Korat
Like the Siamese, the Korat cat originated in ancient Siam (modern Thailand), though it does not bear the same color patterns. Korats have silver hair with a subtle luster, and according to folk tradition, they bring good luck.
Fast Facts
- Featured in "The Cat Book Poems," a classic of Thai literature
- Intense green eyes described as "dewdrops on a lotus leaf"
- Often called "Si-Sawat" in Thailand, which means "good fortune"
- First pair imported to the US in the 1959, named Nara and Darra1
Temperament
Reportedly due to acute senses, Korats are typically cautious and easily startled. They are gentle with people, particularly children, but assertive with other felines.1
The Korat in Folklore
A reputation for mystery is nothing unusual for cats, but Korats hold a lofty place in the mythology of Thailand. They are symbols of fertility and prosperity, and may even have been taken into battle on the shoulders of warriors. An ancient manuscript housed at the Bangkok National Library describes the Korat this way: "The hairs are smooth, with roots like clouds and tips like silver. The eyes shine like dewdrops on a lotus leaf."2
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