Cats and superstition
In Western society a black cat crossing your path means bad luck. During the Middle Ages cats were considered allies of witches other dark forces. The colour black (whether or not related to cats) has always been associated with evil and death; black horses and ravens were also considered best to be avoided. However, seeing black cats doesn’t always have a negative meaning, meeting a black cat in the UK would bring you luck, whilst meeting a white cat is considered a bad omen.
The dark Middle Ages
In some nations, the cat was considered evil incarnate. The devil could be seen in its eyes. People used to think witches could take on the shape of a cat, so they could move around unnoticed. Witch hunts in the UK were even specifically targeting cats. They were blamed for truly everything bad: the plague, but also a sprained ankle or finger. Due to this, cats were often abused, mingled and killed. They were clubbed to death, buried alive, burned, and sacrificed to evil spirits.
Ieper, a town in Belgium, still honours this tradition by organising a cat festival every three years. Fortunately, during this festival cats are nowadays honoured and worshipped, and they are not despised any more. History, however, is also remembered during the festival: fake cats are been thrown of high towers.
The belief that cats were accomplices of the devil was not only a dangerous thing for cats themselves, but also for cat owners and cat lovers. They were thought to be working for the devil as well. The most ridiculous judgements were made. Many single small coincidences were tied together to form a devil’s crime. For example, when someone took a cat home and that same day the neighbour’s cow died, the new cat owner was sentenced. People were even burned at the stake just for owning a cat.
Other kinds of superstition
Other kinds of superstition involving cats are less well-known but do still exist. If a cat gets too close to your mouth for example, it could soak in your breath like a vampire. A cat that dies in your house or moves along with you to a new house is a bad luck omen. A cat washing its nose or grooming itself is considered an omen to a nice visitor coming your way. A cat is even considered to be able to predict the weather. If it licks its coat following the hair, you may expect nice weather. If it licks its coat the other way, do expect rain.
Cast as the underdog in cartoons
Cats still play their evil parts in various cartoons. Mean witches often have cats as companions. The evil wizard Gargamel from the Smurfs has a mean cat named Azrael to keep him company. Cats are often portrayed as underdogs, just think about Tom & Jerry!
Cat worship
Not all cat history is evil and violent. The cat has also been worshipped and honoured! The Egyptians believed a cat was a good luck omen. Cats helped them protect their grain supplies from mice and other vermin, and the cat shaped goddess Bastet took in a prominent place in Egyptian religion. Some cats were even mummified to grant them a place in the afterlife. In their graves even various gifts were found. In German mythology wild cats pulled the wagon of Freya, goddess of fertility, love and beauty. They rode the clouds together.Cats always were and will always be surrounded by mystery… and that’s the charm of this animal.