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Tarred Innocents or Dark Omens?: The Ambiguous Legends of Black Cats
| Article
# : |
11050 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
11 / 1993 |
2,490 Words |
| Author
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Linda K. Wood
Linda K. Wood is a free-lance journalist. Her family has owned
five black cats. She became interested in superstitions about
them when dinner guests from Germany asked if she was not
afraid that black cats would bring her family bad luck. |
What is it about black cats? As Halloween approaches, their pictures appear everywhere. Backs arched and mouths silently screeching, they adorn classroom windows, candy displays, and private homes. One would be hard-pressed to find a cat of any other color among Halloween decorations. Owners of black cats, aware that pranksters often steal these animals on Halloween, keep their pets indoors.
"There is a bit of mystery about them," says Josie, a computer scientist who has owned three. "But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for black cats."
In the Middle Ages, however, religious leaders felt no affection for black cats. Considered demonic, they were roasted alive. Traces of such attitudes persist even today.
Paul, a seventeen year old, has had five black cats. His current pet, Nicky, can open unlatched doors or pull out drawers and help himself to the contents. "But my other black cats couldn't do that," says Paul. "I don't think black cats are smarter than any others."
The peasants of France would have disagreed. They believed that a black cat turned loose at the intersection of five roads was smart enough to lead a person to buried treasures. Various cultures have thought black cats could cure blindness, make a person invisible, guarantee suitors for young maidens, and protect fishermen.
International superstitions
The most common American superstition regarding black cats states that if a black cat crosses in front of you, you will have bad luck. But in New England and eastern Kansas, being followed by a black feline traditionally has meant good fortune. On the other hand, African American lore includes several stories about black cats causing bad luck.
The British have viewed the felines quite charitably. Wives of British fishermen kept black cats in the home so their husbands would be safe at sea. The men thought it lucky to have one, but not two, of the black creatures aboard ship.
More evidence of British favor comes from an old saying that promises many boyfriends to young women who own black cats: "Whenever the cat of the house is black, the lasses of lovers will have no lack."
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