please help!what animals do you know to be evil or related to witchcraft?

Question

i have to do this essay on devil animals like bats,cats,wolves and stuff like that.why are they regarded as evil?please help:(

Answer 1

BIRDS:
Superstition has held, for millennia, that the death of a bird in close proximity to a person’s home heralds the death of a member of the family. Likewise, a bird’s entry into a home can mean either an immanent death, or the arrival of an important message in the near future. Many people still believe that a bird tapping at the window is also an omen of impending death to one of the house’s occupants. This belief stems from the ancient belief that birds are actually the messengers of departed souls, or the souls themselves, come back to guide those soon to die.


BAT:
Perhaps because of its nocturnal nature, a manner once found odd and demonic, the bat’s place in myth and superstition is plagued by accusations of spreading death and misery. Often pictured escaping either the depths of Hell, or Pandora’s mythical box of sorrows, the bat’s reputation has never been a pleasant one. For centuries, a bat in the house was considered a sign of approaching death to a member of the family. Seen as evil and unlucky, or even as the Devil in disguise, the bat is the archetypal symbol of death in Western mythology. Strange, then, that the dried, powdered heart of a bat, when carried in the front pocket, was said to stop bullets or prevent a person from bleeding to death, as late as the early twentieth century. And, while such expressions as “blind as a bat” continue to prevail, the washing of one’s face in a bat’s blood was actually once thought to allow that person to see in the dark!

CAT:
Throughout time, the cat’s ability to avoid most dangers of death and bodily harm have sparked humanity’s own curiosity and imagination, bringing on mythological appearance and long lists of superstitions. For starters, it is often said that if a cat looks in a mirror, bad luck will follow. This superstition most likely sprang from the belief that cats, particularly black ones, were witches in disguise, and since witches used mirrors to cast harmful spells, therefore a cat staring into a mirror could mean nothing but trouble. Likewise, most people believe that a black cat crossing one’s path is bad luck. That idea, too, stems from the belief that the black cat is evil, and that an encounter with one meant that Satan had taken notice of that person.
Tthe black cat still tends to be viewed as a witch’s familiar, or companion. As such, it has been ascribed many special powers, including invisibility, shape-shifting, and the ability to cast magical spells. In fact, it was once believed that, should a black cat, or indeed any cat, jump over a dead body, the corpse would turn into a vampire. The only way to prevent this change was to kill the cat responsible. However, since it was also considered bad luck to kill a cat, there was really nothing to do but lock the dead body away in hopes no cat could find it.

MICE:
Mice, much like cats, were considered agents of the Devil and symbols of death and misfortune. Very likely because they were responsible for the spreading of various diseases, and because the cat population was kept under such stringent control because they were objects of evil purpose, the mouse enjoyed a certain freedom of movement while suffering a particularly malicious reputation. However, unlike the cat, the mouse was held in absolutely no reverence, and therefore, if a mouse was seen, it was very often immediately dispatched of. It might be prudent to note that there is some speculation that this centuries-old superstition of evil might, in fact, explain why Victorian ladies were always portrayed as being terrified of mice, as any lady of breeding should be absolutely horrified of anything wicked, by Victorian standards of thought.

Answer 2

No animal is inherently evil, in my opinion, but some animals have become associated with evil for whatever reason.

The goat is very often considered an evil symbol, or Satanic. I believe this goes back to the ancient practice in Israel of symbolically placing the sins of the people on a goat on the Day of Atonement. The goat was then to go wander in the wilderness, symbolically removing all the sins of the people from the camp. Some say this goat was being sent out as an offering to a demon of the wilderness named Azazel. This figure eventually became identified with a satanic figure.

Black cats are always said to represent evil or witches, but I'm not sure why. Maybe just because they are black, and black is a dark color. Other than that, I'm not sure.

Frogs are considered as evil creatures by Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism is the religion of ancient Persia, and there are still Zoroastrians today living in Iran and India. The book of Revelation in the Christian Bible contains a reference to frogs, as if they are demonic. This may be a sharing of ideas between Christians and Zoroastrians, or could just be a coincidence.

Answer 3

Why are you relating evil and evil animals (or devil anything) to witchcraft? As it has been stated animals are not evil, humans are. And for those who think people are not evil, how about Hitler? I know that is an extreme but how about child molesters and killers? Witches, in general, are not. Are you doing an essay that is suppose to be factual or mythical? The flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz seemed pretty evil to me! The closest thing I can think of when it comes to any animal being "evil" would be those who were trained to be mean by humans!

Answer 4

No animal is evil, evil is a human characteristic and animals are given the tag purely by association.
Wolves have little, if any connection to witchcraft and there are no documented cases of a human ever being harmed by a wolf.
During the Burning Times, animal familiars played a sizable role in the prosecution of 'witches'. It was believed at the time that all witches had an animal companion, that was really a demon in physical form. Seeing an animal in relationship with an accused individual would often be considered evidence to their witchery. Even something as meaningless as a mouse or fly in their jail cell. Even today, many non-Pagans who don't understand our beliefs consider any Pagan's animal companion to be an evil spirit in disguise.

Answer 5

PLEASE don't relate evil to witchcraft. They are not the same (unless you believe that). Why are cats considered evil? I agree that humans are the most evil creatures of all. Humans harm and kill others out of spite and hate. Animals do it for survival. I can't think of any "evil" animals since I like most of them.

Answer 6

The only evil animals I know are human.

Answer 7

this animal is not so much associated with witchcraft but the tazmanian devil reminds me of evil... because of it's temper and the horrifying sound it makes. but with witchcraft i would have to say black cats. how about snakes, or slugs (which is what the witches supposedly use in their potions, i think) good luck with your essay

Answer 8

black cats.. are related to witchcraft
bats, wolves are associated with vampire stuff

Answer 9

no animal is evil. only the human mind can consieve of evil and all evil is human.

Answer 10

guys he didnt want an analysis on how evil humans are........
which they arnt