Birman facts for kids

A Birman cat lays down in the grass.

A Birman cat is a beautiful domestic cat breed known for its long, silky fur and striking deep blue eyes. These cats often have a unique color pattern: their faces, ears, legs, and tails are usually a darker color, while the rest of their body is a lighter shade. A special feature of Birman cats is their pure white paws, which look like little gloves! Birman cats are loved by many and are part of several cat clubs and organizations around the world.

Health

Like some other cat breeds, Birman cats can sometimes have a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a disease that makes the heart muscle thicker than it should be. It can sometimes lead to heart problems, so it's important for Birman cats to have regular check-ups with a vet.

History

Birman cats are believed to have come from Burma, which is now called Myanmar. In ancient times, they were considered sacred cats. There's a special legend about how they got their unique look:

The story says that long ago, the guardians of the Temple of LaoTsun were white cats with long fur and yellow eyes. The temple's golden goddess, Tsun-Kyan-Kse, had beautiful deep blue eyes. The head priest, Mun-Ha, had a beloved cat named Sinh.

One day, the temple was attacked, and Priest Mun-Ha was killed. At that very moment, Sinh, his faithful cat, placed his paws on his master. A magical change happened: Sinh's white fur turned golden, just like the goddess. His eyes became as blue as the goddess's eyes, and his face, legs, and tail turned the color of the earth. But his paws, where they touched the priest, stayed pure white. This was a symbol of purity. All the other cats in the temple also changed to look like Sinh. Seven days later, Sinh passed away, carrying the soul of Priest Mun-Ha to paradise.

Images for kids

• 

  A 2+1⁄2-year-old blue point Birman male

• 

  Blue point Birman, showing symmetrical white "gloves"

• 

  Posterior "laces" of an adult male

• 

  Adult chocolate tortie-point female with kittens, showing initial development of points

• 

  A 5-month-old chocolate-point Birman kitten, with developing point markings on face, legs and tail

• 

  A 7-month-old Birman kitten: The seal point markings are now clearly visible.

See also

In Spanish: Sagrado de Birmania para niños