Changing perceptions: an ode to the black cat

Now in it’s 4th year, National Black Cat Day was set up by the UK rescue and rehoming charity Cats Protection to raise awareness of the many unwanted black or black and white moggies in their care.

45% of the cats they rescue are black or black and white and on average they take a week longer to be adopted than their more colourful counterparts.

Black cats have been associated with bad luck and evil for hundreds of years. But why? How exactly did a cuddly little kitty cat get such a bad reputation? We take a look at the history of the black cat and where it all seemed to go wrong.

Black Cats weren’t always considered to be a sign of bad luck. In early Egyptian times, cats (including black ones) were worshiped and held in high esteem; to kill one was actually considered a crime.

By the Middle Ages, however, cats began to be associated with witchcraft. They were often cared for and fed by poor, lonely ladies who were accused of witchery and as a result, got a bad rep. Black cats were considered especially desirable partners for witches because of their ability to remain unseen in dark places and as witch hunts grew in popularity, many superstitions about uniformly black felines started to develop:

• Witches could transform into black cats at night
• Cats came out at night and so were supernatural servants of witches
• Black cats were witches reborn
• Black cats were witches’ familiars — they aided them in performing witchcraft

However, in some cultures, the black cat is actually considered to be a symbol of good luck. Confusing, we know.

• Scotland: a black cat appearing on your doorstep is a sign of prosperity
• England: in the Midlands, a black cat as a wedding present is thought to bring good luck to the bride
• France: In the south of France, black cats are referred to as ‘matagots’ or ‘magician cats’ and according to local superstition, feeding and treating them well will bring good luck to the owner.
• Northern Europe: it is believed that taking in and caring for a black cat can ensure fair weather and safe passage during voyages on the sea
• Asia: owning a black cat is considered lucky
• Italy: if you hear a black cat sneeze, you are in for a streak of good luck

While it’s clear that a black cat’s association with evil is nothing more than dated superstition, our monochrome friends can’t seem to shake these negative ties — perhaps the lasting popularity of Halloween has something to do with it. Whatever it is, we salute Cats Protection in their quest to change attitudes.

To help raise awareness and stop the witch hunt against black cats, Cats Protection is encouraging people to acknowledge the uniqueness of black cats and focus on what makes them individually special.

Find out more about the campaign here: http://www.cats.org.uk/black-cats

Here are 10 interesting facts about black cats: