Black Cats and Hallowe’en

October 18, 2021

photo credit: marcelosilvavieira31807136

A lot of cat lovers will be dressing up as black cats this Hallowe’en as an homage to their favourite four-legged creatures. Black cats and Hallowe’en go together like peanut butter and chocolate, but their association has not always been one of innocent playfulness. 

We’ve all heard the superstition of the black cat as a precursor to bad luck. If one crosses your path, you’re doomed...but for how long, nobody knows. 

Greek mythology and the Goddess Hecate is likely the origin of this black cat superstition. Hecate was the goddess of witchcraft, magic and sorcery, and she is often depicted with a cat by her side. It is said she could transform herself into a cat or take control of their mind so they would do her bidding. So when you see a black cat, it is likely on a mission from a witch or the devil himself.

This black cat superstition continued long into the middle ages and medieval Europe, when the Catholic church enforced the belief. On 1233, black cats were declared by Pope Gregory IX to be incarnations of Satan:

“The decree marked the beginning of the inquisition and church-sanctioned heretic and/or witch hunts. Initially it was designed to squash the growing cult of Luciferians in Germany, but quickly spread across Europe.” ~ Black Cats Tell All: True Tales And Inspiring Images by Layla Morgan Wilde (2017).

The black cat was a dark creature from the dark side and anyone who lived with one was evil. One flash of those golden, green eyes in the shadows of night could frighten even the happiest of souls. What followed was the great witch hunt of the time, where a huge number of innocent women and harmless black cats were put to death. Such a far cry from Egyptian times where cats were revered and immortalized.

The black cat superstition spread into the Americas and so too did the persecution of witches. Even to this day, any single woman living alone with cats is looked down upon and considered crazy. And black cats are always the last to be rescued from shelters. 

But not all countries believe in the black cat, bad omen myth. In Japan and Scotland, black cats are viewed as symbols of good luck. 

And that’s not all. Black cats are extremely affectionate and friendly. They will go up to anyone, human and canine, to get to know you better. Their black coats make them excellent mousers, as they are practically invisible under the cover of darkness. And scientists believe black cats have stronger immune systems that could help in treating/curing HIV in humans. Black-furred cats can be found in more than 22 CFA-registered breeds. They’ve come a long way since the middle ages!