Why Black Cats Are Hated: The Origin of Superstitions

By Corliss Jacobs

A long time ago, humans lived without knowing all the incredible things we know now. It's easy to take our medicine, technology, and accomplishments today for granted. If you were to tell a woman in medieval times that a human man went to the moon, she simply would not be able to comprehend it. However, we must remember to give our ancestors credit. They did their best to explain the world we live in, and in doing so left behind many concepts we still remember and use today — whether they be good or bad. Superstition, such as throwing spilled salt over your shoulder, is one such holdover. My mom instilled that one in me at a young age, and even though it is silly, I do it every time I cook. So I decided to look into the history of these little beliefs, curious about how people once took them as absolute fact. 

For example, black cats are said to be bad luck. This started in the thirteenth century. The Catholic Church associated cats with Satan, since it was believed that both the Devil and many witches could take the form of a feline as a disguise. It ended up being the poor midnight kitties who got the worst rep of them all, since their dark coat seemed to match the dark works of evil. To this day, many black cats don't get adopted thanks to that superstition. I think this is a trend that needs to end. Black cats deserve just as much love as any other kitty. In fact, many superstitions come from the old churches. A lesser-known superstition states that it is bad luck to place your hat on your bed. This originated in Italy, when the priest visiting a dying person for final rites would always place his hat on the foot of the bed. Because of that association with death, it evolved over time into a symbol of doom and foreboding. Obviously, it is nothing more than superstition, but I still find myself avoiding putting my hats on the bed - - - just in case. Finally, my favorite superstition origin is that grade school favorite: “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.” It is thought to come from European and African folklore. Any cracks or fissures in the ground were believed to be portals to the underworld and all the wicked spirits beneath. Stepping on one would release a spirit, who would then harm your loved ones — which, for many, is their mother. Who knew that a simple little crack in the sidewalk was a gateway to Hell? It certainly makes my morning walks more interesting. 

It’s funny to laugh at all the silly things we humans have come up with over the years. But at the same time, it’s kind of fascinating. People were living as best they could, trying to explain the world around them, and filling in the blanks with what little knowledge they had. While it was silly and often small-minded, it’s awesome how such little pieces of history still prevail among us today. Except for the black cat slander. Those poor animals deserve no hatred, even if they might be a witch in disguise.