by Jessica Helms
(Newbury Park, CA, USA)
This is Spartacus - he has the less common yellow eyes.
The Nebelung takes part of its name from a cycle of Wagner operas - "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). The four operas are often referred to as The Ring Cycle. The founding cats of the breed were named Siegfried and Brunhilde which are two characters in the Ring Cycle who marry.
Unlike the cats which were siblings, the characters in the opera were aunt and nephew. SIDE NOTE: There were two characters in the opera, Siegmund and Sieglinde, who were siblings who fall in love. They are the parents of Siegfried. But I think Brunhilde is a more recognizable character; think of the fat opera singer with horns...that's her.
The plot of the Ring Cycle is very complicated. Check out these links for more information.
Der Ring des Nibelungen (Wikipedia)
This is an interactive look at all of the relationships in the opera.
Wagner's 'Ring' Cycle comes full circle
The word Nibelung is then combined with the German word nebel, which means mist, to create Nebelung - "creature of the mist."
Jessica
