With Halloween coming up, I have been watching my mom decorate the house for this spooky holiday. As my mom was decorating, my black cat Thackery (yes named after Thackery Binx from the movie Hocus Pocus) approaches her to see what she is doing. He positions himself next to the décor and he instantaneously transforms into a decoration. Looking at him, I started to wonder, why are black cats a Halloween icon? After googling, it was obvious that black cats are icons for this holiday because of their superstitious background: they are bad luck.
Many of us have heard this superstition time and time again, however, it is simply not true. So, I have decided to go down the rabbit hole of the history of the superstition of black cats.
In Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Japan, black cats are believed to be a positive omen. However, many Western cultures have adapted to believe the superstition of black cats symbolizing an evil omen.
Black cats were also associated with demons and witches, which at the time of the Pilgrims settling on Plymouth Rock, anyone who was seen with a black cat was killed along with the cat.
Fast forward to the present, animal shelters have taken note that black cats have a harder time getting adopted due to their color and superstitious background. Some shelters hold off adoption days around Halloween, because of the fear that people will adopt black cats to torture, kill or use them as decorations and abandon them after the holiday.
In the United Kingdom, Oct. 27 is Black Cat Day designated by Cats Protection, a charity aimed to help homeless cats. This day celebrates black cats and encourages people to adopt unwanted black cats.
For those who have never had a black cat and believe in this silly superstition let me be the first to say that there is no bad luck or evil omens. Black cats are beautiful and mysterious looking creatures and are just like any other cat. When I look at my fluffy black cat, I don’t see an evil creature who has ties with the devil. I see a beautiful chubby kitty who has brought joy into my life.