Is a black cat crossing your path bad or good luck?
FOR centuries, black cats have long been associated with spooky superstitions.
But do these furry felines bring good or bad luck if they cross your path? Here's everything you need to know about this superstition.
Is a black cat crossing your path good luck or bad luck?
The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think - and it all depends on where in the world you ask.
In the Middle Ages, black cats were thought to be the assistants of witches.
This association with witchcraft has meant that they are seen as particularly superstitious at Halloween.
The prominence of American culture means many people think black cats are unlucky.
In India, it is believed to be a bad omen when a black cat crosses your path as it is generally associated with Lord Shani.
In astrology, it is believed that Lord Shani might be trying to warn you not to go outside or that the work will be delayed.
In many other areas of Europe, black moggies are also considered a symbol of bad luck, especially when one walks across the path in front of you, which is said to be an omen of death.
If a black cat wanders onto a ship and then off again, the ship is said to be doomed to sink on its next voyage.
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However, in Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Japan, it is lucky to see a black cat on your travels — as long as it crosses your path from left to right.
And if a cat walks towards someone it is said to bring good fortune but bad luck if the cat walks away, as it "takes the luck” with them.
The Scots also have a superstition that if a strange black cat arrives at home, this signifies prosperity.
What are the origins of black cat superstitions?
The connections between humans and cats can be traced back to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, most notably ancient Egypt.
In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped due to being linked to the goddess Bastet, who was said to bring protection to the home.
She was originally depicted with a lioness head, but this changed to a cat when the moggies were first kept as domestic pets by the first millennium BC.
However, many Western cultures have associated dark-coloured felines with being evil omens and linked them to witches and the devil.
Some think this began with the Pilgrim Fathers who settled in America and were said to be superstitious about things they considered linked to evil.
The Puritan migrants viewed black cats as being demonic and con and considered female owners as potential witches.
In Western culture, a witch's familiar is often depicted as a black cat.
As far back as the 13th century, black cats have been associated with the occult when Pope Gregory IX issued an official church degree called “Vox in Rama” on June 13, 1233.
In it, he stated that black cats are an incarnation of Satan.
Legend has it that English monarch Charles I thought that his black cat was a source of luck for him and is said to have lamented that his good fortune would end after his pet died.
The day after his pet passed away, he was arrested and charged with high treason.
What are the top superstitions in the UK?
As well as Friday the 13th, here are some widely-spread superstitions in Britain:
- Avoid walking under a ladder
- Touching wood
- Breaking a mirror
- Crossing your fingers
- Picking up a penny
- Breaking a wishbone demonic and considered female owners
- Throwing salt over your shoulder because you spilt it
- Avoiding opening an umbrella inside
- Avoiding putting new shoes on the table
- Avoiding telling anyone your birthday wish when blowing out your candles
- Saluting a magpie
- Ensuring you have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on your or a friend's wedding day
- Avoiding the number 13
- Avoiding walking over three drains
- Avoiding the number 666
- Avoiding seeing the bride in their wedding dress before their wedding day
- Avoiding walking over a crack
- Having your husband carry you over the threshold of your new home
- Avoiding stepping on a grate