Does a black cat give you bad luck or good luck?

Question

My friend told me that if a black cat crosses your path it means GOOD luck, but isn't it suppose to be bad luck?

Answer 1

There are those who would like to perpetuate the myth that a black cat is bad luck. NOT true. Good luck all around.

Answer 2

I've heard that black cats were said to be bad luck, not because of anything evil, but because way back then rooms were lit with candles and there was not a lot of illumination. So, when people walked around in the dark they would trip or step on a black cat and fall and get hurt. I have a black cat, his name is Harry, and on my way to the fridge for some late snacks I have tripped over him twice, hitting my head and pinky. Does he bring bad luck? No!!!I should just turn on the light.

Answer 3

I've always heard black cats are bad luck. I am yet another person that lives with a black cat and I don't buy it.
Plus, way back in the day (when I assume this originated) most cats appeared black outside at night. So there were surely many cases of mistaken identity.
We make our own luck anyway.

Answer 4

Black cats are symbols of good luck generally, but like all energies, there is a duality. I was taught that if a black cat crosses your path to the left, it it good luck, and if it crosses to your right, it is a sign of bad luck or troubles to come.
In many forms of magick, you burn a black cat candle for good luck,uncrossings, and to turn bad luck into good luck. In Haitian and New Orleans Vodou, black cat bones are carried for good luck, especially when gambling.

Answer 5

Traditionally (at least in the West) a black cat crossing your path is bad luck, but letting one into your home is good luck (for you). However, as with most mythology, it all depends on where you are.

Answer 6

Superstition is wrong, and I'll tell you why. Throughout history people have often tormented and killed innocent animals, cats in particular, because of superstitious nonsense linking them with magic. Cats are beautiful animals, graceful and interesting to watch, learn about, and love. I have a particular fondness for black cats too, because the first cat I ever remember having in our family was black, and the nicest cat you could ever imagine. So forget 'good luck' or 'bad luck' and spend your energy learning the many interesting and useful facts to be found about our animal friends.

Answer 7

Due to the church's association of black cats to witchcraft, most Western culture considers them to be bad luck. Personally I don't believe it. My cat is black, and no bad luck has ever come my way. I suppose it all depends on your own beliefs.

Answer 8

It all depends...There are different variations of superstitions in every culture all over the world. Here in America, the black cat represents bad luck because black represents evil and witches familiars were also depicted as black cats...but in England, a white cat is considered bad luck and a black cat prevented bad luck (i.e. sailor's wives would keep them at home to prevent disasters at sea.)

Answer 9

this is an urban legend, black cats are usually associated with bad luck though.....i havent heard people talking about good luck and a black cat in folklore before..haha...

but in reality, a black cat will give u no more good or bad luck than any other cat....they can also make wonderful loving pets, it doesnt mean they have to be white, or black, or ginger...they're just cats....lol

Answer 10

Good luck ...
Here is the proof:

1) -- In Europe, apart in Italy or Spain, a black cat crossing one's path is considered GOOD luck; however they were also seen by the church as associated with witches. Black cats (and sometimes, other animals of the same colour, or even white cats) were sometimes suspected of being the familiars of witches. The black cat was still usually seen as GOOD luck.

In places which saw few witch hunts, black cats retained their status as GOOD luck, and are still considered as such in Britain and Ireland


2) --- Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered the gene mutations associated with a black coat in three types of black cats: the domestic cat, jaguar and South American jaguarundi.

Stephen O'Brien, who has been studying feline genetics for 25 years, said the mutations affect a gene in the same family as one that causes a resistance to HIV in humans.

"There is a mutation in humans that knocks this gene out and causes complete resistance to HIV," O'Brien said. "So it may be that these cats have a high frequency of black because they (achieved) some sort of resistance by blocking some infectious agent."

An upcoming study will likely examine whether black breeds are resistant to feline HIV, he said.