The Khao Manee
For
most people in the US or Europe a 'Siamese' cat is the famous seal point with
their wedge shaped head and blue eyes. But in their native Thailand it is
the Khao Manee 'White Jewel', sometimes known as the Khao Plort ('All White')
which is the most popular and celebrated of the traditional breeds and recent
research has uncovered that they, not the seal point, were the true Royal
Cats of Old Siam.
The Khao Manee which can be identified by their pure white fur and eyes of
differing colors are among the most exotic and interesting of all cats. Some
have pairings of one blue and one emerald green eye, while others have blue
and yellow pairings and are sometimes called "Gold & Silver Eyes".
Some have both blue or both yellow or green. It is only recently that the
genetic mutations that produce the diamond eye have been understood.
The Khao Manees' popularity goes back many years. The Tamra Maew or Cat Book
of Poems (1350 - 1767), the ancient Thai treatise on cats describes it as:
"...completely white, eyes of clear mercury,
this cat if in any house,
brings long life and title,
material wealth coming in with no decrease
will be entertained with all things in happiness."
They were a particular favorite of Rama V, one of Thailand's greatest kings
who bred and fixed the type and were closely guarded in the royal palace.
The penalty (so legend has it) for a commoner stealing one was death...
They all have a marvelous temperament, and show great trust in humans. If
given love and proper care they make excellent pets.