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Superstition is deeply embedded in human culture, with animals often caught up in these beliefs, sometimes leading to the endangerment of entire species. Yet, few animals have been the subject of as many myths as black cats.
Black cats are notorious for their mixed reputations, both revered and feared. Here, we’ll explore some of the more bizarre beliefs surrounding these mysterious midnight creatures and separate fact from fiction.
10. Black Cats Bring Misfortune
Is your feline friend the Devil in disguise? When your cat misses the litter box yet again, it might feel like it. But back in 1233, Pope Gregory IX declared black cats to be agents of the Devil, and their fate took a dark turn from then on.
Black cats have long been misunderstood and mistreated, much like women accused of being witches during the medieval period. More recently, studies have shown that black cats are less likely to be adopted in animal shelters, often taking nearly a week longer to find homes compared to cats of other colors.
So why this odd belief that black cats are linked to evil? Interestingly, it likely stems from the opposing idea that black cats also represent good luck. Ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Celts connected cats—especially black ones—with deities and powerful figures. From Hecate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft, to Bastet, the Egyptian goddess, cats symbolized transformation, mystery, and feminine power. These revered creatures were thought to bring good fortune when crossing one's path.
These strong associations didn't align with the Catholic Church's philosophy of the time, and in their rejection of pagan traditions, black cats, along with many other symbols of the old ways, were dismissed. It's fascinating to consider that, had religion not taken this turn, black cats might have been the most cherished pets instead of the most scorned.
9. Black Cats Represent Symbolism
Black cats carry a wealth of symbolism, a result of their long-standing relationship with humans. Cats, in general, are tied to mystery and intuition because of their elusive and often unpredictable nature. Black cats, in particular, embody these qualities due to their association with the darkness that has both intrigued and frightened humans throughout history.
Night has always been a vulnerable time for creatures that struggle to see in the dark, yet our fear is counterbalanced by an intrigue in its beauty and the possibilities it holds. Black cats, being nocturnal and effortlessly blending into the twilight, became closely associated with the mysteries and unknown aspects of life, as well as with the subconscious mind—a staple concept in psychology.
8. Are Black Cats a Species?
You might have also encountered the term 'black panther,' which refers to any large cat born with a solid dark coat rather than a patterned one. This includes black leopards and black jaguars. While there are reports of other big cats, such as mountain lions or ocelots, being seen with black coats, these sightings remain unclear or unconfirmed. The term 'black panther' doesn't refer to a distinct species, but rather a cross-species phenomenon.
The term used for animals with darker coats than usual is melanism. This genetic mutation can be either dominant or recessive. In jaguars, melanism occurs due to a dominant gene, meaning a jaguar cub must have at least one melanistic parent to be born black. In leopards, however, the mutation is recessive, meaning a black leopard cub can randomly appear from spotted parents. In reality, one or both of the parents carry the melanistic gene, and it may be passed on to the cubs, manifesting in their fur.
Interestingly, domestic black cats are not black for the same reason. A cat's skin contains melanocytes, which produce specific colors in the fur depending on the proteins it receives. In most cats, these melanocytes receive a protein called agouti, which results in a sandy-colored fur.
When the agouti proteins are disrupted, the melanocytes fail to recognize them and essentially ignore their presence, which causes the fur and skin to darken. This disruption is responsible for the stripes and spots found in cats. For black cats, the issue is more extreme—they lack a crucial part of the feline gene sequence, which causes the agouti proteins their bodies produce to be too short for the melanocytes to react to. As a result, the cat’s entire coat turns black.
Kitty coats are far more intricate than most people realize.
7. Black Cat Genies
In certain Eastern and African cultures, there is a belief in spirits called jinn that inhabit physical creatures and objects. Among the most common beings they choose to inhabit is the cat, particularly the black cat. The term 'jinni' (the singular of 'jinn') is the origin of the word 'genie' and shares a root with 'genius.' Cats were also said to have seven lives, adding a layer of cleverness and magic to their mystique.
Ancient Persia held a similar, though distinct, belief about black cats. They regarded the black cat as a physical embodiment of the higher ethereal self, which they called the hemzad. As a result, harming or disturbing a passing black cat was seen as disrespectful not only to the cat but to oneself as well.
6. Familiars
In medieval Britain, the country was believed to be overrun with evil witches performing dark deeds—or at least that’s what people thought. In reality, Britain was more plagued by superstition and a general lack of knowledge. One of the most dangerous things you could do at the time was own a black cat. People were convinced that these seemingly harmless pets were actually demonic entities that granted witches their powers. To be seen with a black cat meant you were thought to be in league with evil spirits, able to control and manipulate everything around you.
Anyone who owned a black cat, or any pet for that matter, was viewed with suspicion. These pets were called “familiars.” It was believed that a witch would give up their soul in exchange for the magical powers their familiar provided. The more plausible reality, however, was that elderly, knowledgeable individuals kept animals like cats for companionship and to practice herbalism or animal care. But for fearful people, the mysterious and misunderstood were often blamed for anything from disease to murder to mental health issues. So, if you happen to find yourself time-traveling back to the 1600s, it’s probably best to leave your cat behind.
Ironically, the hysteria surrounding the eradication of black cats may have contributed to the spread of the plague, as the sudden absence of cats meant the rat population grew uncontrollably, resulting in more disease carriers.
5. Black Cats Make Safe Sailing...Maybe
Sailors have long been known for their superstitions, and they were certainly not about to overlook any black cat legends. It became a crucial tradition to bring a black cat aboard their ships, no matter the cost, in order to protect them from storms and other sea dangers. If anyone dared to let the cat fall overboard, they would face severe punishment, for it was believed that such an act would bring dreadful misfortune upon the entire ship.
On the other hand, some pirates believed black cats to be an ill omen—but only if the cat was walking toward them or boarded a ship and then turned back, leaving. In that case, the ship was doomed to encounter disaster or even sink because, after all, cats knew best! However, if a black cat walked away from a pirate, it was a sign of good fortune.
It’s complicated.
4. The One White Hair
Usually, finding a white hair in the fur of an animal would be seen as an unwelcome discovery. However, in France, there’s an exception to this rule. If you manage to track down a black cat and carefully examine its coat, you might spot a single white hair. If you do, it’s said that luck will favor you for a time.
No one can truly decipher what it means when the cat decides to claw you up in frustration over your persistent chase.
3. Weather Watch
Though this applies to all cats, black cats are especially famous for their weather-predicting abilities. Some of these beliefs have a factual foundation. For instance, a cat’s whiskers are so sensitive that they can sense even the smallest changes in barometric pressure. When the pressure drops, it usually brings rain or storms, and this change can cause cats to behave oddly due to the strange sensation they experience in their whiskers.
It’s likely that these unusual behaviors led to sayings like: “Sailors, I have been informed by a naval officer, are greatly unsettled when they see the cat on board ship acting unusually playful and frolicking. They consider this a sign of an impending storm and even have a saying for it: ‘the cat has a gale of wind in her tail.’”
One thing that has consistently been observed is how cats seem to sense impending earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. There are theories suggesting that animals can detect the Earth’s microtremors far earlier than humans and possess an instinctive understanding of what these movements mean.
Next time you cross paths with a black cat, you might find yourself at a complete loss for what to think.
2. Black Cats Can Get You Some Buried Treasure
France has long been a hotbed for fascinating theories about the special abilities of black cats, with one of the most intriguing being their supposed ability to unearth buried treasure. However, it wasn’t as straightforward as just having a cat nearby; there was a ritual involved. The first step was to catch the cat, obviously. Then, you needed to go to a location where five roads met, release the cat, and then follow it wherever it went.
So, if you ever find yourself in France and notice someone trailing a cat with a spade in hand, now you know exactly what they’re up to.
1. Black Cats Are The Secret To Good Marriage
In the Midlands of England, a wedding tradition emerged where a married couple would receive a healthy, plump black cat on their special day. This gift was thought to be absolutely necessary for ensuring the marriage had a chance of flourishing.
Moreover, it’s said that if a black cat sneezes in close proximity to a bride on her wedding day, happiness is guaranteed for her future. Hopefully, though, no one tries to coax cats into sneezing at weddings just to ensure good fortune.
