Black Cat Myths - Page 2

Part of Babylonian folklore includes a cat curled up in front of a fireplace to be symbolic of an evil serpent. Since cats have exceptional night vision, some folks believe the myth that cats can see ghosts.

Ages ago, if a farmer suspected that his land had been cursed, the only method to remove the spell was to shoot a black cat with a silver bullet. It was also believed that if an unexpected misfortune fell upon a village where an old woman owning a black cat resided, she would be accused of witchcraft, and she and her feline companion would be burned at the stake. The black cat certainly has had its share of vicious folklore.

On the other hand, good luck omens are also associated with black cats. Fortunately, many more stories point to the connection between good fortune and black cats. The ancient Egyptians venerated black cats and treated them as royalty. In fact, killing a black cat was a capital offence. Cats were mummified upon their death to preserve them for the afterlife.

Even though many folks believe that a cat crossing one's path is bad luck, many think that a black cat crossing one's path means that person will have good luck. Moreover, if the cat is stoked three times or spoken to, the luck will be even greater.

Fisherman's wives kept black cats for luck when their husbands went to sea, believing that owning a black cat kept danger away. Often these cats were stolen, as they were considered so valuable. Many sailors believed that if a black cat approached them on the deck of their ship, fortune would smile upon them. However, if a black cat started to approach them, but turned around, that meant bad luck was in store. Additionally, if a cat was thrown overboard, it was an invitation for a bad storm with horrible consequences.

In Scotland, it is believed that a strange black cat arriving on the porch brings prosperity. In Britain, it is thought that if a black cat resides in a house, a young woman living there will have many suitors. Interestingly the British feel that if a person owns a black cat, it is good luck, but to come across a black cat by accident is very bad luck.

One of the French myths is that if one has a black cat with even one white hair, Lady Luck will smile upon the owner. In most other cultures, the black cat is considered to be a symbol of fortune - a prized possession - and the owner considered to very lucky.

The black cat continues to carry its full legacy of legends. The fact of the matter is that in reality, it is just another beautiful feline.

For more on Cat Legends, check out: Fact or Fiction? Feline Myths Exposed.