Have you ever wondered how cat owners come up with names for their beloved pets? It's said that "Mimi" is the most common cat name. Inspirations for cat names often come from food items or various reduplicated words-those cute, repetitive sounds that cat lovers adore!
But what about ancient times? How did people in the past name their cats? You might be curious, and the answer lies in the names given by one of the Qing Dynasty's emperors. Surprisingly, the exalted Emperor Qianlong was a passionate cat enthusiast. He owned at least ten cats, each with its own unique and poetic name!
The Qing imperial collection's old illustrated album "Li Nu Ying" (狸奴影) features the portraits of ten cats favored by Emperor Qianlong. The artist's brushwork brings these cats to life vividly. If you look closely, the names next to them carry a literary and artistic flair. From the meanings of these names, we can glimpse Qianlong's wishes for the world and how each name reflects the cat's personality. I humbly admit my own knowledge pales in comparison to Emperor Qianlong's.
The Names of Qianlong's Cats
- Fei Di (飛睇)
- Fan Xue (翻雪) - Could this be an adorable Scottish Fold cat?!
- Pu Fu (普福)
- Miao Jing (妙靜)
- Ren Zhao (仁照)
- Han Xu (涵虛) - Looks a bit like a Siberian cat?
- Qing Ning (清寧)
- Ling Xiang (苓香)
- Cai Fang (采芳)
- Wu Cang (舞蒼) - This name sounds like the most lively one among them!
A Priceless Cat Bowl
Legend has it that this Ru kiln narcissus basin served as a cat's food bowl. At a Sotheby's auction, it was valued at an astonishing 294 million Hong Kong dollars. (Fortunately, the cats didn't break it!)
Ru kiln narcissus basin, reputedly used as a cat's food bowl, valued at 294 million HKD at Sotheby's auction.
The Special Status of Cats in the Imperial Court
Since ancient times, dogs have been considered humans' best friends, so it was not unusual to keep dogs in the imperial palace. However, emperors who loved cats were rarer. Cats were usually the favorites of the empresses and concubines in the harem. Perhaps raising large dogs required more food and effort, making cats a more convenient and cherished companion.
In summary, cat naming traditions have evolved from simple, common names like "Mimi" to poetic and meaningful names bestowed by emperors. These names reflect not only the cats' personalities but also the cultural and artistic values of their times.
