Why is a black cat bad luck?

Question

Also, how many years of bad luck is that?

Answer 1

Witchcraft and superstition
Historically, black cats were symbolically associated with witchcraft and evil. In Hebrew and Babylonian folklore, cats are compared to serpents, coiled on a hearth.

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; however, in the USA and parts of Europe (e.g. Spain), which saw witch hunts, the association with witches caused them to be considered as bad 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.

However in Romanian and Indian culture, especially in the historical region of Moldavia in Romania and everywhere in India, one of the strongest superstitions still feared by many people is that black cats crossing their path represents bad luck, despite the fact that these regions were never affected by witch hunts or anti-paganism.

Since the 1880s, the color black has been associated with anarchism. The black cat, in an alert, fighting stance was later adopted as an anarchist symbol.

More specifically, the black cat — often called the "sab cat" or "sabo-tabby"[1] — is associated with anarcho-syndicalism, a branch of anarchism that focuses on workers' rights. See wildcat strike.

In testimony before the court in a 1918 trial of Industrial Workers of the World leaders, Ralph Chaplin, who is generally credited with creating the IWW's black cat symbol, stated that the black cat "was commonly used by the boys as representing the idea of sabotage. The idea being to frighten the employer by the mention of the name sabotage, or by putting a black cat somewhere around. You know if you saw a black cat go across your path you would think, if you were superstitious, you are going to have a little bad luck. The idea of sabotage is to use a little black cat on the boss."[2]

Since the 1880s, the color black has been associated with anarchism. The black cat, in an alert, fighting stance was later adopted as an anarchist symbol.

More specifically, the black cat — often called the "sab cat" or "sabo-tabby"[1] — is associated with anarcho-syndicalism, a branch of anarchism that focuses on workers' rights. See wildcat strike.

In testimony before the court in a 1918 trial of Industrial Workers of the World leaders, Ralph Chaplin, who is generally credited with creating the IWW's black cat symbol, stated that the black cat "was commonly used by the boys as representing the idea of sabotage. The idea being to frighten the employer by the mention of the name sabotage, or by putting a black cat somewhere around. You know if you saw a black cat go across your path you would think, if you were superstitious, you are going to have a little bad luck. The idea of sabotage is to use a little black cat on the boss."[2]

Bohemian culture
Théophile Steinlen's advertisement for the tour of the Chat Noir cabaretLe Chat Noir (French for "The Black Cat") was a 19th-century cabaret in the notoriously bohemian Montmartre district of Paris. It was opened on 18 November 1881 at 84 Boulevard Rouchechouart by the artist Rodolphe Salis, and closed in 1897 (much to the disappointment of Picasso and others who looked for it when they came to Paris for the Exposition in 1900).

go to this site for more info>http://www.csicop.org/superstition/library/blackcat.html

Do Black Cats Cause Bad Luck?
http://www.petcaretips.net/black_cat_luck.html

http://www.oldsuperstitions.com/bad_luck.html
http://www.halloween-website.com/superstitions.htm
Black Cats

Black cats have long been believed to be a supernatural omen since the witch hunts of the middle ages when cats were thought to be connected to evil. Since then, it is considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLJ_enCA249CA249&q=black+cat+bad+luck

Answer 2

Its not bad luck, but here goes anyway


In much of the world the black cat is considered unlucky. This superstition is carried on from very ancient times. The most common belief is that if a black cat crosses your intended path, then bad luck will befall you. To reverse the curse of a black cat crossing your path, first walk in a circle, then go backward across the spot where it happened and count to 13, chanting a charm.

Black cat, cross my path - good fortune bring to home and hearth. When I am away from home, bring me luck wherever I roam
- Old English Charm

However, black cats have many associations with good luck as well. It is said if you dream of a black cat, then you will have good luck and in some cultures brides were given black cats as mascots on their wedding day. In Scotland, if a black cat crosses your path it is meant to be a definite sign of good things to come, and likewise if a strange black cat stops on your porch it will bring prosperity to the household. The tail of a black cat was believed to cure a stye if it was stroked over the afflicted eye and perhaps not so lucky for the cats, a stew made from black cats would theoretically cure consumption1.

Answer 3

Black cats are neither good or bad luck, they're just cats. Actually if you look at a black cat in the full sun you will notice that it's fur is really very dark brown. If you're that superstitious stay away from cats altogether. All cats can be mysterious at times and they tend to be very quiet in their movements so they seem to appear out of nowhere if you aren't paying attention. I've had cats of just about every color over the years and none of them has brought me good or bad luck. They just bring love. LL

Answer 4

In egyptian Mythology cats were worshiped like gods. but during the middle ages christians associated cats with witches because the were perseved to be there familiare (an item or creature wich power can be chanelled through to make the practitioner stronger) of cause this was then considered true in those times of the curches rule so the superstition has stayed with us. Suposable it was 7 years of bad luck if a cat crossed your path but thats just like breaking a mirror is not bad luck it is just a superstition.

Answer 5

Historically, black cats were symbolically associated with witchcraft and evil. In Hebrew and Babylonian folklore, cats are compared to serpents, coiled on a hearth. Black cats (and sometimes, other animals of the same colour, or even white cats) were sometimes suspected of being the familiars of witches.

Unlike getting bad luck for breaking a mirror which, would last for seven years, take 12 steps back to ward off bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

Answer 6

Black was thought to be an evil color. Cats were also thought to be familiars of witches (familiars help in spells and are loyal to the specific witch). There are supposedly 7 years of bad luck after a black cat crosses your path

Answer 7

Black cats are not bad luck. They just have a bad reputation. I have one that just moved in on my porch about three days ago. I got to pet him/her today. I will gain his/her trust with food and love and then I will find him/her a home since I can't keep him/her because I have older dogs who don't like upheaval in their lives. He/she is just a sweet lonely creature looking for some food and love, no different than any other cat. And no bad luck can come from showing kindness to a fellow creature.

Answer 8

I hope they are not because I have one and she is very intelligent. I don't think they are any more bad luck than having a friend who has black or white skin is bad luck, but I don't study the supernatural.

Answer 9

Black cats are good luck,,,
It just depends on your perspective.
I call 'em "solar Powered" because they like to lay in the sunlight and purr.

Answer 10

Black cats are no different from any other cat.

Answer 11

My baby Onxy is not bad luck. How dare you call my kitty that. Oh and it's because christian fundies say they are.