Witchcraft, specters, and bad omens; these are how the black cat is known. As such, their associations with spooky myths have made them the purrfect icon for the upcoming Halloween night. However, that en-tails the ultimate question this holiday: how did these cute companions gain such a bad reputation? Here’s a breakdown of their wide array of depictions throughout history and how this superstition came to be!

Familiars

Witchcraft, the work of Satan and witches, is the most popular and well known start to the infamy of black cats. Their dark fur caused medieval Europeans to associate them with the night-time, secrecy, and worst of all: dark magic. Witches were believed to summon demonic spirits, in which they’d take the form of many shapes, often the mysterious feline. As their supernatural servants, witches could see through the cat’s eyes and curse those that had harmed them. One medieval belief portrayed these furry friends as sinful humans, forced to return to the overworld. 

Cat-síth, the Soul-Stealer

Tricky and soul-snatching, the Cat-Síth was known to wreak havoc in the Scottish Highlands. Originating from Scottish folklore, this malevolent witch possessed the ability to become the black cat exactly nine times; origin of the nine lives legend. During dark, the feline would pounce on unsuspecting souls and carried an appetite especially for those awaiting burial. Thus, loved ones performed watches day and night, humorously used methods of distractions against the Cat-Sith, such as leaping, wrestling, and catnip to ward it away; super similar to present-day.

Deities of the Caribbean

Even the plundering pirates of England held a black cat superstition. A black cat aboard a ship was considered extremely lucky and brought great fortune. When boarded on deck, the mere demeanor of the shadowy feline could simply foreshadow the crew’s journey: licking its fur meant hail, sneezing meant rain, and a frisky attitude meant wind. However, if the cat became just as bored as to disembark or to walk the plank, they believed the ship to inevitably sink. 

Despite their adorableness and silken dark fur, many people still fear coming across black cats today; an ever-lasting tradition. Their dark coats and piercing eyes seem to naturally make them easy prey to myth, superstition, and to becoming a staple in Halloween tradition. Next time you come across one of these inky felines, show them so much love because the next person might think them “evil incarnate.”