

The third type that is worth mentioning is a spotted tabby cat. Mackerel tabbies, a.k.a tiger cats, have the same coat pattern as the classic tabby, but they have vertical striping on their stomachs too. Classic tabbies have a solid-colored stomach and the back. The classic tabby or blotched tabby has vertical solid or broken stripes on its back and resembles the popular pedigreed tabby cat most people know.

Every particular cat has a distinctive appearance and features various tabby coat patterns: the classic tabby pattern, the mackerel tabby cat, and the blotched tabby. What colors are tabby cats? There are three main types of tabbies. According to Christian legends, a tabby cat comforted baby Jesus, and Virgin Mary put this mark on the cat’s head to express her gratitude. Other people tie the meaning of this sign with the Virgin Mary. People from the Middle East believe that this mark stands for Mohammed, who loved tabbies. Muslims support one story about the Prophet Muhammad. Some people assume that the letter “M” signifies Mau (the word Mau meant “cat” in Ancient Egypt).

Usually, a cat with horizontal stripes all over the body, including its legs and tail, pencil lines on its face, and a distinct “M” mark on its forehead, is called a tabby cat. Before sharing some information about a white cat with tabby spots and other tabby markings, let’s explain what a tabby cat is, and what sets this beautiful feline apart from its relatives. However, the invariable fact is that today, it is difficult to imagine our life without these cute creatures with fluffy or striped silk hair. They are descended from the Near Eastern wild cat, Felis silvestris lybica, (also called the African wild cat), but a lack of cat remains in the archaeological record has made it difficult to confirm how these cats conquered the world. Understanding the Tabby Catĭomestic cats are now found on all continents, except Antarctica, and in the most remote regions of the world. We will share some surprising tidbits that will definitely make you fall in love with this amazing creature. If you want to learn more about a pale tabby cat (Felis catus), its personality, and its characteristics, then read on. Interestingly, orange tabby cats are usually male (about 20-25% of orange tabby cats are female).Īll tabby variations are striking and unique, but a white tabby cat is extremely cute and marvelous. The most familiar tabby coats are black, but there are many variations in the pigment, resulting in black, orange, and gray tabbies. Mary stroked the tabby’s forehead thankfully, leaving her mark as an enduring sign of gratitude.Cats come in various colors, coat patterns, and they can boast different personalities. Hearing the unhappy baby, a tabby settled into the manger beside him, and the baby snuggled peacefully against the cuddly kitty. Newborn baby Jesus was discontent in the manger of scratchy hay and made his feelings known while Mother Mary was trying to get a well-earned rest. Although our tabby does not earn a mention in the scriptures, this is how the legend goes. To heed the call to prayer, Mohammad carefully cut the sleeve off his robe off with a knife, so as not to disturb Muezza when he left.Ĭhristian symbolism attributes the mark to be a blessing of the Virgin Mary. There is, however, a second attribution to Mohammad which suggests that his favorite cat, Muezza had fallen asleep on the robe Mohammed was wearing. The story goes that a cat rescued Mohammad from a snake attack. One interpretation of the symbolism of the ‘M’, is that it depicts “Mau” (pronounced Meow, of course), which is the ancient Egyptian term for “cat”.Īnother lore has it that the prominent ‘M’ is the mark of the Muslim prophet, Mohammed. All tabbies present markings of thin pencil lines on their faces, expressive markings around the eyes, and a distinct “M” on their foreheads. Symbolism abounds around the common tabby, most of which centers on the marking on their foreheads.
