Superstitions of the WorldBlack cat: superstition explained
What people believe, where it comes from and what is really going on.
The belief
In the United States and much of Europe, a black cat crossing your path is said to be bad luck. In Britain, Ireland and Japan, the same animal is lucky, and a black cat is a gift to a bride.
Where it comes from
The link of black cats with bad luck is said to come from the Middle Ages, when cats were associated with witches. In ancient Egypt, by contrast, cats were sacred. In Japan, black cats were thought to bring good luck and keep away evil.
What is really going on
There is no connection between the colour of a cat and luck. Black cats are in practice often the last to be adopted at animal shelters, which is a good reason to treat the belief lightly.
See also
- One magpie A British rhyme, "one for sorrow, two for joy", says that seeing a single magpie
- Owls In many Western cultures, a symbol of wisdom; in parts of India, Africa and the
- Ravens and crows In Europe the raven was linked to death and war. In India, crows are linked with
- Rabbit's foot Carried for luck in the United States and Europe, a belief which is said to come
- Whistling at night In India, China, Japan and other places, whistling at night is said to call snak
- Bananas on a boat Fishermen and sailors in several countries consider bananas aboard a ship bad lu
Questions people ask
What is the superstition about black cat?
In the United States and much of Europe, a black cat crossing your path is said to be bad luck. In Britain, Ireland and Japan, the same animal is lucky, and a black cat is a gift to a bride.
Is it true?
There is no evidence that it affects events; it is a cultural belief.
This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.