Folklore: BLACK CATS ARE BAD LUCK

Today I found out the origin of superstitions surrounding black cats including why a black cat crossing your path is considered bad luck.
cats meow cats meow cats meow cats meow cats meow ::catsmeow: cats meow cats meow cats meow cats meow cats meow
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Black Cats weren’t always the butt of superstitions, feared, or even considered bad luck. In fact, in early Egyptian times, dating back as far as 3000 BC, cats (including black ones) were the rock stars of the animal world, held in high esteem; to kill one was considered a capital crime. It wasn’t until the middle-ages in Europe that the black cat’s rock star status started to go downhill as they began to be associated with so-called witches. The hysteria of witches practicing black magic had just hit Europe and alley cats were often cared for and fed by the poor lonely old ladies (funny how some things never change) later accused of witchery.

Their cat companions, some of which were black ones, were deemed guilty of witchery by association. This belief was taken up a notch when a folklore involving a father and son in Lincolnshire in the 1560’s started making the rounds. The pair were said to have been traveling one moonless night when a black cat crossed their path and dove into a crawl space. Naturally, they did what any guys would do, they threw rocks at the furry feline until the helpless injured creature scurried out into a woman’s house, who at the time was suspected of being a witch. The next day, the father and son came across the same woman and noticed she was limping and bruised and believed that to be more than just a coincidence. From that day on in Lincolnshire, it was thought that witches could turn into black cats at night.

The belief of witches transforming themselves into black cats in order to prowl streets unobserved became a central belief in America during the Salem witch hunts. Even today the association of black cats and witches holds strong during Halloween celebrations, despite the holiday’s religious beginnings. Thus, an animal once looked on with approbation became a symbol of evil omens in some parts of the World.

However, in some cultures, the black cat is still revered and a symbol of good luck even today. The Scottish believe that a strange black cat’s arrival to the home signifies prosperity, while Pirates of the 19th century believed if a black cat walks towards you, it’s a sign of bad luck, but it’s good luck if it walks away from you. In the English Midlands, a black cat as a wedding present is thought to bring good luck to the bride.

Reposted from YouTube
cats meow cats meow cats meow cats meow
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Comments (33)

for me personally , black cat is a good luck sign
wave Heyyyy! Kasih.
Hi Avias,

Interesting blog. However, what happens when a black cat starts to get older, and starts going to Bingo halls and watching ole black & white movies?

In other words, what happens when a black cat starts to get gray hairs, err fur? Then, maybe they are no longer thought of as good or bad luck.. maybe they are then just thought of as Wise Cats.. or knowledgeable cats.

Just thought I'd give my 1/2 cent opinion here.

Again, interesting blog. thumbs up

Have a nice night and a great day. thumbs up
I personally don't think of them as bad luck or any way...they are just cats with black fur, right? Had one once and he just showed up to live at my house...he was friendly and had him for many GOOD years! He had great personality and would tolerate even young kids tugging him around! Not sure how many years cats can live ..he developed feline leukemia and died after living with me for over 5 yrs...missed him lots!conversing
Avias,

Sorry to hear about your cat that passed away.. and I'm not sure either how long cat's live.

I do know, that I like animals.. and I'm glad more people these days treat their pets better than in years ago.

By the way, I don't think pets get gray hair. laugh . I was just kidding about that.. but I could be wrong.

Again, have a nice night and fun day. hug
@ avias - wave .. If you were a pirate and a big black wild cat of the panther variety was walking towards you, I would imagine the bad luck would be 10 fold..... cool


... grin hug wine
Hi avias, wave we had several black cats growing up and I also think that they are just cats with a black fur. conversing

Would be nice to have a cat and a dog around again. daydream
Cats were revered as gods by the ancient Egyptians.
People have forgotten this.
Cats have not.

cowboy
pointing Ginger

"While the rest of the species descended from monkeys,
redheads (Gingers) derived from cats." cats meow
- Mark Twain (who was also Ginger. grin )

cowboy

Cat Nights begins August 17...
cats being particularly yowly that time of year.
First correction

"a central belief in America during the Salem witch hunts" should read "a central belief in the English colony of Massachusetts during the Salem witch hunts"
as there was no such thing as America back then and wouldn't be for another century).

Do black cats turn grey as they age? Judge for yourself.

Embedded image from another site


Same cat 8 years later, her last day.

Embedded image from another site
avias
I love black cats...I make a point of rescuing black cats due to people not wanting them...seems many prefer other coloured cats...perhaps this is due to superstitions...my cat Emmy is not bad luck...she is a good companion...wine

Embedded image from another site
typing.....uh oh......popcorn
Hmmm....
Lou was the 13th commenter.
On a blog about black cats & superstition.
We all know what THAT means. sigh
Poor Lou. blues
Poor...POOR Lou!! crying

cowboy
Hans...With your description of what was walking toward me...I definitely wouldn't stay around long enough to find out what kind of luck it was bringing...but then I do have a vivid imagination so I can guess!rolling on the floor laughing head banger
Kne...Having a pet has always been a way of life for my family..cats, dogs, birds,hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens even....I loved them all and would sure miss having one to care for and enjoy. Last 2 have been birds...presently sharing my house with ring-neck dove who allows me to be hostess to his daily life of luxury! :))) All animals are different in their personalities...that to me is the wonderful part of having them....when you learn how one is different from the others and you form a bond....that to me makes it a special life experience.thumbs up conversing
Since both 13 and black cats are lucky, then Lou is in for some very good luck I think.
mic
tongue

Ken
Thanks...waiting for good luck...wine
Mic... Like that Ginger look! Watch out for the redheaded ladies,,,they are ones with temper to match..or is that another bit of folklore? But as for Lou being #13 (unlucky/lucky?) comment...guess we will have to keep track of her now to see what happens?grin rolling on the floor laughing And I am listening for the cat yawling that was to begin in August...hmmmm, pretty quiet out there but then again we are in the "stix" here so maybe they haven't gotten the message to start!? laugh
Ken...Right about "First Correction"....this blog was "copy/paste" from Youtube ...didn't notice that!
So am looking at the picture you posted of the cat who was living its last day...it HAS changed in color..thank you for sending...must stir up some memories for you to view it but does help to confirm that they can change fur color! Know you must have shared alot of good days with that cat....cats meow thumbs up
Lou...Love the pic you posted of the gorgeous blackie...too bad that so many think of blk cats as bad luck! Good idea you have to rescue those that are unwanted because of their color....wondering how many you do have? Keep up the caring...there is a definite need for it! And knowing you will have years of good luck not only because of the rescue efforts but also because Mic has pointed you out as #13 comment..you go girl!! And here's something to add good luck good luck good luck good luck good luck good luck which could lead to another blog about 4 leaf clovers!hug gotta go
Lou...
tongue pointing scold
hole pointing

cowboy
avias
I take in pets but only one or two at a time...Emmy does not like any other cat here at home...but before her I had two sister black cats and they were with me for almost 15 years before their death...

Not superstitious myself but the extra good luck is appreciated!!wine


mic
tongue roll eyes behave!!!cowboy buddies
Highlight / Web Search -

> YouTube Leon Redbone - Ain't Misbehavin' <

smoking

cowboy
cats meow
Highlight / Web Search -

> Carson - Fonda YouTube <

wow

cowboy
yay GREAT NEWS LOU!!
I referred to my book on curses & incantations...
There's ONE way you can avoid the 13th Commenter-On-A-Black-Cat-Blog-Bad-Luck...
And it's really, REALLY simple, too!!
All ya gotta do is CHANGE YOUR CS PROFILE PIC!!
applause

cowboy
Mic...Think she took ur advise...rolling on the floor laughing rolling on the floor laughing
I'm just glad I could save her from...you know. uh oh
Lucky I had that curses & incantations book handy, eh?
grin

cowboy
mic
This is my studious look...lol...laugh just in case...scold
please Thank heaven you were able to reverse the curse!
applause

cowboy
Studious look, eh? nerd
Yeah...I can see that.
Good to have variety in one's pic portfolio...
Gives greater breadth to one's cyber-persona.

cowboy
mic
Back at you...cowboy pointing wine
Yep.
cowboy pointing That one's my "Mike Love of the Beach Boys" persona.
(Search Mike Love...Images. grin )
cheers hug

cowboy
mic
The beach boys...

Lou and Mic...Beach Boys are tops of list...love that song"California Girls"...watching the video on here...noticed something.....they remind me of someone with those caps...been watching too much presidential candidate info...now see that cap...Bingo...Donald Trump!!!!! Well, it works for him!rolling on the floor laughing thumbs up
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avias

avias

Southeast, Missouri, USA

Youthful,fun, in good health, non-smoker. Enjoys nature, being outdoors, travel, gardening, music, art, reading and learning. Love a good laugh but not into "put downs"! Positive outlook on life,enjoys intellectual people with sharing of ideas. [read more]

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created Aug 2015
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