The Perfect Cat Eye: Timeless And Trendy

Cats' eyes have long been the subject of fascination and superstition. In the past, sailors believed that placing the ship's cat under a pot would raise winds at sea, while Germans thought that cats could help see ghosts. However, one of the most intriguing beliefs is that you can tell the time by looking at a cat's eyes. This unusual timekeeping method was reportedly used by ninjas and even mentioned by 19th-century French missionary Évariste Régis Huc, who observed Chinese peasants using cat's eye clocks. The shape and dilation of a cat's pupils change throughout the day, and with practice, one can supposedly determine the time based on these subtle variations.

Cat's eye sundials

The cat's eye sundial is an ancient technique, originating in Japan, that uses the aperture of a cat's eye to tell the time. This method of timekeeping relies on the natural light outside and the subsequent reaction of a cat's pupils to that light. As the sun gets brighter, a cat's pupils get smaller, and as the sun sets after noon, they get larger. This is similar to the human reaction to light, where pupils get bigger in a dark room and get smaller when the lights are switched on.

The cat's eye sundial works in the twilight periods of daybreak and sunset when the cat's eyes are fully open and round. Between 8:00 and 16:00, the pupil reduces in size to a near-oval shape, and this reduction is even more apparent between 10:00 and 14:00.

This method of timekeeping is based on the construction of the cat's eye, which has a built-in reflector called a tapetum. This layer makes a cat's eyes glow in the dark and allows them to see with much less light than humans. To compensate for their heightened sensitivity to bright light, cats have elliptically shaped pupils that can open and close to manage the amount of light entering the eye.

Cat's eye watches

Cats' eye watches are an ancient East Asian timekeeping technique. The technique involves observing the shape of a cat's pupil to determine the time of day. This method was reportedly used by ninjas in Japan to tell the time. According to a 19th-century report by French missionary Évariste Régis Huc, Chinese peasants would use cats' eyes as watches. Huc recounts an anecdote where a young boy, unable to determine the time due to cloudy skies, ran to fetch a cat to determine the time of day.

The shape of a cat's pupil changes throughout the day. At dawn, sunset, and 6 a.m., a cat's pupils are wide open. At 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., their eyes become oval-shaped and narrow. By 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the oval narrows further, resembling the size of a persimmon seed. Right at noon, a cat's pupils become extremely narrow, like a needle. This knowledge of how a cat's eye changes throughout the day can be used to approximate the time.

The unique construction of a cat's eye makes this time-telling method possible. Cats possess a built-in reflector at the back of their eyes called a tapetum, which makes their eyes appear to glow in the dark. The tapetum allows cats to see with significantly less light than humans but also makes their eyes sensitive to bright light. To compensate, cats have elliptical pupils that can adjust to a wider range of shapes than human pupils. This elliptical shape enables cats to control the amount of light entering their eyes, allowing them to see clearly in both low-light and bright conditions.

Cat's eyes and pupil dilation

Cats' eyes are very expressive and can reveal a lot about their mood and health. Pupil dilation in cats is a natural response to light, but it can also indicate excitement, fear, or aggression.

Cats' Eyes and Light

The pupil of a cat's eye is an elliptically-shaped opening in the iris that allows light to pass through to the retina. The pupil dilates or constricts according to the amount of light entering the eye. In dim light, a cat's pupils will dilate to take in more light and improve vision. Conversely, in bright light, their pupils will shrink to decrease the amount of light reaching the retina.

Cats' Eyes and Emotions

Changes in pupil size can also indicate a cat's emotional state. Dilated pupils can signal excitement or fear, while constricted pupils may indicate agitation or anger. For example, if a cat's eyes are big and round, and their pupils are like pinpricks, it means they are preparing to attack a perceived threat.

Anisocoria

Anisocoria is a condition where a cat's pupils are different sizes, with one pupil larger than the other. It can be a symptom of various conditions, including retinal disease, glaucoma, corneal injury, and cancer. If anisocoria occurs suddenly, immediate veterinary care is necessary to reduce the chance of permanent vision damage.

Other Causes of Dilated Pupils

Dilated pupils can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as analgesics. Additionally, older cats with kidney failure may experience hypertension, which can lead to eye problems, including dilated pupils.

In summary, a cat's eyes and pupil dilation can provide valuable insights into their emotional state, health, and response to their environment.

Cat's eyes and the time of day

Cats' eyes are a unique feature that not only give them a mysterious allure but also provide an intriguing way to tell the time of day. This unconventional timekeeping method has its roots in East Asian traditions and was even employed by ninjas in the past. Here's an exploration of the connection between cats' eyes and the time of day.

The Science Behind Cats' Eyes

Cats possess a built-in reflector at the back of their eyes called the tapetum. This layer is responsible for the glowing appearance of their eyes in the dark, allowing them to see with just a fraction of the light that humans need. The tapetum also contributes to cats' heightened sensitivity to bright light. To adapt to varying light conditions, cats have elliptical pupils that can dilate widely or narrow into a slit.

Telling Time with Cats' Eyes

According to a 19th-century report by French missionary Évariste Régis Huc, he and his companions encountered a young Chinese boy herding a buffalo. When they inquired about the time, the boy examined the sun, but the sky was overcast. Intriguingly, the boy then fetched a cat and, by observing its eyes, determined that it was not yet noon. The boy explained that a cat's pupils narrow gradually until noon, becoming thin as a hair, and then start to widen again after midday.

Ninja spies in Japan also utilised this method of timekeeping. They carried cat's eye sundials and observed the shape of a cat's eyes to determine the time. At dawn, sunset, and 6 am, a cat's pupils are widely open. At 8 am and 4 pm, they are oval and narrow, resembling a Japanese persimmon seed. By 10 am and 2 pm, the pupils become even narrower, and at noon, they resemble a needle-like slit.

Communicating with Cats' Eyes

Apart from timekeeping, cats' eyes play a significant role in their communication. Dilated pupils can indicate excitement, surprise, or fear, while constricted pupils may signal agitation or anger, suggesting a potential attack. Squinted or half-closed eyes convey affection, relaxation, and trust, often observed when a cat is about to fall asleep. Additionally, cats use eye contact to establish dominance, with dominant cats maintaining eye contact and submissive cats averting their gaze.

Cat's eyes and superstition

Cats have been a source of superstition for centuries. They have secured a spot in world culture as revered, respected, or even feared.

Cats and the Supernatural

Cats have often been associated with the supernatural, especially witches. In the Middle Ages, many believed that cats were associates of witches, as many lonely old women fed and cared for strays. Another belief was that witches took the form of cats so they could roam the streets without being recognised. In ancient times, a criminal would sometimes have their tongue cut out and fed to the feline companions of the judges. This is where the phrase "cat got your tongue?" came from.

Black Cats

Black cats are the subject of many superstitions. They are commonly associated with witches and bad luck. In European folklore, witches were thought to have black cats as familiars, and so they were considered evil omens. However, in Celtic nations and England, a black cat crossing your path is considered good luck. In Scotland, a black cat's arrival at a new home is thought to signify prosperity, while in Wales, it is believed to bring good health. In parts of Southern Europe, folklore has it that if a black cat jumps across a person's grave, they will rise again as a vampire.

Cat Eyes

Cats' eyes have also contributed to their air of mystery and superiority. Their eyes seem to shine with an unearthly fire in the dark, perhaps helping to capture people's imaginations through the ages. In ancient times, cultures around the world associated cats with witches, wizards, and more. Many believed that looking into a cat's eyes for too long would bring bad luck. Others believed that a cat's eyes are windows to a mystical world. The ancient Celts believed that cats' eyes were the doorway to another world, while the ancient Egyptians thought that cats' eyes were rays of sunshine, symbolising the sun god Ra.

Cat Behaviour

Superstitions also surround cat behaviour, especially in relation to weather prediction. In mythology, cats were believed to have a great influence on the weather. Witches, who rode on storms, took the form of cats. Ancient myth also contends that cats can start storms through magic stored in their tails—so sailors always made sure that they were well-fed and content. If a cat washes its ears a lot, it will rain. If a cat sneezes three times, someone will catch a cold.

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