Also known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma", the Birman cat is an ancient breed of cat. With a striking pale coat with dark points and stunning blue eyes the breed really is one of beauty.
The Sacred Cat of Burma, as he's sometimes called, first appeared in France in 1919. A French cat registry gave it the breed name Sacre de Birmanie, which has since been shortened to Birman. Birmans made their way to the United States in the 1960s, and the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed in 1967. It is currently ranked ninth in CFA registrations.
The Birman's origins are mysterious but enchanting. One popular legend from ancient Burma proclaims that this breed was a favorite cat with Kittah priests. One day, robbers invaded the Khmer Temple in Burma to steal a golden statute in the image of the blue-eyed goddess Tsun-Kyan-Kse. Mun-Ha, the high priest was injured during this confrontation.
As he lay dying, his loyal Birman named Sinh, was said to come to his side and gently rest his paws on his chest, offering him companionship in his final moments. The priest died and his cat was transformed. Sinh's fur turned golden like the goddess and his eyes took on the color of the goddess. Hiss paws were turn to pure white, symbolizing the feline's devotion to his dying priest.
Birmans first came to Europe in the late 1910s and the first Birmans arrived in the United Stations in the late 1950s.
Birman Cat Breed Profile
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