The Birman cat is believed to have originated in Myanmar, (Burma) where it was considered sacred, the companion cat of the Kittah priests.   

There is a legend as to how the Birmans developed the colours they are today. Originally, the guardians of the temple of Lao-Tsun were yellow eyed cats with long hair. The golden goddess of the temple, Tsun-Kyan-Kse, had deep blue eyes. The head priest, Mun-Ha, had as his companion a beautiful cat named Sinh.

One day the  temple was attacked and Mun-Ha was killed. At the moment of his death, Sinh placed his feet on his master and faced the goddess. The cat's white fur took on a golden cast, his eyes turned as blue as the eyes of the goddess, and his paws, legs and tail became the colour of earth. However, his paws, where they touched the priest, remained white as a symbol of purity. All the other temple cats became similarly coloured.

Seven days later, Sinh died, taking the soul of Mun-Ha to paradise.

2. Origin

There seems to be at least two stories as to just how the Birman arrived  in  France:

Case 1,

As best that can be gleaned from what documents are available it seems that  two  gentlemen, Major  Russell  Gordon  and his friend, August Pavie, were in the Far East in possibly 1898 when history mentions certain tribal uprisings at that time which were connected with Buddhism and other religious groups eg Brahminism. Some sources quote 1916 or 1919 as the  dates for the uprisings, but verifying any of these dates has proven inconclusive. Regardless of  this it is accepted that Birman Cats were first sent to France in 1919, the latter dates (1916 &1919) therefore would be more feasible, as the Kittahs gave the two men a pair of Birman cats in gratitude for saving their sect from massacre by the Brahmins. Although this story is rather  vague, it states that two cats were sent to France in 1919 to August Pavie and Major Russell Gordon.The male died en route but the female survived and luckily she was in kitten.

Case 2.

In 1926 in an article by a Professor Jumand in “Le Chat” states that a certain Mr Vanderbilt, an  American millionaire, obtained a stolen pair, whilst cruising his yacht in the Far east, from  an unfaithful servant who came from the temple of Lao-Tsun. Mr Vanderbilt is then reputed  to have given this pair to a French lady. The male died en route to France but the female survived to give birth.

From this point on the Birman breeding began in earnest. As there was not another Birman for miles for this poor female, obviously, she would have been outcrossed to a like breed possibly Siamese, colourpoints etc.