Why is it that because today is Friday the 13th, that people are genuinely more concerned about a black cat crossing their path? One possible explanation is that the age old superstition has been so ingrained in our minds, probably since we were just children, that it can sometimes be hard to just ignore. We have been brought up to be superstitious of many things besides a black cat, like walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella in the house, and even breaking a mirror. Most of these fears have a central underlying theme…that we will be forced to live a life of bad luck. Well, not all cat superstitions should be feared, as quite a few of them would actually bring good luck and wealth.
For thousands of years, black cats have been regarded as mysterious creatures with supernatural powers and were associated with witches and even death. It was believed that witches could change into cats and that they could make that change nine times, which is where the believe that cats have nine lives came from. There are many superstitions associated with cats, partly because the cat has lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Superstitions centering around the black cat are some of the most well-known and popular superstitions today.
Did you know that the superstition of a black cat crossing your path only means bad luck in the United States and several European countries? If you live in Japan or Britain, this would be a sign of good luck to come. Also in America, there is a superstition about white cats. Seeing a white cat at night will bring you bad luck, but if you dream about a white cat, that’s a sign of good luck to come your way.
An Irish cat superstition states that if you kill a cat, you will be burdened by 17 years of bad luck, while a Scottish believe is a strange black cat on your porch will bring you and your family prosperity. In Italy, a cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it, again referring to having good luck brought upon you in your lifetime. In the Netherlands, cats were not allowed in rooms where private family discussions were going on, as the Dutch believed that cats would spread gossips around the town. This also goes back to the superstition that cats possess some sort of supernatural powers. In Egypt, it was once believed that the life-giving rays of the sun were kept in a cat’s eyes at night for safekeeping, being able to save lives if needed.
Each and every one of these superstitions are just that, superstitions. So many of us believe in them in one form or another, that in some ways they are considered actual beliefs as opposed to folklore. Rest assured that if a black cat crosses your path, even on Friday the 13th, that you will be no worse off than you were prior to seeing it!
