Contributed/East Tennessean

Cats have a long and revered history, with some of the most notable examples in ancient Egypt, where they were worshiped. Cats have even been found buried with humans. The first of these mixed burials was found in Cyprus around 9,500 years ago. Some cats, more specifically black cats, have a more recent history dating back to different European superstitions during the Middle Ages, which say that they bring both bad and good luck.

In medieval Europe, it was believed that witches would use black cats as familiars. A familiar is an animal that is said to help a witch in their magical practices. Another definition of a familiar is a witch that can actually disguise itself as an animal.

Because of this lore, it is said that black cats were bad omens. I’m sure we’ve all heard the superstition that if a black cat crosses your path, it is going to bring you misfortune or, in extreme cases, death. Though in Germany, it is said that this omen of a black cat crossing your path could actually be good luck. It just depends on the direction. If a black cat crosses your path from left to right, it is a bad omen, but right to left, it is said to bring good luck

To go a little further into how people believed that black cats predicted death, in 16th-century Italy, it was said that if a black cat were to interact with a sick person in any way, but specifically lying on their bed with them, it would make them die even sooner. On the other hand, in England and Scotland, it was seen as good fortune for a black cat to come to your house, and it could even bring good health and prosperity. France has a different telling of this, where if you encounter a black cat, it is insinuating that something magical is about to happen in your life.

Going back to the origin of cats being good luck in ancient Egypt, black cats were very closely associated with the goddess Bastet, who protected homes and families. She was even known to aid in fertility, which carried through to different English folklore that if you are gifted a black cat as a wedding gift, you are going to have a very successful and fruitful marriage.

As for today, black cats are very strongly associated with mystery and magic. Many people still like to view them as this iconic being that brings good luck and prosperity to life, but there are still some old wives’ tales insinuating a need to be wary.

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