Black Cats: Lucky or Unlucky?

I am the owner of four black cats. Or do they own me? I’m never quite sure. Pictured here are Indy and Tye, two brothers we adopted three years ago. In A Temptress In Tartan, a black cat is mistaken as a witch’s familiar.  In the sixteenth century, it was largely believed that  black cats were affiliated with evil because they are  nocturnal and roam at night. They were thought to be supernatural servants of witches, or even witches themselves.

In celebration of my release, I wanted to share a little of the folklore surrounding black cats. Depending on the location and century in which one lived, black cats either symbolized good or bad luck.

In 16th-century Italy, people believed that if someone was sick, he or she would die if a black cat lay on the bed. Today, in Asia and the United Kingdom, a black cat is considered lucky. In Yorkshire, England, it may be lucky to own a black cat, but it’s unlucky to have one cross your path. Completely opposite of that in North America, it’s considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path, and good luck if a white cat crosses your path.

Other beliefs about black cats that exist around the world today are:

• To dream of a black cat is lucky.
• Finding a white hair on a black cat brings good luck.
• A strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the owner.
• A black cat seen from behind portrays a bad omen.
• If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune.
• If a black cat walks away from you, it takes the good luck with it.