"If you're superstitious, you might draw back uneasily after all, black cats are seen by many as a sign of impending bad luck, especially if the cat crosses from left to right. With their piercing eyes, dark glossy coats and graceful, stealthy movements, black cats have an air of mystery about them. In many cultures, they're a symbol of the supernatural."
"Their dark reputation dates back to the Middle Ages, when they served as scapegoats, themselves victims of a fear of evil. During the witch hunts, people believed black cats were actually witches who had transformed themselves, slipping secretly through the night to spread misfortune. Considered creatures of the devil, they were often burned alongside the supposed witches. Many old paintings and drawings depict witches with black cats at their sides."
Black cats have long been associated with mystery, the supernatural and bad luck. Their striking eyes, glossy black coats and stealthy movements contribute to their eerie image. That reputation originated in the Middle Ages when black cats were scapegoats during witch hunts, often believed to be witches in animal form and burned alongside accused humans. Rituals in parts of Europe included burning and throwing cats. European emigrants carried these superstitions to North America, where the 19th-century rise of Halloween incorporated black cats into decorations, costumes and popular imagery, making them enduring symbols of the eerie.
Read at www.dw.com
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