed it very much whilst feeding the soft predators I share my spaces with :) But I was a bit disappointed that you disn't mention any Mesopotamian material. Inanna/Ištar, the goddess of love and strife and liminal figure par excellence, is called the "leopard among the Anunna gods" in texts. She is typically depicted with lions. Leopards and lions were both associated with entrances (there you have the liminal spaces again!). And finally a Sumerian proverb about the cat - "a mongoose for hunting pests, a cat for its cat-ness" (paraphrasing, can't be bothered to turn on the PC and check for details). Anyways, thanks for enlightening thw cat people of the world ;)

[@rewi_the_kiwi]

Great video!

[@felixdeluxe5060]

Very interesting - thanks!

[@hollyfae_art]

This video was great! I appreciate all the info! It would be really lovely if you could research more into the pronunciation of some of these names/creatures... for example Cait Sith is more like Kate Shee, and Maneki is mah neck ee

[@Apeiron242]

Loving that alignment reference.

[@alex9190]

getting my cat was the most wonderful experience ive ever had. she was so excited when she first saw me, she looked like she was saying "omg its you! you're finally here! ok lets go home" and jumped right in my lap.

[@CerebrumMortum]

cats! my favorite animal in my favorite youtube channel. Great Vid, as always

[@paulbigbee]

Illustrations are superb. Wish I could buy a print of that Freya and Valkyries art!

[@vincentx2850]

Dragons, phoenixes and cats are basically the triopoly of fantastic beasts in mythologies. Yet while snakes/crocodiles and birds of prey both need a mythological makeover to augment their awesomeness, it seems cats - even small cats - are awesome just the way they are. Perfect beings indeed! P.S. Happy year of the tiger!

[@TheLynnz10]

Very interesting video!

[@iamthatiam1618]

My cat is curled up beside me now listening to this video ❤

[@banxeescreems3337]

I thought Kasha sounded pretty, and so I named my sweet bean accordingly. Watching this made me chortle. The name stays, that’s metal af. I thought black cats in Celtic lore had a positive leaning, specifically with attracting love and magic? Guess it isn’t one over the other really!

[@thepeanutgallery6100]

I lost one of my cats recently. It was nice watching this. I love cats and dogs. I know this video is all about cats but I have to say I love both because both have been with me all my life and have gotten me through some very tough times.

[@treasureobasuyi894]

Back in the middle ages, I definitely would have been called a witch.

[@elfsemail]

Same!

[@lostinthestorywithjeremymi9385]

Cats have captured our hearts and minds in so many ways. From the greatest of gods and goddesses to the common companion, felines are deeply tied with the mystical/natural worlds in more ways than many of us dare to imagine. So many stories of cats being magical beings of different walks of life and amongst the greatest of the majestic beasts, we see them in so many forms and walking different paths. (Oh! I think you all should do a video like this with wolves being the subject.)

[@marcusyee2211]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="71">1:11</a> those leopards just look like they're happy to be there

[@lav4hunt3r84]

Duality at the best.

[@DEMONOFLOVEANDDEATH]

I really liked this episode

[@magdeuke]

hi, that was such a great video! thank you so much for it😁 I have one question though: where exactly can one find information about Galinthias being turned to a cat? I always thought it was a weasel. Her name is even somewhat similar to greek word for weasel or marten also. I like the cat version much more, to be honest, so it would be so great to know where it came from! Checked Ovid, Caludius Aelian, Pausanias and Antoninus Liberalis already, but those are quite mainstream sources. Can you, please, point me in a right direction? I ran out of ideas where to look for it😅 Loved the japanese cat stories you presented, those cat demons are seriously terryfying!

[@SadhviJenn]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="197">3:17</a> cats used to wear jewelry in the old days. 😍

[@danielr7866]

Top 5 Best channels 1 storied 2 the finest 3 the top man2.0 4 the history channel 5 2 cents

[@michaelcain9324]

Excellent.

[@anishaditya4400]

Also, male lion statues are some of the common gaurdian animal statues in hindu temples.

[@collin4555]

Mythical cats have cheerful faces, mythical cats have bright black eyes. Laying around in liminal spaces, and stealing a soul when your neighbor dies

[@thirdstarspiritscholar5763]

When my nieces were very young I saw a cat curiously playing with a ghost. I saw phantom spots appear on the ground resembling foot steps that seemed to disappear as soon as appeared. The cat was chasing them as if it were a laser pointer. The steps turned into an orb and drifted out the window and the cat jumped onto the sofa with it's paws up on the window and watched it drift through the window and back inside the house floating above the cat. When it disappeared the cat brought down it's paws and sat on the sofa curiously staring out the window.