Black cats have been associated with bad luck and evil for hundreds of years. But why? How exactly did a cuddly little kitty cat get such a bad reputation?
After all, things certainly didn’t start that way for the humble feline. Over 5,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians revered and even worshipped cats. A person caught killing a cat could face the death penalty.
So what happened? Most historians trace superstitions about black cats back to Europe in the Middle Ages. At that time, some older women were accused of witchcraft and practicing black magic. Many of these women had cats as companions, so they became guilty by association.
This belief was solidified by a piece of widespread folklore that began circulating in the mid-16th century. According to legend, a father and son were traveling together on a moonless night, when a black cat crossed their path.
They threw stones at the cat until the poor, injured animal found its way into the nearby home of a woman suspected of being a witch. The next day, the father and son saw the woman bruised and limping, which led them to begin telling everyone that the woman — and thus all other witches — could turn into black cats at night to prowl the streets unnoticed.
This belief was eventually echoed in America during the time of the Salem witch trials. Of course, the association between black cats and evil or bad luck is nothing more than a superstition. Still, it remains a belief held by many people. In fact, the next time Halloween rolls around, take notice of how many black cats you see on Halloween decorations.
It’s not all bad news for black cats, however. There are some places in the world where black cats are honored. For example, many people in Scotland, Great Britain, Japan, and Russia view black cats as signs of good luck and prosperity!

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