Now THAT'S a copy cat! Bronze statue honors famed Istanbul feline Tombili - striking his favourite 'chilled out' pose

  • Tombili, a rather tubby cat from Istanbul, passed away in August
  • He shot to fame after a photo of him chilling out with one leg up hit the web
  • A statue has been made in his honour and was unveiled on October 4

By Sadie Whitelocks for MailOnline

Published: 11:34 EST, 4 October 2016 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 4 October 2016

A rather plump cat who found fame after a photo of him 'chilling out' swept the web, has had a statue erected in his honor.

Tombili from Istanbul, who passed away in August, was apparently known for lounging rump-side on the curb, with his belly hanging out and his front paws casually up.

And now, a bronze work has been installed in the feline's favourite spot, with his chilled-out pose captured for posterity.

Spot the difference: A rather plump cat called Tombili, who found fame after a photo of him 'chilling out' swept the web, has had a statue erected in his honor
Spot the difference: A rather plump cat called Tombili, who found fame after a photo of him 'chilling out' swept the web, has had a statue erected in his honor

Spot the difference: A rather plump cat called Tombili, who found fame after a photo of him 'chilling out' swept the web, has had a statue erected in his honor

Many fans of Tombili have applauded the piece of art, while others are less keen on it.

'It looks nothing like the cat,' one outraged commenter wrote.  

Tombili swept to social media stardom after a photo of him lolling on the pavement hit Reddit.

Many users edited the image with comical captions. They also Photoshopped glasses of wine or other props into the portrait.

Strike a pose: Tombili from Istanbul, who passed away in August, was apparently known for lounging on the curb with his belly hanging out and his front paw up

Strike a pose: Tombili from Istanbul, who passed away in August, was apparently known for lounging on the curb with his belly hanging out and his front paw up

He went on to get his own Facebook page with more than 700 'likes'. 

After the pet's death, a paper flyer was put up in his local neighbourhood to inform fans of his passing.

The note read: 'You will live in our hearts. Mascot of our street, beloved TOMBILI lost his struggle for life after a month and closed his eyes to life on first of August.' 

Feline fame: Tombili swept to social media stardom after a photo of him lolling on the pavement hit Reddit 

Feline fame: Tombili swept to social media stardom after a photo of him lolling on the pavement hit Reddit 

Remembered forever: The statue of the late Tombili was officially revealed on October 4 to coincide with World Animal Day

Remembered forever: The statue of the late Tombili was officially revealed on October 4 to coincide with World Animal Day

According to local media, a petition was launched calling on the city to create a statue so his memory could live on in the place where he brought so many smiles. 

The plea apparently garnered more than 17,000 signatures. 

The statue of the late Tombili was officially revealed on October 4 to coincide with World Animal Day.

OTHER UNUSUAL CAT STATUES

This year a temple in Tokyo became home to more than one thousand beckoning cat statues, in a bid to bring good luck to its grounds and surroundings.

These red and white figurines go by the name Maneki-Neko, which literally means 'beckoning cat' in Japanese. 

They were put on display at the Goutoku Temple in the country’s capital on January 26, reports the People’s Daily Online.

These lucky charms are usually displayed at the entrance of shops and restaurants across south-east Asia welcoming good fortune, happiness, purity and positive things to come.

Lucky charm: Thousands of these lucky cats were put on display at the Goutoku Temple on January 26 in Japan's capital city Tokyo

Lucky charm: Thousands of these lucky cats were put on display at the Goutoku Temple on January 26 in Japan's capital city Tokyo

The unique Goutoku Temple is well known for its large collection of beckoning cats residing inside it, as well as its stunning architecture and history.

Maneki-Neko’s are adorable sculptures usually made out of ceramic. They are popular fortune cats that sit on their back legs with one arm raised as if they are waving at people. Some of them have arms that do physically wave up and down, they are believed to bring happiness and prosperity to those who display them.

According to catster.com, these lucky cats first appeared during the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan. There are a number of popular legends about the origins of the feline statue.

Prosperity: They are often displayed at the entrance to shops and restaurants but Goutoku Temple goes one step further with this display

Prosperity: They are often displayed at the entrance to shops and restaurants but Goutoku Temple goes one step further with this display

The legend behind the Maneki-Neko at the Goutoku Temple is about a wealthy lord who was taking shelter under a tree from the rain.

He saw the temple priest’s cat beckoning to him to follow, so he did. As soon as he left the tree it was struck by lightning, saving the lord’s life.

The wealthy lord became friends with the priest at the temple, and when the cat died the first Maneki-Neko was made in his honour to keep the temple prosperous and lucky.

They are usually impeccably dressed, with a bell attached to their collars in white and red, but sometimes they are gold to bring in wealth to their owner.

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