On the artistic symmetry of cats

[desperance]

I've written 2000 words today, which I think is probably enough; so in a desperate attempt to stop working, I was just looking more closely at Mac's coat, to answer a question that has teased mildly at my mind a few times when I've been out of the house.

The answer is that no, he is not quite exactly symmetrical, in the patterns of his fur. He's a tabby, in dark shades of browny-grey (there's probably a proper word, but I don't know it; I'm not strong on visuals), and I'd like to call him a mackerel tabby, but I can't; I've seen cats with real fishbone patterns, and he doesn't have that. Though there is lots of stripy, there is also blotchy, kinda like camo. And where there is blotchy on one side, there is blotchy on the other; where there is stripy on one side, there is stripy on the other; and there is a midline to divide 'em. But the midline does not run quite exactly down his spine, and the two sides are not precisely mirror-images. It's like an artist's impression of symmetry, rather than the thing itself. I like this.

Also, for interest's sake: the word tabby comes via French tabis, and (apparently) from 'Attabiy, the district of Baghdad where tabby silk was made.

Comments

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine refers to a tabby like that as "an old-fashioned brindled tabby"--it's what she says about one I have, a young pirate with a tasteful combination of stripes and spots (although his are iron-gray and black, instead of the more brownish shades you say Mac has).

I've also seen some called marbled, with bolder stripes and swirls. I don't know if that's a term cat breeders use, or if the person using the term was just trying to come up with best description they could manage.

oh, and I have a copy in hand of a new book by one Chaz Brenchley, and have hopes that it will be as good as others of his I have read.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Yup, I was just looking at the Wikipedia entry (actually looking for more information on tabby silk, of which they have none - lots on cats and nothing on old fabrics, how can this be...?) and I think Mac would fall into their definition of a 'classic' tabby.

The most stunning I ever saw was a silver mackerel tabby, black and bright white; I nearly took her home with me...

Also, ook! Um, I hope you enjoy the book... *shuffles bashfully*

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

We are down to 2 cats (both geriatric girls, one diabetic b&w tuxedo, the other hyperthyroid dilute tortoiseshell). The torti is mostly gray, with fractal-like patterns of orange/cream/white/darker gray, like dappled sun on running water. Easy to get lost in it.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Aww. Geriatric girls - I had two of those. Some of my happiest cat-memories, despite the inevitables...

[(Anonymous)]

I believe it's called 'Butterfly tabby'.