The Sacred Cat of Burma

Ears are medium-little and slightly oblique. Well distanced from each other and with internal fur.

The eyes have a slightly oval shape and are of an intense blue colour. The cat usually looks in the eyes of those who intensely stare at it.

Head has a strong bones, more in the males, the head has a rather robust bone structure and full cheeks.

The nose profile is rounded with a small bump. The line of the nose must be aligned to the chin by an ideal vertical line.

The chin must be strong and in perfect line with the nose.

The fur is silky, semi-long and with a little bit of underfur. Short on the muzzle, becomes longer on cheek. Long around the neck, hips and back.

Is a coulourpoint cat, and the point is on: muzzle, ears, legs, tail, genitals. The body is the same tone of points, but in light white version.

The body has a robust bone structure. Males are usually bigger than females. The body is armonic and proportionate.

Legs are robust with big and round feet.

The Birman cat is sweet and gentle. He's independent and lively, he loves to play and is particularly suitable for children and even for elderly persons. When young is very active and playful, in adulthood he'is calm, sociable but never intrusive. He loves to follow "his" human and he's affectionate and almost "canine". He likes to havefeline friends, too. Never aggressive but with a strong personality. He knows how to be respected. he's intelligent and curious and often learn to bring toys and loves to scour the home environment in search of hiding places or new adventures.

Birmans origins are lost in legend, this cat was considered sacred and chosen as a partner by the Birman Monks. The european development started at the beginning of this century when two birmans, a male and a female, were imported in France. The male did not survive the long journey but the female, Sita, was pregnant and she began the diffusion of this breed in our continent. The Birman cat was officially registered in Europe in the '20s.

The legend states that many years ago some Birman Monks, built wonderful temples to their Goddess Tsun-Kyan-Kse. The most beautiful of these temples at Lao-Tsan contained a solid gold statue of the Goddess, with sapphire eyes. The priests of the temple also kept one hundred pure white cats as companions and temple guardians. The elderly head priest Mun-Ha had an especially devoted friend in his cat Sinh. One night some raiders attacked the temple, killing the priest Mun-Ha. Immediately Sinh leapt to assist his master, and as he stood on Mun-Has dying body before the golden Goddess the priests soul entered into Sinh and his appearance was changed to one of great beauty, that of a seal-point Birman complete with golden tipped coat and sapphire eyes. Inspired by this sign from the Goddess the other priests drove out the raiders and saved the temple. After some days the remaining ninety nine temple cats were found to be transformed like Sinh, and from then onwards they were regarded as Sacred Cats, and thought to contain the souls of pious priests on there way to heaven.