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| This figurine has a Temple Tail |
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Watch for my ad at www.livedeal.com New litter, some with original Siamese "temple tail" or curl at the end
to hold the "Princess' jewels".
Siamese Legends
While the Siamese 'Kinked Tail" has become a 'fault' it should be noted that in the early shows
it was mandatory for a Siamese to have a kink in its tail to be considered a true Siamese. Over time this trait fell from
favor and was bred out of the breed as much as possible. However it is so imbedded in the genetics that it still appears occasionally
in some lines more than others. Since it does not affect the cat's health in any way, many breeders have become tolerant of
this trait as long as the kink cannot be seen and can only be felt by running the fingers down the length of the tail. Whether
desirable or not, the kinked tail is part of the history of the Siamese as indicated by the following legends:
It is said that there was once a Siamese Princess who was frightened of losing her rings while she bathed
in a stream. Looking around for somewhere convenient to place her jewelry, she noticed that her favorite cat had crooked his
tail for her benefit. Ever since that time all Siamese cats have been born with a tiny kink at the end of their tails to hold
the Princess' rings.
AND THEN THERE IS THIS STORY!
A young cat took his wife into the jungle to search for a royal goblet that was missing from
one of the Siamese temples. Upon finding the treasure, they decided that the female should remain in the jungle to guard it
while the male went back to the city to inform the priest of their discovery. So the little cat took up her position among
the leaves and tangled foliage, her tail twisted around the stem of the goblet to make quite sure that no one would try to
take it away. Four nights later her husband returned to find he was the father of five sweet little kittens. But, in spite
of her new responsibility, the loyal mother cat had not forgotten her earlier trust. Indeed, so conscientious had she been
in her protection of the goblet that a permanent kink had developed in the end of her tail. What was more, all five kittens
had a similar kink in their tails !
 Siamese were originally sealpoint, then came bluepoint. Breeders can never be happy so the chocolate
point and lilac came next. Then they developed flamepoint or redpoint) which has the orange tips. In the 60s came
the tabby points and now if the points are spotted (2 colors) they are lacepoint. If they are speckled with 3 colors
(usually orange, white, and seal or blue) they are tortiepoints. My info comes from the British Cat Encyclopedia.
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