A superstition is a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief. Over time people have been very superstitious about the black cat. The reason for that is they say when a black cat crosses a road and you go through wherever it crosses it is believed to be an omen of bad luck or death. The fears about black cats are throughout Europe over time and a lot of killings of black cats took place. Although certain areas of Europe, places in the UK, had some positive black cat superstitions, the black cat was often mistreated and did wrong. There have been good black cat superstitions where people worship the feline.
A black cat is a domestic cat with black fur that may be a mixed or specific breed. The Bombay breed is exclusively black. All black fur cats is more common in male cats than female cats. Their dark brown feature causes most black cats to have yellow eyes. Black cats can fade in sunlight, and turn their fur to a light brownish color. When cats are born they come in liters, according to the genes they can each come out a different color, or they can come out the same color, or even have different color body parts.
They even have a black cat day,which is held on October 27, they do this to celebrate black cats, and encourage people to adopt an unwanted black cat. The article states “In 2014, the RSPCA reported that 70% of the abandoned cats in its care were black, suggesting a possible reason was that people considered black cats non-photogenic” (en.wikipedia.org). They have another day for cats and it’s called “black cat appreciation day”, and it is held on August 17 black cats are the least likely to be adopted from shelters of any type of cat. This can be partly because of the superstition behind black cats such as their association with witchcraft or bad luck,
Superstitions can be negative or positive. The origin of black cat superstitions comes from our prehistoric ancestors. Early man had a big problem with cats. Many of them were much larger in size than they are now. They had meat appetites, even for humans. Because humans were not always at the top of the food chain, fear of cats was necessary for survival. If someone came into contact with a saber toothed tiger, it was his fear that could help him to fight or run away.
There are good omens of cats. A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it, also they say if a cat washes behind its ears, rain is coming. When a cat is sleeping with all four paws tucked under means old weather ahead. They also say that black cats blesses marriages, and they can draw wealth and prosperity. Black cats makes safe homes and good harvests. Blacks cats is supposed to be believed to lead you to treasure.
It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. “Never kick a cat or you will get bad luck, never drown one or the devil will get you” (http://www.kinrossfolds.com). Throughout the world it is considered to be bad luck to mistreat a cat. The respect for the black cat is probably connected in religions in which the cat is a sacred animal and where retribution would befall those who harmed it. In Bohemia, the cat is regarded as a symbol of fertility and one buried in a field of grain will guarantee a good harvest.
The Japanese prefer their own native cats with short tails because they are less likely to bewitch humans. Japanese sailors have taken different color cats on their ships to bring them good luck. The figure of a cat with its left paw raised is commonly seen in gift shops in that country, where they are sold as souvenirs. It is said that the beckoning cat brings good fortune to its owner.
People say that when cat is looking out of a window it is looking for rain. In America, black and white and also grey cats are to be lucky. It is unlikely to hear a cat crying before setting off on a journey. If this happens, return and find out what it wants. No cat which has been bought will ever be any good at catching mice. Indonesians believe that if you wash your cat it will bring rain. In Western Europe it is widely believed that if a cat washes over its ears, it is a sign of rain. When cats rush about wildly, clawing at curtains and cushions, it means that wind is coming. When cats sit with their back to the fire, look out for frost or a storm.