«The black cat brings bad luck!» Everyone has heard this phrase at least once.

Superstition? An ancient belief? Does it really bring bad luck? But, above all, have you ever asked those who believe in it if they know the origin of this superstition?

Few are really informed people, so we will try to shed some light on this beautiful creature, its history and how we can treat it properly.

The origins

We can start by saying that the cat, because of its personality, has always been the subject of legends and superstitions, sometimes positive, sometimes with quite disturbing implications, as in the case of the black cat.

It was in the Middle Ages that the man was enhancing with this cat, since he considered it a diabolical animal, the incarnation of the witches and the symbol of evil. The black cat superstition continues to exist in many countries; In Italy, Spain and the United States it is believed that it brings bad luck; While in other countries, such as Japan, Scotland and England, the black cat is a symbol of luck and having it at home means prosperity.

There are numerous myths, legends and superstitions related to cats. There are those who think that it is an animal that brings good luck, that awakens charm and unconditional love, and on the contrary, there are those who argue that this animal brings bad luck and awakens suspicion and distrust, depending on the cases.

But despite the long history of cats, they managed to survive and not extinguish; Unfortunately, the same does not happen with the superstitions that concern them.

The adoration of cats in ancient Egypt

It is known that the ancient Egyptians had this animal in great esteem, to the point that they chose it to embody Bastet, an ancient deity of Egyptian mythology represented with a woman’s body and cat’s head. Originally, Bastet was a lioness. Sekhmet, Bastet’s sister, is also represented with the anatomical parts of a cat.

The cat shared fertility and clairvoyance with Bastet and the forecast with Sekhmet. Sekhmet, who represented justice and power in war, was questioned by the priests to know the enemy’s plans and thus help soldiers in battle.

Cats were sacred animals to the point that, if one was killed, the person in charge had to be punished by law. In case of fire or any emergency that required the evacuation of a house, the cat had to be rescued before any other family member and the objects in the house. When a cat died, a period of mourning began for his relatives and they had to shave his eyebrows.

From Egypt, the symbolic charm of the cat passed to Greece and ancient Rome, where she was considered a companion of the Diana hunter goddess. It was believed that, especially blacks, they were endowed with magical gifts. I want you to focus on this particular consideration of cats and do it yours, respecting this animal and its history!

Superstitions and popular beliefs related to cats

Superstitions about cats have always extended throughout the world, beliefs that, for the most part, lack foundation. In short, there are really many superstitions about these animals that have already generated different versions, depending on the culture of the country of origin.

CulturesupersicioSignified which are black cats that cross your way bring bad luck, associate with witchcraft and unfortunately a black cat that crosses your path brings good luck. Blacks were considered sacred and venerated.Table 1: Superstitions on the black cat for cultures

To cite some examples:

• In China, many believe that black cats are carriers of hunger and poverty;
• In Latvia, the birth of black kittens indicates that there will be a good harvest;
• In Germany, on the other hand, it is believed that if a black cat crosses the road from right to left it brings bad luck, while if it does it backwards (from left to right) it is a good omen;
• In Russia, if a cat sits next to a newborn in its crib, drives the evil spirits;
• In the United States, seeing a black cat at night brings bad luck; In England, finding a white fur on a completely black cat brings good luck;
• In the Netherlands, it is believed that the cat is a «gossip» creature and, therefore, believers avoid having intimate and private conversations in the presence of a cat;
• In some areas of southern Europe, you think cats can smell death and perceive ghosts: if they get on a patient’s bed, it is close to dying, or if they approach a deceased, misfortune will fall on the family.

Not even our country is an exception in terms of beliefs about the black cat; For example, many think that «seeing the feline yawn means that a storm wants to unleash»; A cat that sneezes is a good omen for those who have heard it; Hearing Maullidos on Fridays about everything at night, announces a fight; A black cat that crosses the road brings bad luck; And many, many more.

Not to mention superstitions about the behavior of cats with respect to the different meteorological phenomena: if the cat was washed behind the ears, it spends a lot of time lying on the back or looks out the window, it will rain; If you run like a madman through the house and spider curtains and cushions, a strong wind will come; If you sleep with folded legs under the body, it will be cold; If you are sitting on your back to the fire, there will be a snowstorm, etc.

Where does the black cat bring good luck?

However, legends and superstitions about the black cat that brings bad luck are not lived in the same way worldwide.

• Spain, Italy and the United States are still closely linked to beliefs of religious origin. In fact, these peoples do not look good to find or have a black cat. As in China, this type of cat is associated with hunger and poverty.
• In other countries such as Japan, England and Germany, the black cat seems to bring good luck and be a real talisman with a thousand benefits.
• In Scotland, black cats are considered a symbol of prosperity; In Germany, depending on how they cross the road, whether from right to left or vice versa, they can be a symbol of good or bad luck.
• In the Celtic world, a cat with these characteristics was an auspicious sign for a woman looking for a husband.
• In Islam, however, the seven -lives
• In Burma, it was believed that the spirits of the dead, before reaching the beyond, adopted the appearance of a cat.
• In Latvia, however, the birth of black cats indicates that there will be a good harvest.
• In the superstition of the sailors, they wanted to be in the company of black cats because they considered themselves of good luck not only for those who enjoyed their presence (therefore, the families who expected their return), but also as a symbol of protection for those who faced a trip by sea.
• In the American and European trade union policy, as of the early twentieth century, the black cat acquired a meaning related to the concept of anarchy.

Also read:
Superstitions for New Year’s Day [Interesantes tradiciones culturales]

The night and the mystical power of black cats

Therefore, the origin of the cult attributed to black cats must be sought in ancient Egypt. But the cat was also close to another cult, that of the goddess Isis (Artemis for the Greeks and Diana for the Romans), who was the goddess of the night, whose color was precisely black.

The night has always been a phase of mystery and fear for humanity, but has also exercised a magical seduction.

It is the time when we are not alert, we cannot defend ourselves, we become prey to dreams and imagination and, therefore, in victims of dark and mysterious powers. Hence the charm of the black cat, which watches without being seen, is the most beloved animal for night deities and its favorite representative on Earth.

A black cat at night is almost invisible, but if their eyes meet a light, they shine creepy.

Superstitions about the black cat in literature and popular culture

FuentererepresentaciónDarGar Allan Poeel Cat Black as a symbol of bad luck and malevolenciarefleja the dark and mysterious themes of his works «TV series» Sabrina, the teenage witch to the black Vigilant and mysterious pet of Argus Filch.Destaca The association of black cats with protection and supernatural elements in the world of magicians.

Black cats like relatives and black cats in witchcraft

The story is full of legends and episodes that confirm the strong symbolic power of the black cat. In the past, it was believed that these beings came from a dark kingdom to our space-time dimension, which the witches called the kingdom of fairies.

Black cats are relatives who usually come to help people in need or suffer from the lack of something. The black cat relative …