14 Global Myths and Legends About Cats

Cats have captivated human imagination long before the internet era. Throughout history, diverse cultures have woven intricate tales about these enigmatic animals, from beliefs in their mystical powers to whimsical stories of them playing musical instruments, lounging in baby cradles, or embarking on fantastical voyages with owls. Cats also feature prominently in various religious traditions, often depicted as both divine and demonic beings. While these stories are purely mythical (and not factual), they offer a fascinating glimpse into how different societies have viewed felines over the ages.

1. THE MYTH OF CATS STEALING A BABY’S BREATH.

For generations, people in England harbored the belief that cats could sneak into a baby’s crib and “suck out” the infant’s breath, leading to suffocation and death. (Some versions of the tale suggest the cat acts out of jealousy due to the newborn receiving more attention, while others claim the smell of milk on the baby’s lips attracts the cat.) In 1791, a coroner’s jury in Plymouth, England, even convicted a cat of such an act. This myth persisted and traveled with settlers to the Americas; in 1929, the Nebraska State Journal published an account from a doctor who claimed to have seen a cat lying on a baby’s chest, with its paws on either side of the infant’s mouth, its lips pressed against the child’s, leaving the baby pale and lifeless.

2. THE MYTH OF CATS FEASTING ON HUMANS DURING CHRISTMAS.

Despite Iceland’s enchanting elven folklore and high standard of living, its Christmas tales can be surprisingly grim. Icelandic children grow up fearing the fearsome Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat, a monstrous feline that roams the icy landscapes during the holiday season, hunting for humans to devour. Unlike typical cautionary tales, this creature doesn’t target misbehaving children. Instead, it preys on anyone—regardless of age—who isn’t dressed in new, fine clothing on Christmas Eve. (This story was often told by farmers to motivate workers to finish wool processing early, ensuring everyone had new clothes before the Yule Cat arrived.) Though this bizarre legend feels ancient, it only appeared in print during the 19th century and gained popularity through a poem in the early 20th century, embodying Iceland’s poetic tradition.

3. THE BELIEF THAT CATS CAUSED THE BLACK DEATH.

During the Middle Ages, cats were often viewed as malevolent creatures, sharing the dark powers of witches and warlocks, and believed to be in league with Satan. Their bite and flesh were considered poisonous, and even their breath was thought to spread tuberculosis. They were also said to have the ability to spoil beer at will. When the bubonic plague ravaged Europe in the 14th century, wiping out up to 60% of the population in some areas, it was widely believed that the Devil was behind the devastation, with cats acting as his agents. This led to the mass extermination of cats, particularly black ones, and occasionally their owners as well. (Snakes were also blamed and killed.) Unfortunately, this was a grave mistake, as the true culprit was the Oriental flea, which thrived on rats. With fewer cats (and snakes) to control the rat population, the number of rats (or possibly gerbils) skyrocketed, exacerbating the spread of the plague.

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4. THE BELIEF THAT CATS BRING LUCK, BUT ONLY IN SPECIFIC COLORS, TOE COUNTS, AND LEVELS OF ADORABLENESS.

In Japanese culture, cats are seen as symbols of good fortune, but with specific conditions. The maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat," is a famous charm believed to bring wealth and prosperity to its owner. One popular tale recounts how a cat’s paw gesture saved a nobleman from a lightning strike, making the beckoning motion a sign of luck. Tortoiseshell cats, particularly the rare males, are also considered auspicious in Japan.

According to Buddhist tradition, a dark-coated cat is said to bring gold, while a light-colored one brings silver. In Russia, the Russian Blue cat is regarded as a harbinger of good luck. Many cultures also believe that polydactyl cats (those with extra toes) are lucky charms. Early sailors traveling to America often brought these multi-toed felines to ensure safe voyages, which explains why polydactyl cats are still common in New England today. In China, it’s believed that the older and more rugged a cat looks, the more luck it brings.

5. THE MYTH OF CATS AS TRANSFORMED WOMEN WHO PREY ON NEWBORNS.

This legend originates from the Bible. Lilith, Adam’s rebellious first wife, is referenced in the Book of Isaiah and is linked to an ancient Hebrew demon known for devouring infants. Some Sephardic Jewish traditions claim that Lilith, also called El Broosha, could transform into a massive black cat-like demon. She was said to hunt newborns at night, draining their blood like a vampire. In other folklore, she appears as a screech owl.

6. THE BELIEF THAT CATS ARE VESSELS FOR HUMAN SOULS.

A Buddhist sect from the ancient kingdoms of Siam and Burma believed that the souls of the virtuous, upon death, would be entrusted to cats for protection. These sacred souls resided in a feline purgatory, and when the cat passed away, the soul would ascend to heaven. This sect revered cats deeply, often depicting them sleeping at the feet of Buddha statues. Even today, during the coronation of a new Thai king, a live cat adorned with gold jewelry—typically a Siamese cat—is presented to the monarch. This tradition allows the spirit of the previous king to witness the ceremony through the cat’s eyes. For instance, a gold-decorated cat was present at the 1950 coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

7. THE LEGEND OF THE CAT SÌTH HAUNTING CELTIC LANDS.

In Scottish and Irish folklore, the Cat Sìth, a large black cat with a distinctive white chest patch, roams at night seeking souls to claim. To protect the deceased’s soul from this cunning creature, wakes and funerals included distractions like catnip or loud music. Additionally, fires were never lit in rooms with corpses, as cats were known to seek warmth by the hearth.

This ghostly feline, roughly the size of a dog, is said to be a witch capable of transforming into a cat, but only nine times. After the final transformation, she remains a cat forever. Despite her sinister reputation, the Cat Sìth wasn’t entirely malevolent. During Samhain, the Gaelic festival, households would leave saucers of milk outside for her, and in return, she would bless the home. However, failing to offer milk would result in a curse, causing the cows’ milk to dry up—a fair exchange, it seems.

8. THE TALE OF TALKING CATS, COFFIN-BEARERS, AND FELINE MONARCHIES.

In the British folktale The King of the Cats, a sexton digging a grave (or, in some versions, simply walking along a road) encounters a group of nine black cats with white chest patches, carrying a tiny coffin adorned with a crown. One cat instructs the man to inform Tommy Tildrum that Timmy Toldrum has died. The man, bewildered, returns home and shares the story with his wife, while their housecat, Old Tom, interrupts with loud meows. Ignoring the cat, the couple continues their conversation. When the man finally asks his wife if she knows Tommy Tildrum, the cat suddenly exclaims in perfect English, "What? Old Tim dead? Then I'm the King o' the Cats!" With that, Old Tom dashes up the chimney and disappears forever.

9. THE BELIEF THAT CATS CAN FORETELL THE WEATHER.

Or, more accurately, by observing cats, you can predict the weather. In England, it’s said that a cat clawing at curtains or carpets signals windy conditions. The Welsh believed that dilated cat pupils indicated impending rain. Similarly, if a cat frequently washes its ears, rain is on the horizon. A cat gazing out a window for long periods or sleeping with all four paws tucked under its body is also thought to predict rain. Even a cat sleeping on its back is said to foretell a storm. Essentially, almost any cat behavior is interpreted as a sign of rain.

10. THE MYTH OF SEA-DWELLING CATS THAT SUMMON STORMS.

Fishermen in the British Isles, steeped in superstition, often toss a piece of fish back into the ocean “for the cat.” This legendary cat was once a woman accused of witchcraft, who sailed with her fisherman fiancé. To avenge the crew’s belief that her presence brought bad luck, she summoned a storm to sink the ship. As punishment, she was transformed into a four-eyed cat that roams the seas. Fishermen still offer her food to avoid her wrath. Additionally, sailors believe that if a cat falls overboard, a storm will arise and capsize the ship.

11. THE BELIEF THAT CATS CAN IMPRINT THEIR FEATURES ON UNBORN CHILDREN.

In various parts of Europe, pregnant women were warned against holding cats or allowing them to rest on their laps. In Portugal, it was believed that a cat could cause the baby to develop a wart or mole, often hairy. In England, people feared the child might be born with a cat-like birthmark or even a feline face. Ironically, another English tradition considers black cats lucky as wedding gifts, and a cat of any color that sneezes near the bride on her wedding day is also seen as a good omen.

12. THE IDEA THAT CATS SERVE THE DEVIL.

During the Middle Ages, cats were believed to be the Devil’s messengers, tasked with transporting souls to Hell. The three hairs at the tip of a cat’s tail were called “the devil’s hairs,” which supposedly kept the cat awake at night, prowling when all devout creatures should be resting. In the American South, drowning a cat was thought to bring direct punishment from the Devil, while kicking one would result in rheumatism. In Europe, kittens born at the end of blackberry season were considered particularly mischievous, as it was believed that when Satan was cast out of Heaven near summer’s end, he landed in blackberry bushes, infusing the kittens with his chaotic energy. Early Christians also believed that if a cat sat on a grave, the deceased’s soul was claimed by Satan. Additionally, if two cats were seen fighting near a grave or a dying person, it was thought to be an angel and a devil battling for the soul—disguised as cats.

13. THE LEGEND OF CACTUS CATS AND THEIR LOVE FOR ALCOHOL.

Around a century ago, stories from the Pueblo and Navajo regions in northern Mexico and Arizona described a living, moving cactus shaped like a cat, with needles instead of fur and sharp blades for front legs. This cactus cat would slash the bases of real cacti to let the sap collect and ferment into pulque. It would target up to 80 cacti at once, then return to the start of its path to get drunk on the fermented sap. Afterward, it would roam the area, causing chaos by attacking cowboys and leaving distinctive red marks.

14. CATS AS UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS OF MYSTICISM.

Across numerous cultures, cats are revered as mystical beings. In ancient Egypt, they were worshipped as divine entities, and harming one was a capital offense. The death of a household cat plunged the entire family into mourning. In northern regions, every Norwegian Forest Cat is believed to be a fairy or goblin in disguise. The distinction can be determined by gazing into their eyes, which are said to serve as portals to the fairy or goblin realm. By looking through them, one might glimpse visions of the enchanting world beyond.