18 May 2010

The Good Earth

Hard pillows and headrests, often made of wood and others, have been used in various cultures throughout the world — in China, Africa, India, the Pacific Islands, and elsewhere.

According to Chinese tradition, a pillow could give special qualities to the person who slept on it. A folk medicine recipe claimed that sleeping on a hard pillow filled with herbs and other substances will help hearing and sight grow clearer, attain better health and have pleasant dreams.

Porcelain pillows was also noted to offer soothing coolness during hot weather. However stoneware too would offer that same coolness.

Such hard pillows were commonly used to help preserve the elaborate hairstyles that were so fashionable during those ancient times.


Now, is Tanya using this brick as pillow for better health, soothing coolness or maintain her elaborate fur-style?


26 comments:

Ellen Whyte said...

I love all these old superstitions. Amazing what imagination we people have! Wooden pillows don't sound like much fun though. Have you ever tried one?

The Chair Speaks said...

:) No, have never tried as I sleep without pillow. Don't know why but ends up with stiff neck when I use one. :)

cats of widlcat woods said...

Very interesting info on hard pillows...cats must know lots of things we don't!

JEWELGIRLS KATZ said...

Cats they sleep any where that feels
cool or warm depending on their needs at the moment. When it is warm
my cats always find the cool cement or bare floors to sleep on! What a smart kitty you are Tanya! :)

We love Luna said...

LOL what cool post!!!
This picture is really precious, I think I would prefer try another kind of pillow, for instance mommy's pillow! LOL
It's good because I can feel her perfum! :)
Happy Tuesday
purrs
Luna

lupie said...

Hmmm... Tanya looks like Ms. Zorro...

Only can see her cute cute nose and mouth when she is asleep!

I hope she don't use her claw to do the "Z" on you!

Al said...

Hahaha Tanya is being superstitious! Well we'll not lose anything if we follow them, right? I like hearing old superstitions, here in our countries there several of them, which we sometimes follow and sometimes not!

They say when kitties grooms themselves, a visitor will come.

When someone kills a kitty, bad luck will come.

When a kitty gets wet, it will rain hard.

Old Kitty said...

Awww Tanya!!!

she is a very stylish kitty and knows such amazing beauty secrets used by ancients!

what a wise kitty!

Take care
x

Drunk On Books And Adventure said...

I think Tanya used it to maintain her elaborate fur-style...look at how gingerly she placed one side of her head on it... :)

Cindy said...

I say all of the above! It is amazing that cats can sleep on hard things, rock and wires, etc. Very interesting. I wonder if there is any merit to them?

Marg said...

LOL, great info on pillows and sure glad Tanya is listening because we sure don't want her to ruffle her fur. She is going to be healthy too. That really is good information. Our mom needs to get a brick for a pillow.
Have a great day.

Gattina said...

Usually the Chinese are often right in health things, but the stone pillow I have to try first, before I can tell my opinion and if I agree with Tanya, I first have to try it out, lol !

Unknown said...

Such a cute pic! My Mimi is spoiled rotten, she uses my head as a pillow lol. Whenever she sleeps with me it's never next to me or at my feet but right on my head. Maybe she likes the smell of my shampoo? Happy COT!

Sharon Wagner said...

Great post! Cats find the darndest places to take a nap.

Inday said...

That is cool. Your blog makes me forget my insomniac state. I do need a hard pillow filled with herbs. Isn't Tanya very lucky?

I can't reply to your comment in my Main blog. There is a blockage for some reason.

Thanks for the visit which I sincerely appreciate.

Irishcoda said...

Adorable picture--I'm not sure I'd want to sleep on such a hard picture though!

Jacqueline said...

Interesting post; very cute photo!...We're not sure way, but know Tanya has her reasons for the hard pillow!...Happy week sweet friends...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Annie Bear said...

LOL! Tanya, what gives? That just doesn't look comfy. I guess you want to keep your gorgeous fur style.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

OH Tanya will never give her secrets away!

purrs
>^,,^<
Abby

Pam said...

I think it is to maintain her elaborate fur style. She's adorable no matter what the secret is!

Chandrika Shubham said...

LOL.
I liked the last para. :)

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Good evening!
Beautiful photo!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Dear Friend ,I use the zoom sometimes.

meowmeowmans said...

Such an interesting post! We're not sure why Tanya is using that brick as a pillow, but she must have her reasons. :)

For whatever it's worth, she does look very comfy!

Ginger said...

Is it cozy? there is no explanation for why cats do what they do.

Boom Nisanart said...

Tanya must be a hard core sleep, It is strange that she found hard brick gave her a good dream : )

Everyday Cat Visitor