The bitter myth of the misunderstood black cat

What do you think of when you first see the silhouette of a black cat? Do you think of something creepy, magical or maybe Halloween as a whole? Black cats are famously tied to Halloween and the fall season, which is not just a recent trend.

The superstition that cats are associated with evil or perceived to be bad luck stems all the way back to the 1300s, the later half of the medieval period. During this time, churches had started releasing statements across Europe associating the black cat with witchcraft and satan. The church had made the association of black cats with witches because of the “natural defiance of authority,” which is the independence cats naturally possess. This was similar to how witches, or “defiant women,” were seen at the time. Additionally, many chose to blame cats for the spread of the Black Plague, as cats would tend to hunt and gather mice, which were the original carriers of the pandemic.

Different superstitions revolving around black cats have been spread across different cultures. Each culture could have their own version of what the symbolism of the black cat could mean. The superstitious nature of cats within Europe snuck into western culture, leaving its mark on Halloween.

You see black cats as evil mysterious creatures in all different American Halloween movies, shows, and so on! With that being said, do you believe in the superstitious curse of the black cat? 

Could it bring you bad luck? Are they evil? 

The cute kitties are still a symbol of Halloween today in American culture, and the superstitious worry of them being bad luck still carries onto this day. It is most apparent when looking at the adoption rates of the animals. Black cats are typically subject to lower adoption rates in pet shelters. 

Is this fair? Of course not! Black cats are just like all other cats, and the superstitions behind their fur color are ridiculous and silly. There is no scientific evidence to prove black cats are evil or bad luck. Black cats are simply misunderstood and have proven to be symbols of good things across different cultures, including being a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Japan and Scotland.

So, the next time you see a black cat, try not to associate it first with the bitter myth that black cats are evil, and instead know that black cats are just as loveable as any other breed!