ABSTRACT

Cats emerge as a significant symbol in Turkish folk culture that embodies positive and negative attributes. This study aims to examine the mystical status of cats in memorates, including their characters and functions in folktales. It also explores the symbolic values attributed to cats, their place in Turkish mythology, and their roles within the cultural structure. Accordingly, this study investigates how the cat motif reflects the relationships between individuals and fate, moral norms, and supernatural forces and focuses on how this feline figure acquires meaning across situations and narrative types. In addition, the study includes examples from the beliefs and narratives of Turkic communities outside Türkiye, supported by an extensive literature review and data obtained from social and digital platforms. The findings indicate that the cat motif is widely used in memorates and folktales—two significant narrative genres in Turkish culture—thereby reflecting a deeply rooted and rich belief system regarding cats and the creative imagination and capacity of the people. In addition to the various functions of cats in oral tradition, the study seeks to identify their positions in memorates and folktales. Ultimately, it aims to determine the place of the cat motif within the deep symbolic layers of folk narratives and the framework of cultural continuity. Examining the role of cats in memorates and folktales contributes to an enhanced understanding of Turkish cultural and intellectual dimensions and provides a fresh insight on the symbol and motif of the cat in folk narratives.