The Link Between Cats and Superstitions
04/05/2018
Picture this: you’re driving down a dark street one quiet night and notice some movement near the side of the road. Suddenly, a black cat races across the street, crossing your path. What is your immediate thought? While some might think nothing of the mysterious cat, others will automatically assume they are doomed to have bad luck!
For centuries, superstitions have surrounded cats. They have secured a spot in world culture as revered, respected, or even frightening. Let’s take a look at the most popular cat superstitions.
- If a black cat crosses your path, you’ll have bad luck.
Howstuffworks.com has an interesting explanation for this one. The story goes, that when Egyptians began worshipping the black cat goddess Bast, Christians became convinced that black cats were demons in disguise. They believed that if a demon crossed your path, it created a barrier of evil, severing you from God and heaven.
Other resources claim that black cats were thought to be witches in feline form, or carried out witches’ evil commands.
- Cats have 9 lives.
Whether this statement is recognized as a superstition or myth, it’s definitely an interesting thought! Unfortunately, once a cat passes, it’s definitely not coming back for 8 more lives. But where did this saying originate? Many believe it’s due to a cat’s uncanny ability to make impossible leaps and jumps, survive long falls, etc. Cats are extremely agile, and can definitely give off the impression of superhero powers.
- Never look into a cat’s eyes.
Once again, this folklore tale dates back to ancient times when cultures around the world associated cats with witches, wizards and more. Many believed that looking into a cat’s eyes for too long would bring bad luck. Others believed that a cat’s eyes are windows to a mystical world.
Don’t believe everything you hear. These stories are just that: folklore. Feel free to lovingly look into the eyes of your feline!
Here are a few other interesting superstitions about cats:
- One white hair on a black cat is good luck.
- Kittens born in May have special powers.
- Black cats protect fishermen at sea.
- Put a cat in the empty cradle of newlyweds, and a baby will arrive soon.
- If a cat sneezes three times, someone will catch a cold.
- When a cat washes its ears a lot, it will rain.
- Having a cat in a theater is good luck.
