No other animal on earth has inspired more superstitious beliefs than the cat, especially black cats.  While most superstitions tend to view cats as bad omens, there are also ones in which they are bearers of good fortune.

The relationship between cats and humans began about 5000 years ago, when cats allowed themselves to associate with humans.  Initially, cats enjoyed being worshipped and revered as gods but, as time passed, they became linked to evil doings, bad omens, and the Devil.

The majority of bad feline superstitions evolved from the infamous witch-hunts and executions that began in Europe, during the 12th and 13th centuries.  During this time, the Catholic Church started its religious persecution of pagan groups (many of whom deified cats), hunting down, torturing, and burning supposed witches at the stake.  Not only were most of the witches innocent of any crimes, cats became directly associated with witchcraft, black magic, evil, Satan, and all things demonic. 

It was believed that cats were either witches that had transformed themselves into cats so that they could attend the midnight meetings (sabbats) conducted by the Devil, or, were used as intermediaries (known as familiars) for witches (and minor demons) to carry out their evil purposes without having to be present at the location.  

When the Black Plague hit Europe, the calamity was blamed on witchcraft, intensifying the persecutions.  In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a decree denouncing all cats, and those who owned them.  From then on, whenever a witch was to be burned at the stake, all of her cats were to be burnt with her.  During this “Reign of Terror”, over 200,000 supposed witches were executed, and millions of cats were destroyed with them, which brought the entire species close to extinction.

Besides being tormented in Europe as the receptacle for shape-shifting witches and demons, other countries have believed that cats were linked to evil entities, too.  These beliefs included cats being sorcerers, goblins and vampires and, were also thought to be able to predict the weather or affect a person’s health and safety. 

Feline superstitions can be broken down into two simple categories: omens of good luck or omens of misfortune.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common beliefs on both sides of the fence, from various cultures:

“Bad Kitty” Superstitions

* A cat can reanimate a dead body, and turn it into a vampire, by leaping over the corpse.

* If a black cat crosses your path in the moonlight, there will be an epidemic of deaths in the area.

* Sailors believed that throwing a cat overboard would cause a terrible storm and sink the ship.

* A cat seen sitting on a tombstone meant that the person’s soul belonged to the Devil.

* If a black cat crossed your path without harming you, it meant you were being protected by the Devil.

* Seeing a white cat at night meant bad luck.

* If a black cat lies on a sick person’s bed, they will die.

* Cats should not be allowed around babies.  They will sit on their chests and suck the breath out of them.

* If you drown a cat, the Devil will come for you.

* Kicking a cat will give you rheumatism in that leg.

* Bad luck will follow you if walk under a ladder after a black cat has already done so.

* If a black cat approaches you but turns and walks away, it takes your good luck with it.

* If a cat continuously washes its ears, or stares out a window for a long time, it’s a sign that a rainstorm is coming.

* If you intentionally kill a cat, you sacrifice your soul to the Devil, and will endure 17 years of bad luck.

* Taking one of cat’s 9 lives meant that you would be haunted for the rest of your life.

* Cats should not be allowed to sleep on a pregnant woman’s lap.  She runs the risk of having the baby be born with a cat’s face.

* If an unmarried young girl steps on a cat’s tail, it will be at least a year before she finds a suitable husband.

* Kittens born in the month of May are destined to be troublesome and behave badly, bringing misfortune to their owners.

“Good Kitty” Superstitions

* Finding one white hair on a black cat will bring you good luck.

* Seeing a white cat on the road is very lucky.

* A black cat walking towards you, and not turning away, means good luck.

* If a strange black cat sits on your porch you will enjoy prosperity.

* If a black cat sneezes on a bride’s wedding day, she will have a happy married life.

* Placing a cat in an empty cradle will grant a newlywed couple’s wish for children.

* For good luck, when visiting friends you should always kiss the family’s cat.

* Expect company if your cat washes its face in the parlor.

* A cat that has three different colors in its coat will protect you from fever and fire.

* Sailor’s wives kept a black cat in the home to prevent any disasters from occurring while her husband was at sea.

* Sailors considered it good luck to have cat onboard because the cat was able to warn them of dangerous weather conditions during the voyage.  A cat licking its fur against the natural grain was a sign of an approaching hailstorm; if the cat sneezed, it was going to rain; if the cat was frisky and rambunctious, the wind was going to increase in velocity.

* In some cultures, dreaming of a cat was often viewed unfavorably but in others, dreaming of a tortoiseshell cat meant that you would be lucky in love.  Dreams of a white or black cat could mean the birth of a child, luck in dealing with children, or the gift of creativity.

* If you want to ensure good health and prosperity, stroke a black cat and listen to it purr.

* In an old English proverb a black cat offers the unmarried many suitors: 

“Whenever the cat of the house is black,
The lasses of lovers will have no lack.”

* In Japan, the figure of a cat with a raised left paw is believed to beckon good fortune to its owner and many sailors took tri-colored cats aboard ship to bring good luck.  

Amazingly, many of these superstitions, especially the bad ones associated with black cats, are still present in the 21st century.  In the United States, most shelters and rescue organizations will not allow any black cats to be adopted prior to, or during, the month of October.  Their historical link to witches and the macabre continues to make Halloween a very dangerous time for black cats.

I have been the adoptive mommy of black, twin sister cats for over 10 years.  They cross my path on a daily basis, receive strokes and kisses, sit in my lap, and sleep with me each night.  These little souls have never brought anything but joy and love into my life.
 
Cats are neither good or bad luck charms.  They are one of God’s miraculous creations and should be respected and loved, not feared or tormented because of ancient superstitious beliefs.