The Wilat or Wilat cat (Thai: วิ ลาศ , [ wí.làt] ) the origin of this name comes from the Thai word "วิลาศ" which means beauty. The Wilat cat got its name from its black fur which resembles the richness of the soil.[1] As its appearance described in traditional Thai scriptures, which originated in Thailand.

In these ancient texts, cats are classified into 23 groups based on their fur patterns and specific behaviors. Of these, 6 are considered unlucky, while the remaining 17 are thought to bring good fortune. 10 of the lucky cats are black. Wilat cat are believed to grant their owners wealth, prosperity, good health, and protection from danger and bad omens.[2]

Wilat
Portrait of Wilat cat from Treatise on Cats
OriginThailand
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

History

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Wilat cat was mentioned in the manuscripts known as the Tamra Maew, or Treatise on Cats. These records describe both lucky and unlucky cats with their portraits. They are believed to have been created during the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), but the surviving manuscripts date after the redevelopment of Bangkok (starting 1782). These treatises, which may represent the world's oldest breed descriptions, typically mention seventeen varieties of fortunate cats, though some versions list up to twenty-two.[1]

In 2011, Great Britain discovered the breeding manuscript of a Thai ancient cats breeds in Thailand, many researchers believed that the breeding process begins back in the 14th century even if the Thai Treatise on cat was created in the 19th century.[3]

 
Page from a copy of Tamra Maew (The Cat-Book Poems)

Description

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Wilat cat has green eyes and is known for its bicolor fur ,which are black fur combined with specific white fur patterns, as mentioned in Treatise on Cats. [4] There are nine white spots located on:

1.The ears (one spot on each ear)

2.All four legs (one spot on each leg)

3.The belly

4.The back

5.The tail


Background

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Wilat cat is categorized as one of the 12 lost breeds, since the fall of Ayuthaya in the 18th century. Most Thai cat breeds have also disappeared along with Thai breeding manuscripts that were burned during the war period, not many lasted until the Rattanakosin era.[5]

The last update of found records from August 2017 said that there are 10 Wilat cat, but they're still distinguished and only match 50% of all the specific appearance mentioned in manuscripts, maybe it's because that the original breeds has already gone extinct, on what we have found is the mixed breeding. From Thai breeding manuscript, Wilat cats are known for their fur, which full of patterns compared to other breeds.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Clutterbuck, Martin. "Inventory / Auspicious Cats | Martin Clutterbuck". cabinetmagazine.org.
  2. ^ "Black Cats are Lucky – Thai Cats and the Thai People – Thailand Foundation". www.thailandfoundation.or.th.
  3. ^ Breedlove, B.; Igunma, J. (2020). "In Consideration of Our Mutual Relationship with Cats - PMC". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 26 (12): 3108–3109. doi:10.3201/eid2612.AC2612. PMC 7706921.
  4. ^ "ฐานข้อมูลจารึกในประเทศไทย | อ่านตำราแมวไทย ฉบับ หมอเห ณ วัดท่าพูด ตอนที่ 1 : แมววิลาศ".
  5. ^ a b "แมววิลาศ". June 5, 2017.