History of the Black Cat

When a black cat crosses your path, what do you do? Do you jump back, cross the street and spin in a superstitious circle three times? Do you silently pray that the old folklore myth is just that- a myth but watch extra-close for falling scaffolding? Or do you (like us) squeal delightedly and pick him up for a cuddle?

The connotations of black cats as omens have permeated our culture, helped along the way by their popularity as a mascot for everything from witches to Halloween. Yet anyone who has ever owned a black cat (or any other cat, for that matter) knows that far from bringing bad luck or evil, they bring love, affection and joy to our lives. (Along with a whole lot of black hair left on white furniture for that matter!)

As such, we’ve decided to do a little bit of armchair investigating and unearth just why black cats have such a…well… unearthly reputation.

Apparently, in ancient Hebrew and Babylonian mythology, black cats were often pictured coiled like serpents, another creature long-associated with evil. Since then, many cultures have also associated black cats as the favourite pet of witches, with many believing that witches have the ability to change form from human to…you guessed it…black cat. This belief led to the horrific torture of several animals alongside women in the 17th century as they were burned at the stake on suspicion of witchcraft.

Yet black cats dying for the colour of their fur is not a thing of the past. These days, in shelters and pounds across the country, black cats and dogs are frequently passed over for those with lighter coloured fur. Rescue organisations believe this is due to a combination of factors. It’s partly because it is difficult to read the expression on the face of a cat with black fur, partly because they don’t photograph as well as their lighter counterparts, and partly because silly myths have infiltrated our psyche, prejudicing us against these innocent and beautiful animals.

Next time you see a black cat, give it a cuddle, and remember that witches don’t exist. And if you’re thinking of adopting another kitty, give some thought to adopting the black one that others less enlightened than you may leave behind.

Images by: helorits Miller and ƒernando