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Today we tell you the story of a real symbol of Turkey and Islam. Bred for a long time in the Ottoman courts, the legendary Turkish Angora is still today a symbol of refinement and elegance.
Ancient origins
Traces of ancestors of this breed date back to the end of the 15th century, already then legendary for their fur. With the development of the Ottoman Empire, the Angora cat was increasingly held in consideration at court, soon becoming a symbol of the sultans and a gift for foreign monarchs. The success of this breed became such that throughout France its breeding intensified more and more, becoming a true symbol of court and royalty. Indeed, it seems that Cardinal Richelieu and Queen Marie Antoinette were so in love that they had several in the palace. 
At the end of the nineteenth century, however, Western tastes changed, preferring cats with more rounded shapes and giving life to the Persian cat shape we know today. Precisely for this reason, the Turkish government since the beginning of the twentieth century has worked to preserve the breed, declaring it a national heritage and starting to breed it even in some zoos. Since 1960 this cat was rediscovered more and more also in the States, contributing more and more to making it one of the most sought-after breeds by cat lovers.
In Turkey
The bond that binds the Turks to this cat has its origins in time immemorial and in a certain sense to the whole of Turkish history. It is said that the Prophet Muhammad had a red version of it and that it was called Muezza. Of course, like all symbols of Turkicism, there is also a legend about Atatürk attached to it. In fact, it seems that the Father of the Turks was reincarnated in an Angora with a blue and a golden eye and that his successor will be chosen by a bite of this feline. 
Furthermore, according to the Turks, these cats have the power to fulfill the wishes of the people they love when whispered in their ears. Important note: in Turkey only the white and blue-eyed variety is considered “Turkish Angora”. This is because in the country there are no western “races” but it is distinguished only on the basis of hair and eye color. The white cat but with heterochromia (different eyes) is in fact called by another name, that is “Van’s cat”.
Did you like the idea? We would love to tell you more about the breeds of this incredible part of the world, let us know. The next animal we would like was the Kangal, the legendary Turkish sheepdog.
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