Overview
Black cats have been one of the common symbols in Halloween history, becoming considered to be one of the most common motifs since the 20th century. Black cats have been considered bad luck since the twelfth century in medieval Europe, when Pope Innocent VIII declared that cats were an idol to witches and the devil’s favorite animal, causing the now common trope of cats being unlucky and cursed, causing them to fall from grace and to be harmed in fear of them causing harm. But it was not always like this.
Their original Grace
Before the European renouncement, Cats in general were considered to be a symbol of luck. As the Egyptians have a goddess named Basset, who is seen associated with protection and fertility and was commonly depicted as a black cat. They were even seen to be a luxury to own a domesticated cat, giving them jewels and keeping them well fed,
even mummifying them when they passed on, according to Chewy. Scotland and Japan also see Black cats as a symbol of protection
Cats are also seen to be a symbol of luck in Asian cultures with the Japanese Maneki-neko or more commonly known as the lucky cat. Maneki-neko figurines are seen to symbolize good luck, prosperity, and wealth, and are common symbols in Asian culture.
So if most cultures see black cats as something to be worshipped, then why do we see them as bad luck and a common trope for Halloween?
A Witch’s Best Friend
Even though a good number of countries and cultures are shown to see cats as beings of luck and protection, there were a few groups who. In medieval Europe, around the twelfth century, a rumor began to go around of black cats being the disguise of the devil due to Celtic history (which is the origin of many Halloween traditions and motifs). There was talk of Cat Sith, who in a few tellings could steal souls or shift nine times into human form. This and Pope Innocent VIII agreeing to and declaring that the devil rumors were true, causing persistent animal abuse in the name of purification, which has been persistent enough that there are rumors of persecutions and spiked harm to Black Cats throughout the Halloween season, according to Pet Care.
The Truth
While it may seem like it from rumors and to whatever Halloween memorabilia is sold, cats were never unlucky, seen by more cultures to be symbols of luck, protection, and fertility, and the cultures that do believe it was for either superstition or rumors stemmed from purity culture
