There are several legends surrounding their origin, but the most common one tells the story of a sacred temple cat named "Sinh", who was the companion of a Buddhist priest. When the priest was murdered, the cat's fur turned from white to a golden color, with the paws remaining white, as if reflecting the priest's holy robes. The cat's eyes also changed color to blue, symbolizing the priest's soul ascending to heaven.
While the exact origins are disputed, it's generally agreed upon that the Birman breed developed in Burma and was brought to Europe in the early 20th century.