Throughout the millennia of human history and culture, the contribution of animals can be considered indispensable. Although the history of cats is relatively brief when compared to that of other animals, it plays a significant role in the history of mankind. How this lovely creature went from wild, to semi-domesticated, and then to domesticated, thereby formally entering into the history of mankind, provides an insight into the economic and environmental conditions of human life at the time. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of the humans' adoption of cats in ancient times and why cats became so prevalent in such a short period of time; it can also provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Chinese cat-keeping as well as to elaborate on the value and status of cats in the minds of the Chinese people, concluded by discussing the cultural connotations of the painting of the Cats and the metaphor of the cat symbol in arts.
中國人豢養貍奴文化史之縱觀=An overview of the cultural history of theChinese people
