Birman

The Birman is a long-haired domestic cat breed distinguished by colorpoint markings, white paws, and typically blue eyes.

Colorpoint: A coat pattern in which cooler body regions develop darker pigmentation than warmer regions. Birmans have darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail.
France: A country in Western Europe and the origin of the recognized modern Birman breed. The breed was developed and first formally recognized in France.
Cat show: A judged exhibition in which cats are evaluated against breed standards and condition criteria. Judges assess Birmans for colorpoint pattern, white gloves, coat, and type.
Ragdoll: A large semi-longhaired cat breed with blue eyes and a colorpoint coat pattern. Ragdolls share colorpoint coloring and blue eyes but lack the Birman's required white gloves.
Albinism in cats: A group of inherited conditions that reduce or eliminate melanin production in cats. Temperature-sensitive pigment production helps explain the Birman's colorpoint pattern.
Sacred Cat of Burma legend: A popular origin story linking the Birman to temple cats in Burma and a temple priest's death. This legend shaped the breed's name and romantic origin narrative.
Cat Fanciers' Association: A major North American organization that registers pedigreed cats and sets breed standards. Its standard defines the traits required for a Birman to meet show criteria.
Himalayan cat: A long-haired colorpoint cat breed developed from Persian and Siamese ancestry. Himalayans combine long hair and points, but have Persian facial type and no required white gloves.
Blue eyes: An eye color produced by light scattering in the iris rather than blue pigment. The breed standard associates Birmans with blue eyes.
World War II: A global war fought from 1939 to 1945 between the Allied and Axis powers. The war nearly eliminated the Birman in Europe, leaving a small breeding population.

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