Black cats are somehow associated with evil, with witches, and even with illness.
The simple animals have been blamed for everything from a run of bad luck to the plague and all of the wrongs of the world.
Actually, this particular superstition belief varies from country to country and even from region to region.
Having a black cat cross your path in England or Japan is said to bring “good” luck, but having a black cat cross your path in America and some other European countries are believed to bring “bad” luck.
Having a black cat cross your path is not the only superstition that is based on black cats:
• In Scotland, it is believed that a strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity.
• Italians believe that when a black cat sneezes, all who hear it will have good luck.
• Egyptians believe that the life-giving rays of the sun are kept in the eyes of a cat at night.
• In Ireland, killing a cat brings 17 years of bad luck.
• In America, it’s “bad” luck to see a white cat at night, but “good” luck to dream about a white cat.
• Also in America, hurting a black cat on Halloween will bring 7 years of bad luck.
• And having a black cat meow on your porch or window may mean a death in your family is coming (Shoo! Cat! Shoo!)
Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats, and anyone who killed a cat was executed.
During the Middle Ages, when witches became a concern, the black cat was linked to witches and to Satan.
Some believed that a witch has the power to transform herself into the form of a black cat, so the notion that a black cat that crossed your path was actually a disguised witch was born.
I wonder where we get all of these 7 years of luck references from? Seems to be a lot of them…
Anyways, be nice to felines… black or otherwise. The luck they bring or take may depend on their mood. And Cats are some moody creatures!
