The translation for Korat is ‘Good Fortune” so they are known as the Good Luck Cats. The earliest mention of Korats comes from a Thai book called The Cat-Book Poems that was produced sometime between 1350 and 1767. The book can be seen today in Bangkok’s National Library.
Like many cat breeds, Korats have their fair share of myths and legends associated with them. It is said that if a Korat has kinks in its tail, it will bring you terrific good fortune. A native of Thailand, or Si-Sawat meaning “color, prosperity,” Korats have been historically revered for their special qualities.
The Cat-Book Poems has a particularly romantic description of the Korat:
“The cat has a body color like Dok Lao. The hairs are smooth, with roots like clouds and tips like silver. The eyes shine like dewdrops on the lotus leaf.”
Smud Khoi, National Museum of Bangkok
Dok means flower, and Lao is similar to lemongrass, with silver-tipped flowers.
Korats were really only known in Thailand until relatively recently. In the late 1960’s, they became highly sought after as pets in North America and Europe.
Personality and Traits
The Korat’s coloring is unlike that of any other breed of cat. Silver-tipped blue, it has a shimmering effect that appears to give an aura. People in Thailand used call this color “rain cloud gray” topped with sea foam.
Korat’s have large, luminous eyes that are green. Their green eyes are a relic of the low light jungle floor where their wild cat ancestors roamed. Today, there are still wild cats in Malaysia’s jungles that hunt at night using their incredible eyesight.
The Korat is a gentle cat that loves to play and investigate its surroundings. The temperament of the Korat is affectionate and considerate, making this an outstanding cat to have around children.
Korats have exceptional hearing. Their ancestors needed to hear every warning sound to survive on the Malay Peninsula. So loud noises from busy households, or exceptional street traffic, will cause stress for a Korat.
People remark on how expressive Korats are. They appear to read your thoughts and observe all that you do. Some believe they know exactly what is running through their owner’s minds.
Korats like to be involved with things that you do. If they can lend a helping paw, they will get much satisfaction of doing so. Because of their curiosity and possessiveness, Korats will enjoy investigating any new things or people that come to your home. To keep them stimulated, having cat trees and scratching posts will be beneficial for your Korat.
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