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.::catsmeow:
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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
Comments (33)
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.
Have a nice night and a great day.
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. . I was just kidding about that.. but I could be wrong.
Again, have a nice night and fun day.
...
Would be nice to have a cat and a dog around again.
People have forgotten this.
Cats have not.
"While the rest of the species descended from monkeys,
redheads (Gingers) derived from cats."
- Mark Twain (who was also Ginger. )
Cat Nights begins August 17...
cats being particularly yowly that time of year.
"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.
Same cat 8 years later, her last day.
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...
Hmmm....
Lou was the 13th commenter.
On a blog about black cats & superstition.
We all know what THAT means.
Poor Lou.
Poor...POOR Lou!!
Ken
Thanks...waiting for good luck...
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....
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!!
mic
behave!!!
> YouTube Leon Redbone - Ain't Misbehavin' <
Highlight / Web Search -
> Carson - Fonda YouTube <
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!!
Lucky I had that curses & incantations book handy, eh?
This is my studious look...lol... just in case...
Yeah...I can see that.
Good to have variety in one's pic portfolio...
Gives greater breadth to one's cyber-persona.
Back at you...
That one's my "Mike Love of the Beach Boys" persona.
(Search Mike Love...Images. )
The beach boys...