When it comes to black cats, it seems that they’ve been unfairly judged for centuries. For those of us who deeply care about cats, we’d never consider them to be anything but exceptional. In the United States, black cats have been associated with bad luck for many years. But have you ever wondered why people have been led to believe that black cats are bad luck? Here, I’ll uncover the reason why this myth came to be. And I’ll also share with you some countries across the globe that view these kitties as symbols of good luck!
Here are some plausible theories as to why people say black cats are bad luck…
The Middle Ages instilled the great fear of the black cat.
In the Middle Ages, before the Black Death of 1348 CE, the primary purpose of cats was to control mouse populations. It was a relationship built on mutual understanding that the cats kept rodents away, so their presence was generally accepted. But as death spread rampantly in Europe due to the Bubonic Plague, cats became intensely feared and almost all were exterminated. Thankfully, not all those who lived during medieval times hated cats. In fact, nuns were known to keep these cats as pets. Many medieval Islamic cultures also had a soft spot in their hearts for cats. But black cats didn’t have it so easy.
Not long after this time, many religious affiliates began to believe that black cats were associated with the Devil. The thought was that these cats were somehow related to the devil, and many religious people of this time feared them with passion. By the 16th century, omens surrounding black cats had become commonplace in many cultures. Italians during this time believed that if a person fell in and a black cat lay on their bed, surely they would die. The Normans and Germanic people believed that seeing a black cat meant your days were numbered.
Fear can drive people to do crazy things, as we know, and it took several centuries for people to recognize the beauty in black cats and appreciate and love them. After all, a black cat is no different than any other cat. But during these times, superstitions reigned over logic and reasoning.
Historical records indicate that black cats are often associated with witches.
In colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693, the Salem witch trials instilled fear in the hearts of many. And the literal witch hunt during this time wasn’t exclusive to suspected human witches. Animals were also accused of witchcraft during this time. Villagers who were fearful of these witches believed that black cats were familiars and that they would help carry out the bidding of these witches. These feline familiars were thought to be supernatural entities that assisted with the practice of magic. Some villagers even went as far as to say that the black cats were possessed and shape-shifters who could transform into witches. Due to this intense terror and speculation of the God-fearing Puritans, many black cats were executed during the Salem witch trials.
Today, black cats are often the poster children for all things Halloween. If you have a black cat in your life, it’s essential to keep them indoors on Halloween night to ensure their safety. There are still cruel-hearted individuals out there who will try to harm black catsโand this is especially true on Halloween. And because of this reason, many shelters will withhold adopting out black cats that come into their care until after the Halloween season ends.
Careful, a black cat just crossed your path!
Some superstitious people still foolishly believe that if a black cat crosses your path, it will bring you bad luck. This strange myth originated from European folklore. According to ancient legend, it is believed that if a black cat crosses in front of your path, then this is an omen of misfortuneโand maybe even death. Some view it as a sign of bad luck and will not move forward on the path that the black cat has crossed. Obviously, this logic is flawed and lacks validity. If a black cat crosses your path, they are simply going from point A to point B, and you should maybe try to befriend it and treat it with kindness.
Black cats are actually not less adoptable.
Many think that black cats are less adoptable, but such is not actually the case. When it comes to coat coloring, there are more black cats compared to other cats. Indeed, black cats can sometimes be challenging to photograph, which may affect their likelihood of being adopted. Thankfully, cat lovers everywhere have a soft spot in their hearts for these beautiful cats. Moreover, they are quick to open their hearts and homes to those in need. Perhaps their stigma of bad luck helps them win the hearts of potential adopters instantly.
โBack in olden times, pirates and sailors considered them to be good luck and would often bring them on board before setting sail on the high seas
โStage performers consider black cats to be synonymous with good luck, especially on the opening night of a play. They believe that if a black finds its way into your audience during this time, your show will have a long and prosperous run.
โIn Chinese culture, it is thought that black cats are believed to ward off evil. And, due in part to their “good energy,” as believed by Feng shui enthusiasts, these dark felines are said to possess the ability to “frighten away demons, evil energy, and stalkers.”
โFreya, the goddess of love, fertility, and beauty in Norse mythology,ย was said to have driven a chariot that two black cats pulled. Farmers would leave bowls of milk for the cats to win the favor of the mighty goddess, and in return, she’d bless their fields with a bountiful harvest.
โThe French have long since believed that black cats literally pave the way to wealth. Long ago, the French peasants had a belief that if a black cat were to appear at a crossroads where five roads intersect, following this lucky black cat would lead them to treasure. In southern France specifically, black cats were once referred to as “matagots”โmeaning magician catsโand the people would give these cats the first mouthful of food and drink at every meal because they believed it would repay them with a solid gold coin come morning.
โIn Scotland, should you open your front door and a black cat be sitting on your doorstep, this is symbolic of prosperity.
โThroughout olden times, English people would gift black cats as wedding presents to wish the bride a long and happy marriage
Have you ever wondered why some black cats start to “rust” and their coat transforms into a ruddy hue? Find out the answer here.
