In this article, we explore the complex history of black cats, tracing their symbolism from ancient civilizations through the Middle Ages, the witch hunts of Europe and America, and into the modern world. By uncovering the roots of this pervasive superstition, we can better understand not only our relationship with cats but also how fear, folklore, and religious zealotry can shape cultural beliefs.
1. Black Cats in the Ancient World: Sacred Symbols
The story of black cats doesn’t begin with fear—it begins with reverence.
In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals, celebrated for their grace, mystery, and usefulness. The Egyptian goddess Bastet (or Bast), the feline-headed deity of home, fertility, and protection, was often depicted as a lioness or domestic cat. Killing a cat, black or otherwise, was punishable by death, and many Egyptians were buried with their beloved felines.
Egyptians saw cats as protectors against evil spirits, disease, and vermin. Their night vision and hunting abilities earned them mystical status. There’s no evidence that black cats were singled out for negativity in Egypt. On the contrary, the color black was often associated with fertility and the life-giving silt of the Nile.
Elsewhere in the ancient world, black cats had mixed reputations. In Greek mythology, Hecate, the goddess of magic and the underworld, was associated with cats and often portrayed with a black cat as a familiar. The Romans adopted similar associations, sometimes venerating cats as symbols of independence and domestic guardianship, while also linking them to omens and the supernatural. shutdown123