1. Ancient Egyptian mythology
In ancient Egyptian mythology, cats were sacred animals and were often associated with the gods. One of the most important Egyptian gods was Ra, the sun god. Ra was believed to have taken the form of a cat at times, and he was said to have nine lives. This may have led to the belief that all cats have nine lives.
2. The number nine
The number nine has long been considered a lucky number in many cultures. In Chinese culture, the number nine is associated with immortality. In ancient Greece, the number nine was associated with the Muses, who were the goddesses of the arts. The number nine is also mentioned several times in the Bible, and it is often seen as a symbol of completeness or perfection.
3. Cats' resilience
Cats are well-known for their resilience and ability to survive in difficult conditions. They can often escape from dangerous situations that would kill other animals. This may have led to the belief that cats have multiple lives.
4. Misunderstanding
Another possibility is that the phrase "a cat has nine lives" was originally misinterpreted. It may have been meant to convey the idea that cats are very difficult to kill, rather than literally having nine lives. Over time, the phrase may have been taken literally and the belief in a cat's nine lives became widespread.
It is also worth noting that the belief in a cat's nine lives is not universal. In some cultures, cats are believed to have only one life, just like other animals.