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Meow – The History of Cat Domestication, and How Our Furry Friends Domesticated Themselves

Khalid Elhassan June 3, 2025 17 min

8. Cats in Chinese Society

Cats - Chinese Tang Dynasty painting of a lady and her pet cat — Chinese Tang Dynasty painting of a lady and her pet cat. Pinterest

In traditional Chinese society, cats were primarily valued for their utility. Agriculture formed the backbone of Chinese civilization, and grain storage was crucial to the economy and social stability. Cats served as natural guardians of grain, and protected precious stores from rats and mice. However, their role was not solely functional: they began to take on symbolic and spiritual importance. Cats were seen as bringers of good luck, and protectors of the home.

Ancient Chinese beliefs held that cats could repel evil spirits and negative energy. Their stealthy nature and nocturnal habits led to an association with vigilance and mystery. The famous “zhaocai mao” or maneki-neko, the “beckoning cat”, though more strongly associated with Japan today, has roots in Chinese folklore and Taoist symbolism. Such statues, often found in businesses and homes, are believed to attract prosperity and good fortune.

Written by

Khalid Elhassan

A lifelong history buff, I developed a particular passion for WW2 history as a child, when I spent hours listening to my grandfather, enraptured, as he recounted his wartime experiences in the British East African Campaign and with the British 8th Army in North Africa.

I graduated with a history BA from George Mason University, then went on to get a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. After lawyering for a decade, I moved to sunny Rio de Janeiro and a less demanding career, opening a tourism agency in Copacabana.

A big chunk of my free time is spent blogging (you can follow me on Quora https://www.quora.com/profile/Khalid-Elhassan ) or freelance writing, mostly about my favorite subject, history.