Many cultures consider the calico cat to be a sign of good fortune. The cheerful pattern of orange, white, and black patches is a genetic anomaly that normally occurs only in female cats, and just the right combination of factors has to occur to bring it about. Maybe this is why Germans call a cat of this color die Glückskatze, from the possessive form of das Glück, “joy” or “luck,” and die Katze, “cat.” The calico is good luck’s own cat!
Clare B. Dunkle
