Animal Facts
Black cats weren’t always considered bad luck.
The belief that black cats bring bad luck is a superstition that has persisted in various cultures for centuries. The idea of black cats being unlucky may have arisen from an ancient Greek myth and gained favor in the Middle Ages. After the goddess Hera transformed her servant into a black cat as a punishment, the cat aided Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. During the 13th century, Conrad of Marburg was the papal inquisitor at the time of Pope Gregory IX possessed strong beliefs about cats and used confessions to back his belief that black cats were Satan in a fur coat. This led to the Pope declaring war on the cats demanding they carried Satan’s spirit around and, therefore, were not to be trusted. Sadly, there was a mass elimination of these cats and shortly after came the plaque. Looking back it was likely the fleas on the rats that thrived without the cats that led to the demise. But these events led to the superstition that black cats are unlucky which persists still today.
However, in some cultures, black cats are actually considered symbols of good luck and prosperity. For example, in ancient Egyptian mythology, cats in general, including black ones, were revered and thought to bring good fortune. Similarly, in some parts of Europe, black cats were believed to protect sailors and their ships from harm. In Japan, black cats can bring love or fortune. An English bride receiving a black cat as a gift will have a happy marriage, while having one appear on your doorstep in Scotland signals prosperity is on its way. The French call black cats “Money Cats,” and treating them with respect can bring riches. British sailors often brought cats on board to deal with the mice, but having a black cat could also ensure a safe return to shore. The wives of fishermen kept black cats in the home for the same reason.
Nevertheless, the color of a cat has no bearing on its behavior or the luck it may bring. Black cats, like cats of any other color, are simply animals, and their behavior and the events in life are not determined by their fur color. Don’t be afraid, adopt a black cat today!
Amarillo SPCA
