在人類數千年的歷史文明中，動物對人類的貢獻可說是功不可沒，雖然貍奴在人類的歷史所占的時間跟其他動物比起來相對較短，可是牠卻佔有相當重要的地位，這可愛的生物如何從野生、半馴化、到馴化，進而走入人類的歷史，從人類的養貓史可以窺究當時的經濟情景與人類生活的環境條件。本文旨在探討古人認養貍奴的程序，為什麼貓在這麼短的時間內會極受人的寵愛，將中國人的養貓史作一梳理，闡述貍奴在中國人心目中的價值與地位，最後論及畫貍奴之文化內涵，貓符號在繪畫中的隱喻。
Throughout the millennia of human history and culture, the contribution of animals can be considered indispensable. Although the history of cats is relatively brief when compared to that of other animals, it plays a significant role in the history of mankind. How this lovely creature went from wild, to semi-domesticated, and then to domesticated, thereby formally entering into the history of mankind, provides an insight into the economic and environmental conditions of human life at the time. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of the humans' adoption of cats in ancient times and why cats became so prevalent in such a short period of time; it can also provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Chinese cat-keeping as well as to elaborate on the value and status of cats in the minds of the Chinese people, concluded by discussing the cultural connotations of the painting of the Cats and the metaphor of the cat symbol in arts.
