The cat comes from the feline family ---as does The Lion, Leopard, Tiger, Cougar/Jaguar, Cheetah, Wildcat, Bobcat, and other feline variants. According to the noted Masonic scholar, Albert G. Mackey, 33° and a Knight Templar; who stated the following: "The Lion was regarded as a symbol of strength and sovereignty". Mackey further states: "The connection of (King) Solomon, as the Chief of the Tribe of Judah, with the Lion, which was the achievement of the Tribe, has caused this expression, to be referred, in the Third Degree, to Him who brought life and immortality to light". (Meaning a reference to the Sovereignty of Almighty God). Mackey goes on to describe the colloquial sayings such as "the Lion's Paw," and "the Lion's Grip," as unique "Masonic Symbols" in Ancient Craft Masonry.
Even with the Imperial Council of the Mystic Shrine of North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.) when it was founded in New York City in 1872 by Dr. Walter M. Fleming, 33° and a Past Commander of his Knight Templar Commandery (Columbian #1 at NYC) along with his friend, the famous actor: William J. "Billy" Florence, 33° and a member of Pittsburgh Commandery #1 of Knights Templar of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) who assisted Fleming in co-founding "The Shrine" -- they jointly agreed that the Emblem of the Order shall be a Crescent composed of two Claws of a Royal Bengal Tiger (united together by 'the Keystone' of Royal Arch Masonry), with the face of a Sphinx super-imposed on the 'face' of the keystone. Beneath the keystone ---and within the Crescent, was to hang the 5-Pointed "Star of Bethlehem" (denoting the York Rite's Christian influence upon the Order); and above the Crescent was to be a Scimitar (denoting the Scottish Rite's multi-Faith influence upon the order). Membership in one Rite (or the other) (and/or both Rites) was a prerequisite to become a Shriner until the year 2000. Sadly....as prerequisites fade ---the knowledge of the historical basis of the Emblem begins to fade from peoples' memories, as well. The "Official Motto on the jewel" of The Shrine was: "Robur et Furor", which translates to "Strength and Fury". Today, the jewels are made from artificial materials and not real tiger claws (out of respect for the Animals) ...but the original jewels were real tiger claws. They usually were derived from already pre-deceased animals...so no animals were harmed or 'harvested' merely to manufacture a jewel/emblem. The jewels (especially old 'Past Potentate jewels' were highly prized, and they reflected the historical connotation of Sovereignty.
Therefore, feline virtues have been seen in Antiquity, and gradually adapted in our modern-era. Back when my Great Grandfather, George White was a Mason, in the late 1800s and early 1900s...some Masonic Lodges gave out Souvenir Cards such as that of "The Masonic Cat" (pictured above). At first blush: it looks cute to see a cat wearing a collar with the Square and Compasses and the letter "G" about its neck. While the main purpose of the card was to generate a 'smile' --- it also had another purpose: to remind a Mason to exhibit (as much as humanly possible) the more nobler characteristics of a cat:- A Cat walks carefully; and has an excellent balance of muscle and bone, to support a stout skeleton. - A Cat's ears are decorative as well as functional. The upper-limit of a cat's hearing is higher than a dog's....and almost two (2) Octaves higher than a human's. There is no mistaking the intent of a cat's ears when they are pinned-back. - The Eyes. The eyes of a Cat are perhaps the most vital of a cat's features, which can go from round to almost almond-shaped. To us, as Masons and as Masonic Rosicrucians ---- We might pay special attention to this next statement: CATS' EYES ARE EXCELLENT GLEANERS OF LIGHT. Their pupils can dilate to a soulful 1/2 inch width or as narrow as a tiny slit.
