We have all heard that crossing a black cat can bring bad luck, but is there any truth to this superstition?

For as long as I can remember, black cats have been used for Halloween decor. I have always wondered, though, why black cats? What about them makes them unlucky? Or is that even true?

Black cats are the most common color of cat. “The genes that cause black coloration in cats are the most dominant” (Elassar, 2019). So if they are so common, why are they bad luck?

The theory began sometime in the middle ages. “A folklore spread about a man and his son who came across a black cat, which they began to toss rocks at. The injured cat ran into a woman’s house who was suspected of being a witch and when the woman happened to appear limping and bruised the next day, people suspected that the cat must be the woman in disguise” (Pezzoni, 2019). People also tend to associate the color black with bad luck. Other animals have fallen victim to this as well, such as ravens and crows.

It is hard to be a black cat, especially around Halloween. “Experts say black cats are less likely to be adopted, and some people even harm them. Some shelters used to hold promotions on Halloween, where fees were waived for people who adopted black cats. But due to concerns about mistreatment and abuse, many shelters have stopped this practice. Other shelters don’t allow any black cat adoptions in the month of October” (Elassar, 2019). 

Black cats are not bad luck everywhere, however. In some cultures, they are actually good luck. “In Britain, Japan and Ireland, a black cat crossing your path is considered a sign of good luck. And in ancient Egypt, cats were considered an embodiment of the gods and worshiped. In fact, the cat goddess Bastet was part black cat and part woman, illustrating just how much black cats meant to that society” (Elassar, 2019).

Overall, black cats have no actual black luck associated with them. It is just a myth. Black cats are just common and dark colored. No bad luck here!

References

Pezzoni, E. (2019, August 7). Where did black cats get their bad rep? Ethos Veterinary Health. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/where-did-black-cats-get-their-bad-rep/.

Elassar, A. (2019, October 27). It’s National Black Cat Day! here are five facts to know about our black feline friends. CBS58. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.cbs58.com/news/its-national-black-cat-day-here-are-five-facts-to-know-about-our-black-feline-friends.