If there’s an animal associated with misfortune and the occult, it is the black cat. Since ancient times. Black cats have been related to all types of misfortunes and their connection with bad luck precedes it. The association between black expenses and the negative increased during the Middle Ages. So, black cats were associated with witchcraft. Women who had cats were considered witches and even Pope Gregory IX considered the Cathars an impious sect that bred black cats, but why did it change?
The Dark Legend That Associates Black Cats With Bad Luck
Cats have been present in human history for millennia. They have always been characterized as more independent animals than dogs and that has helped them not to be considered so faithful. However, in ancient Egypt, they were revered as divine creatures and when one of them died he was mummified and buried with all kinds of luxuries. However, the Celtic cultural heritage is which has marked the image that has come down to us today of cats, especially black cats. For the ancient Celts, black kitties were the reincarnation of demonic beings or impious people. Something similar happened in the Middle Ages.
It was precisely in the Middle Ages when the bad reputation of black cats was recorded in fire. It was believed that these animals were the path in which witches manifested themselves and seeing one was equivalent to seeing a witch. From there comes all the popular culture that has linked black kitties with bad luck. As if their connection with witchcraft was not enough, it was also thought that black cats had been the cause of the plague and they even wanted to see the manifestation of the seven deadly sins in them.
Today the Rejection Persists
Even today, the superstition against black cats has not been eradicated. According to data from the Affinity Foundation, around 33,000 cats are abandoned annually, and a large number of these are black. Furthermore, in shelters, these cats have the most difficulty finding a home. It goes without saying, but anatomically and under all scientific criteria, cats are no different from any other type of fur. His only distinguishing quality is the color of his hair.
This story was written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera
