Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Sacred Birman, or Birman cat, is surrounded by many legends. According to ancient tales, it originated in the temples of Burma, where it was considered a sacred companion of priests. It is believed that cats of this breed accompanied monks during their rituals, symbolizing purity and spiritual strength. The first representatives were brought to Europe in the early 20th century, presumably to France. The breed was officially recognized in the middle of the last century and quickly gained popularity thanks to its unique combination of colorpoint pattern, white “gloves” on the paws, and expressive sapphire-blue eyes. Today, the Sacred Birman is valued as a rare and harmonious breed that combines majestic beauty with a gentle character.
General Appearance
The Sacred Birman gives the impression of an elegant, well-balanced, and graceful medium-sized cat. The body is strong but not heavy, with well-developed musculature and smooth body lines. Special attention is given to the deep blue, expressive eyes that define the breed’s unique appearance. A distinctive feature is the clearly marked white “gloves” on the paws, which must be symmetrical and precisely limited. The coat is semi-long, silky, with a characteristic colorpoint pattern and a lighter body shade. The Birman combines softness of form with noble posture, creating a perfect harmony of strength and grace.
Important Proportions
The Sacred Birman’s proportions are well-balanced: the body is slightly elongated, with a smooth transition from chest to croup. The head is rounded and moderately broad, well-proportioned with the length of the body and a strong neck. The nose is of medium length, with no abrupt stop, blending smoothly into the forehead. The limbs are of medium length, matching the body, with round and compact paws. The tail is proportional, not too long, harmoniously continuing the line of the back. Balance between body mass and limb height is essential to maintain elegance and avoid heaviness or excessive lightness. All parts must form a unified, symmetrical, and harmonious image.
Behavior and Temperament
The Sacred Birman is calm, friendly, and affectionate by nature. These cats are sociable, people-oriented, and easily adapt to various living conditions. They are loyal to their owners, enjoy attention, and willingly participate in family activities without being intrusive. Their behavior is characterized by tranquility and the ability to interact well with children and other pets. Birmans are intelligent, easily trained, curious but not overly active or destructive. Their inner harmony is reflected in their demeanor — soft, flowing movements combined with noble composure.
Head
The head of the Sacred Birman should appear harmonious, rounded, and soft in contour, without coarseness or fragility. The skull is moderately broad and slightly rounded, with a smooth transition from forehead to occiput. The forehead is gently convex, not too high. The cheekbones are defined but not sharp, forming a smooth line. The nose is straight, medium in length, harmoniously fitting the profile without a stop or hump. The chin is firm and well-developed, aligned with the nose and lips, ensuring a correct bite. The cheeks of mature males are fuller and more rounded, while females have a more delicate structure, showing sexual dimorphism. The head overall must appear balanced and proportionate to the body, maintaining breed type without extremes.
Facial Part
The facial part of the Birman is characterized by smooth lines and correct symmetry. The muzzle is of medium length, neither pointed nor square, tending slightly toward roundness. The nose is straight, of moderate width, and harmonizes with the width of the muzzle. The nose leather is colored according to the point pattern, and a dark outline is acceptable. The lips are firm and dry, fitting neatly to form a clean contour. The whisker pads are moderately pronounced with long, elastic vibrissae. The chin must be firm and well defined, giving the muzzle completeness. Mature cats should display a noble and serene expression. White markings on the paws and point coloration should not disrupt facial harmony or the breed’s type.
Eyes
The eyes are one of the Sacred Birman’s most striking features. They must be large, wide open, almost round but with a slight almond hint at the outer corners. The eyes are set wide apart, at a distance equal to the width of the nose, creating a harmonious facial expression. The color must be a pure, intense blue, ranging from light sapphire to deep vivid blue, even and uniform, without green or yellow shades. The deeper the blue, the higher the value of the animal. The expression should be gentle, friendly, and calm, reflecting the breed’s balanced temperament. The eyelids are fine and close-fitting, and the overall shape of the eyes creates an impression of openness and noble expression, a true hallmark of the breed.
Ears
The ears are medium in size, proportional to the head, and slightly rounded at the tips. The base is broad, tapering smoothly toward the rounded tops. The set is moderately high and slightly tilted forward, giving an attentive and noble appearance. The distance between the ears harmonizes with the width of the skull. The inner part is covered with fine hairs, sometimes forming small tufts at the tips, especially in adult males. The ears should emphasize the balanced appearance of the head and must not be too large, small, sharp, or widely set. An incorrect ear shape or placement strongly disrupts breed type and is a serious fault.
Neck
The neck of the Sacred Birman is of medium length, strong and rounded, smoothly connecting the head to the shoulders and body. It should not be too short or heavy, which would make the cat appear coarse, nor too long or thin, which would spoil harmony. In males, the neck may be more muscular, reflecting sexual differences, while in females it is finer and more delicate. The skin must be elastic, without folds. The topline of the neck should appear smooth and natural. The neck contributes to an impression of dignity and nobility, supporting the head correctly and emphasizing the eyes and facial expression.
Body
The body is of medium length, slightly elongated but strong and muscular, with smooth lines and no coarseness. The chest is broad, deep, and rounded, with a solid bone structure ensuring stability and strength. The back is straight, with a gentle rise toward the croup. The abdomen is tucked up, the flanks soft and well contoured. Balance is key: the Birman should not appear heavy or overly slender. The croup is rounded and well developed but not protruding. The general impression is of elegance, harmony, and strength, enhanced by the breed’s noble coat and coloring.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, proportionate to the body, flexible, straight, and tapers gradually toward a rounded tip. It is covered with abundant fur forming a soft, fluffy plume. The tail continues the line of the back smoothly, appearing neither too short nor too long. When in motion, it is carried gracefully, sometimes slightly curved in an arc, emphasizing fluidity. The tail completes the cat’s elegant silhouette and must be free from kinks, knots, or deformities.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are medium in length and strength, straight, and proportional to the body. The elbows are close to the torso, directed backward, without turning out. The bone structure is medium, the muscles well developed but not coarse. The pasterns are firm and slightly sloping for stability. The paws are round, compact, with thick pads and strong claws. Symmetrical white “gloves” are obligatory — they must form a straight line ending at the joints and be clearly defined and identical on both paws. Uneven or excessively high markings are serious faults.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer and stronger than the forelegs, providing powerful propulsion. The thighs are muscular, with well-formed joints and well-defined knees. The hocks are parallel and correctly aligned, neither close nor turned outward. The paws are round, compact, and match the forepaws in size. White “socks” are obligatory — they must be symmetrical and harmonize with the front “gloves.” The socks’ length is limited to the joints. Small “spurs” on the back of the hind legs are allowed and considered a breed trait. Any asymmetry or irregular markings reduce the animal’s quality.
Gait and Movement
The movement of the Birman is smooth, soft, and elastic, with proper stride amplitude. The back remains level while moving; the body is steady, the movements coordinated and light. The forelegs make confident steps, while the hind legs provide a springy push. The gait is silent and graceful, without stiffness or angularity. Short steps, weak pasterns, or misaligned hocks are undesirable. Correct movement emphasizes the harmony, grace, and noble bearing of the breed, which is crucial in show evaluation.
Coat
The Sacred Birman’s coat is semi-long, fine, silky, and softly flowing without excessive fluffiness. The undercoat is light, making grooming easy and preventing matting. A ruff or “mane” forms around the neck and chest, especially lush in mature males. The belly and inner legs are covered with softer fur. The coat length varies — shorter on the shoulders, longer along the flanks and tail. The texture should be airy and light, never coarse. The coat enhances the noble coloration and the cat’s gentle body lines.
Permissible Colors
The Sacred Birman’s color is a colorpoint pattern with mandatory white “gloves” and “socks.” Accepted colors include seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, cream point, tortie point, and all tabby variations of these shades. The body color is light, ranging from cream to golden beige, with a required contrast between the body and points. The point areas must be rich and even. The white markings must be clear, symmetrical, and neatly limited at the joints. Asymmetry, blurriness, lack of contrast, or darkened body color are faults.
Size
The Sacred Birman is a medium-sized breed. Males are noticeably larger, weighing between 4.5 and 6 kg, with a solid bone structure and developed muscles. Females are more graceful, weighing 3 to 4.5 kg, yet remain proportionate and harmonious. Height at the withers averages 30–35 cm, with body length proportionate from shoulders to tail base. The size must balance with body type: excessive heaviness or fragility is undesirable. Kittens grow evenly, reaching full development at around two to three years.
Faults
Faults include any deviations disrupting harmony or breed type: a head that is too narrow or heavy, a pronounced stop, nose hump, weak chin, or asymmetrical muzzle. Eyes that are small, overly round or almond-shaped, or lacking an intense blue color are undesirable. Ears that are too large, pointed, or set too low or wide spoil the expression. An overly long, massive, or light body is also faulty. Limbs that are disproportionate, oval paws, or asymmetrical gloves and socks lower the evaluation. Coarse-textured coat, excessive undercoat, dull or unclear point color, poor contrast, or darkened body are also faults. Incorrect gait, cow-hocked stance, or narrow limb placement are likewise penalized.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include severe deviations from the ICCF standard making the cat unfit for shows or breeding. These include missing or distorted white gloves and socks, visible asymmetry, or white patches outside permitted zones. Cats with albinism, heterochromia, green, yellow, or mismatched eyes are disqualified. Bite defects (overshot, undershot, jaw deformity, missing teeth beyond allowed premolars), tail deformities, or skeletal issues exclude the animal from breeding. Cats with visible pathologies, lameness, or gait defects are disqualified. Aggression, extreme fearfulness, nervous disorders, or any serious deviations from ICCF breed type are grounds for exclusion. Animals without ICCF documentation are not eligible for shows or breeding.
Important Notes
In breeding, special attention is given to preserving the unique traits of the Sacred Birman: intense sapphire eye color, contrasting colorpoint pattern, and symmetrical white gloves and socks. These features define the breed and must be maintained in selection. Seasonal coat and shade variations are acceptable if overall harmony is preserved. In young cats, eye color may deepen and contrast increase with age. Gender differences are allowed in evaluation: males appear stronger, females more refined. Breeding must follow ICCF rules to preserve health and breed stability. Crossbreeding with other breeds, unacceptable color variations, or deviations in temperament are prohibited.
Conclusion
The Sacred Birman is a harmonious, elegant, and unique breed that combines majestic appearance, expressive sapphire eyes, and a gentle character. Under the ICCF system, it is regarded as a breed of special value, requiring strict adherence to standards and breeding control. Key features include the contrasting colorpoint pattern, white gloves and socks, vivid blue eyes, and balanced body type. Participation in shows and breeding programs is allowed only for cats with official ICCF documents confirming pedigree and compliance with the standard. Any disqualifying deviations are unacceptable. The main goal of breeders is to preserve purity, health, and typicity. The Sacred Birman embodies harmony and nobility, and the ICCF system ensures its protection and international recognition, preserving the breed’s historical and cultural integrity.
