Where did the superstition about black cats causing bad luck come from ?

Question

I was talking to my friend and his sister the other night when she mentioned the superstition about black cats causing bad luck when they cross your path . We all started wondering about how that superstition started . Does anybody know how or where this superstition began ? Thank you in advance for your answers .

Answer 1

Here's the scoop:  Back in the Middle Ages anything black was considered evil.  Cats were especially suspect as they are nocturnal hunters and were considered to the familiars of witches, who were 'known' to be devil worshipers.  Therefore, if a black cat crossed your path, then it was tantamount to an 'agent of the devil' crossing your path and was bad luck.  Is certainly was back luck for all those innocent midwives and herbalist who happened to keep cats (especially black ones) around for pest control.  Many women were condemned to be hung or burned simply because they owned a black cat.

Answer 2

The second answer is the most accurate. In earlier times it was said that witches could transform into cats and since the color black was associated with evil and with witches... thus black cats. So it was believed that if a witch disguised as a black cat crossed your path you would be cursed by the witch. In Puritan times people were forced to admit to things that were "purely" made up, such as worshiping the devil disguised as a black cat.

Black cats did fare better in Japan however, where they were considered GOOD luck. At least they were safe somewhere.  

Answer 3

Cats are sacred to the Roman Goddess of Freedom, Libertas.

Christians wanted to slander everything about Paganism

Black was considered evil to Christians.

Most superstitions are Christian slanders against Pagan sacred symbols and customs.

Answer 4

I don`t know where that came from but i do know i do love cats but i don`t like the black ones cause every time one has crossed the road when i was driving i either had a flat or some kind of car trouble

maybe it seems like that but i do find it strange, I wish i knew the answer myself

Answer 5

Cats were certainly believed (and in some parts still believed) to be witches familiars , and as black was considered to be  the colour of the underworld, or the devil, team the two together and you get a good argument for your witch trials of the middle ages!

However here in the UK we believe them to be symbols of good luck, if a black cat crosses your path you should stroke it three times for extra luck.

I was travelling in europe recently and one crossed the path of myself and a (foreign) friend, while i was pleased she spent the rest of the day on edge waiting for a disaster. Suffice to say we had a great rest of the holiday without any dramas or disasters unfolding ;-)