Cat watches over Seventh Month offering, netizens wonder if it can see spirits
A video of a cat sitting very still in front of a Hungry Ghost Festival food offering has gone viral, with many netizens suggesting the vested tabby's vigil has something to do with the supernatural.
The 23-second video, posted on Sept 21 by TikTokker jeul4li, shows the cat gazing intently at the offering. It looks away briefly to regard the person taking the video, meowing as if in acknowledgment, before returning its gaze to the offering.
At press time, the video had garnered 123,700 views, 12,800 reactions and 155 comments.
Many praised the cat - mostly in jest - for respecting the spirits associated with the seventh lunar month festival.
"Why the cat is not touching the offering, because cat can sense and see the souls around during hungry ghost festival time, that's why this cat look so still dare not move a inch," said one TIkTok user.
"Cat pay respect to hungry ghost eating food," said another.
Yet another said: "This is a very good cat, he is praying to his ancestors."
Several thought the cat was awaiting its turn. "Cat is patiently waiting for the dead to finish eating first," said one.
"The cat knew that must let the guest to eat first then he will only go for the leftover food," another said.
One commenter went further, suggesting there are no felines in the netherworld: "Maybe the spirit eating food while petting the cat because hell no cat to pet."
There were more mundane explanations, too.
"Jaga (guarding) make sure no rat steals the food," said one.
One user thought the sentinel feline's guard duty had nothing to do with ghosts.
"Fyi, that cat is in ambush mode, but it's not about the food. Probably some insect like cockroaches or flys are moving around the offerings there. Cat usually wont wait there for common food but they like to sniff out whether its safe and good to eat," said the user.
Another used this opportunity to explain the difference between cats and dogs.
"Dogs: they give me food, they must be gods. Cats: they give me food, i must be a god."
One sage user said it offered a lesson in tolerance and respect: "Cat also respectful. Human must learn."
