The Angora: Moonlight in the Ottoman Court

The Turkish Angora takes its name from Ankara (historically Angora), the capital of Turkey. It is one of the earliest long-haired breeds deliberately cultivated by humans, and was the prized pet of Ottoman court nobles. Pure white is the most prized color, and the eyes are often blue or amber, with 'odd eyes' (one blue and one gold) considered especially auspicious in Turkish tradition. Ottoman sultans kept Angoras not only for their beauty but for their 'moonglow' — the way their white coats reflect candlelight. In the seventeenth century, the Angora reached Europe, where it quickly became a favorite of French and British aristocrats. Today, the Ankara Zoo in Turkey maintains an Angora conservation center, breeding pure white cats. Graceful and intelligent, the breed is often called 'the ballet dancer of the cat world'.