Black cat superstition has followed these animals for centuries, but the fear really has no basis. The story is more interesting than the myth.
It begins in ancient Egypt, passes through medieval Europe and the witch trials, and ends in the rescue centres and living rooms of today. Along the way, black cats have been feared, honoured and overlooked, and in parts of Great Britain, one crossing your path still means good fortune.
Cats were sacred long before they were feared
To understand the superstition, we start in ancient Egypt. Cats were protected there, and the goddess Bastet was often shown with a cat’s head. Killing a cat could carry severe penalties, and cats were sometimes mummified as offerings.
Black cats were part of that respect. Their dark coats linked them with the night and the mysteries of the unseen, qualities the Egyptians admired rather than dreaded. Bad luck was nowhere in the picture.
That changed much later, when the ideas that shaped the superstition arrived in Europe.
How a cat became a witch’s companion
The turning point came in medieval Europe. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued a papal decree known as Vox in Rama, which linked black cats with devil worship. The decree did not single out black cats alone, but its language helped the association spread quickly across the continent.
Once the link took hold, black cats suffered most. Their dark coats made them easy to connect with witchcraft, and people began to see them as familiars, the spirit companions said to serve a witch. Many were harmed because of it.
The fear grew worse in the centuries that followed. During the witch trials of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, accusations often included a cat as evidence. Historians still debate whether culling cats worsened the Black Death, since fewer cats may have meant more rats. What is clear is that the fear of cats, and of black cats in particular, did lasting damage to the animals themselves.
Those fears lingered for centuries, long after the reasons behind them had faded.
Why black cats are lucky in Great Britain
Not every tradition followed the continental path. In Scotland, a black cat arriving at your door has long been treated as a sign of prosperity, and it was considered a welcome visitor rather than a warning. Many families would hope for one to come to the house.
The same idea travelled with the sailors. Sailors welcomed black cats aboard ship, believing they would keep the vessel safe and bring it home from long voyages. A cat that kept the rats down was valuable on any ship, and a black one carried extra good fortune.
These traditions show that the superstition was never universal. The idea that black cats bring misfortune was one version of the story, and far from the only one.
Why the myths still reach black cats today
Old superstitions do not stay in the past, they shape the lives of real cats today. Black cats are often the last to be chosen at rescue centres, even though they are just as loving, playful and affectionate as any other cat.
Did you know that in 2026, in the United States, one Kansas shelter paused black cat adoptions through Halloween to keep them safe? It is a sad reminder of how strongly a centuries-old myth can still affect a cat’s chance of finding a home.
If you’re thinking about adding a cat to your household, please consider a black cat. Many are waiting patiently for someone to look past the myths and see their beauty.
Every black cat has a personality of their own
Take it from us, those myths have little to do with the cats we have the pleasure of meeting. One black cat we visit is the centre of attention wherever he goes. He performs the most wonderfully silly acrobatic moves when he plays, and he loves nothing more than to instigate his brother and sister.
He is a big softie who adores his basket, though he never settles in it during visits because he has far too much energy. He is also always hungry, and may attempt to open food packets.
His personality is a good example of why the superstition makes so little sense. Black cats are loving, playful and full of character, just like the rest.
Keeping your black cat safe at Halloween
The fear of black cats may be unfounded, but Halloween can bring real fear for every cat owner. Sensible caution is the best approach and a few simple steps will keep your cat safer as the evening gets busy:
- Keep an eye on your cat as trick or treaters arrive.
- Bring your cat indoors earlier than usual, before the streets get busy, perhaps 4.30PM.
- Keep your cat inside altogether if you feel worried about them being out.
- Give your cat a quiet room to retreat to if the doorbell keeps ringing.
Sharing what you know to be true also helps. Many people repeat old superstitions without realising, so a friendly reminder about the luck black cats bring can change how someone sees them.
A black cat is a good luck charm all year round
The history of black cat superstition shows how a myth can take hold and outlast the reasons for it. Black cats have been feared, honoured, and overlooked, but they have never been unlucky. The truth is that a black cat in your home is a source of good fortune, not a warning.
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