Compared to the calculating interactions with people, I prefer connecting with cats. People might betray you, but cats will never do that. I have a friend, Yang Zi, who once suffered from depression. Her strained relationship with her family meant she hadn’t returned to her hometown in Huanggang for many years, and she was living alone, working in Shenzhen. When her depression worsened, her boyfriend cheated on her with another woman, and her world came crashing down. She started questioning life itself.One day, when her neighbor heard her cat, Douya, screaming and opened the door, they found Yang Zi collapsed in a pool of blood. Fortunately, she was rushed to the hospital and survived. Her neighbor said that if it hadn’t been for this cat’s intuition, she wouldn’t have made it. After being pulled back from the brink of death, Yang Zi began to realize the preciousness of life. She even started worrying about what would happen to Douya if she was gone. This marked the beginning of her journey to fight depression, and she became extremely disciplined.She worked out every day, went jogging in the park, and even started copying Buddhist scriptures in the evenings. On weekends, she would feed stray cats in the park. Over three years, Yang Zi adopted five more stray cats, naming them Tomato, Onion, Egg Yolk, Cilantro, and Tang Yuan. As a result, her depression was completely cured.From earning just 5,000 RMB per month when she first moved to Shenzhen, Yang Zi now earns 20,000 RMB a month. Her career has flourished, and she even found a boyfriend from Chaoshan, Guangdong. The two of them got married last year during the Chinese New Year.Having cats really can turn your luck around. This isn’t just a superstition, there is actual scientific evidence behind it. Studies have shown that households with cats have a 30% lower risk of heart disease. In Japan, some companies allow employees to bring their cats to work, and this has increased productivity by 15%. In the pet economy era, some people have become million-dollar influencers simply by sharing pictures of their cats. Additionally, data shows that cat owners have an average income that is 18% higher than non-cat owners, and spending time with cats can add up to 5 extra years to your life.If you observe closely, you’ll notice that people who have a “cat connection” tend to have great luck. So, when you feel down and lonely, and if you’re battling depression, consider adopting a cat. But remember, once you adopt one, you need to be fully responsible for them for life. After all, while a few years or decades of your life may pass quickly, for them, it’s their entire life.

  • Mysticism — Cats Bring Wealth and Good Fortune

    In ancient times, cats were called “pocket-sized tigers,” and their energy was closely associated with the “Wood of the Tiger” (a symbol of vitality and wealth). Especially black cats, which held high status in ancient times. According to Qingbai Leizhao (an ancient Chinese book), merchants in the Ming and Qing dynasties would often place a black cat statue in their accounting rooms, symbolizing “the tiger guarding the treasure vault,” to protect their wealth. In Japan, the iconic “Maneki Neko” (beckoning cat) is widely known. With its left paw beckoning customers and its right paw attracting wealth, it further illustrates the deep connection between cats and good fortune. You can find Maneki Neko statues in many restaurants and companies, both at the entrance and in storage lockers.For example, during the Tang and Song dynasties, people referred to cats as “Li Nu”  and even the imperial cats in the Forbidden City received higher salaries than some officials. The famous poet Lu You also adored cats and wrote a poem for them: “Wrapped in salt, I welcome the little Li Nu, guarding the library full of books.”In Chinese folklore, the Eastern Emperor, who governs the underworld, rides a black tiger, which is believed to be the physical form of a black cat. This belief signifies that cats can absorb negative energy and purify the home’s energy field. Additionally, cats can sense changes in their owner’s fortune. When they feel something is wrong, they will exhibit certain behaviors as a warning. Some fans say that after adopting several stray cats, they haven’t been sick for years. I recently came across a blogger who, after posting a video about rescuing a stray cat, went viral and quit her job to become a pet influencer, earning 30-40K a month. I also know an aunt who has been feeding stray cats for over 20 years; her son was admitted to Tsinghua University, and her daughter got into Fudan University. Her chronic migraines, which had plagued her for years, suddenly disappeared. Cats, with their 220-degree wide vision and 10 times better hearing than humans, can sense human emotional fluctuations and energy fields. If you encounter a stray cat rubbing against you on the street, don’t shoo it away. It might just be sending you a good luck signal.

  • Science — Cats Are Your “Great Savior”

    Recently, I saw a blue-and-white cat downstairs in my neighborhood, and I was planning to adopt it. However, a little girl told me that it was her family’s cat, but her grandfather didn’t like the cat shedding fur all over the floor, so they threw it outside. The truth is, many people don’t truly love cats; they see them as toys for their children. To them, the benefits of having a cat aren’t enough, and when they encounter problems, they abandon them. They probably don’t know that studies published in the American Journal of Cardiology have shown that cat owners have a 30% lower risk of heart disease. When petting a cat, the human body releases oxytocin and serotonin, the “feel-good” hormones. The 25-150Hz purring sound of cats has been proven to promote bone healing and reduce blood pressure. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that children who have been exposed to cats from a young age have a 50% lower rate of asthma. The minute allergens from cat fur act like a “vaccine” for the immune system, helping children better cope with pollen and dust mites as they grow older. Some data from secondhand selling platforms also shows that items posted with a cat in the picture sell for 23% more. In bookstores and toy shops, after posting cat photos and check-ins, store search volumes and sales have increased significantly.

  • The Underlying Logic of “Cat Good Luck”

    There’s a popular saying online: “Men who love and know how to care for cats are worth dating, as they are generally compassionate and emotionally stable.” Imagine a man who can laugh while wiping his wounds after being scratched by a cat. He has a remarkable ability to manage his emotions and is good at providing emotional support to his partner. A man who can care for a cat responsibly for years is likely to be dedicated and patient, qualities that also apply to his career and relationships.For example, being able to observe a cat’s eating habits, choosing the best cat food and canned food, and managing the pet’s well-being teaches a person valuable data management skills, which can translate into career advancement and salary increases. On the other hand, people who abuse cats lack understanding of cause and effect, engaging in harmful behavior that leads to tragic consequences. For instance, a famous influencer who abused a cat lost 800,000 followers in a single day. A cat café manager who was caught skimping on cat food saw their store rating plummet. A high-level executive who kicked a cat in a video saw their company’s stock price drop by 500 million in a day. A classmate of mine who tortured a cat to death ended up in prison for his crimes. Karma never forgets, even if some people don’t believe in it. As the Liaofan’s Four Teachings says, “Destiny is made by oneself, and fortune is sought by oneself.” When you genuinely help others and take care of every vulnerable life, your fate will naturally improve.

The fortune and luck that come with owning a cat vary from person to person. Good luck only favors those who are responsible and genuinely care for every little life. On the other hand, those who fake their love for cats and dogs just for profit, even if they temporarily gain wealth and fame, will soon face disgrace and failure. Ultimately, you can’t take anything with you except your deeds. Life is a personal journey of self-cultivation. Whether one continues down a path of neglect and wrongdoing, or chooses to change and improve, all depends on the heart.