Tradition / Region: Luxembourgish Mythology
Alternative names: King of the Cats
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Katzenkönig appears as an ordinary tomcat that is secretly the ruler of all cats. Upon learning that the reigning Cat King has died, it immediately assumes the throne and vanishes from the human world.
According to the legend, a man was passing a house in a village when he heard a cat calling up toward the attic hatch, announcing that Ame is dead. Later, after returning home, he repeated the strange incident to his family. As soon as the household tomcat heard the words, it cried out, If Ame is dead, then I am the King of the Cats. With that, it leapt up the chimney and disappeared forever, having gone to claim its new royal place among the cats.
Sources
De la Fontaine, Edmond. Luxemburger Sagen und Legenden. Luxembourg: Jos. Beffort, 1882. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://viewer.eluxemburgensia.lu/ark:70795/rvks9k