Cats and kittens
Traditional meaning and context
The received Zhougong Jiemeng associates a cat catching a mouse with a substantial financial gain. That is a specific traditional omen, rather than a meaning assigned to every cat. This passage has no separate black-cat or kitten reading, so their colour or age should not be used to invent one.
A cat catches a mouse
The book associates this successful catch with a substantial gain in wealth. The cat's action, rather than its presence alone, is the stated basis.
These are historical omen associations, not evidence of what will happen to you or your family.
MingSez’s reading
A cat catching prey makes pursuit and completion central; a kitten needing care gives the scene a different task. We read the animal's behaviour and your response before reaching for familiar ideas such as independence or comfort. A pet may also bring an ordinary relationship into the dream.
How the scene changes the meaning
A cat catches a mouse and the chase ends.
In our reading, the scene has moved from pursuit to completion. Notice whether you welcomed that outcome or felt concern for the mouse.
You pick up a small kitten and keep it warm.
Care and vulnerability are present in the action. This offers a more fitting starting point than applying the old successful-hunt omen.
A question to take with you: Was the cat pursuing something, receiving care, or simply keeping you company?
Sources and related reading
- Received Zhougong Jiemeng: Dragons, Snakes, Birds and Beasts
Wikisource revision 7907671. Animal-action entries in the section Dragons, Snakes, Birds and Beasts. The underlying print edition is unidentified; the title does not establish authorship by the historical Duke of Zhou.