It’s late and you’re walking home alone. Look one way, look another… Something is moving! From up on the roof, he appears: a black cat. For many people, the first reaction is to run, after all, black kittens are bad luck. But how true is this superstition?
Obviously, that this is a myth. This idea that black cats bring bad luck and curses dates back many centuries, back to the Middle Ages, but is still very present in the popular imagination.
The problem is that this myth has been so widespread in society that black cats are now targets of countless violence and abandonment.
Come with us to understand this subject better!
How did the myth of the black cat come about?
During the Middle Ages, there was a whole mystique involving rituals, spells and witchcraft. Women who did not follow Christianity and were involved in mysticism, especially in handling herbs to cure some diseases, were considered witches.
This fame, unfortunately, led to many deaths, as the church and government of the time claimed that these women made demonic pacts and did not follow Christian precepts.
Part of this belief involved black cats. They were believed to be disguised witches who roamed the city at night.mainly due to the color associated with darkness and the antichrist.
This idea became so strong that Pope Gregory IX (1170-1241) decided to exterminate all black cats in Europe, in order to combat what he called “beings that were the incarnation of the devil”.
The myth of the black cat still persists
Although absurd, don’t think that this superstition is behind us. The myth that black cats bring bad luck still persists in the collective imagination and promotes different types of violence towards felines.
In 2022, in the Santarém region, in Pará, a black cat was found dead next to an electricity pole suspected of having been used in a magic ritual.
In June 2023, in Limeira (SP), another black cat was found by locals in a forest region with its internal organs removed, also in a supposed mystical ritual.
Another similar case happened in May 2023, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Two black kittens were found dead near a condominium in the city, victims of poisoning.
Unfortunately, the idea that black cats are bad luck still persists. Black kittens, which have nothing to do with this, suffer much more than other breeds or cats of other colors.
The task, therefore, is to create popular awareness to preserve the lives of these animals and demystify any and all ideas that associate these felines with bad energy, bad luck or cursed beings.
The black cat in other cultures
If certain cultures believed that the black cat was a symbol of bad luck, others had an extremely opposite interpretation of this idea.
The Egyptians, for example, believed that the pussy was the representative of bets, goddess of reproduction, music, fertility, love and dance. The cult of felines was so great that they were mummified when they died.
The Japanese are also worshipers of felines, so much so that they created a day in the national calendar just to honor these creatures: the Neko-no-Hi, National Cat Day is celebrated every February 22nd.
Belgium is a well-known case for changing the view on cats, essentially black cats. The country, which until 1817 had the custom of throwing cats out of the window, Cloth Halltoday holds the Cat Festivalwhich takes place every three years with the purpose of celebrating the lives of these furry animals and reinforcing the end of mistreatment of these animals.
In the world, there is a special day for black felines: August 17th is International Black Cat Appreciation Daywhich aims to reduce violence against these animals and celebrate the beauty and existence of these cats.
black cat breeds
In total, there are 22 breeds of cats that include dark-colored felines. Each one will have some particularity in their coat, with shinier, softer or shorter hair, but the black color is the predominant one.
See some breeds of black kittens:
- Maine Coon
- No declared breed
- Lost
- By Short English
- Bombay
- Egyptian
- exotic cat
- Norwegian forest
- Chantilly-Tiffany
- American Shorthair
- Bobtail Americano
- Angora
- Devon Rex
ideas of names for black cats
Black kittens and kittens are usually the cats with the funniest and funniest names. We’ve listed some ideas for you to get inspired. Just take a look:
Names for black cats (females)
- Gunpowder
- Mysticism
- Pretinha
- Dark
- Spark
- Dark
- Blackie
- Aphrodite
- Cocoa
- Pantera
- Midnight
- Jaguar
- Oreo
- Neguinha
- Cookie
- Lua
- Night
- Sombra
- Don’t
- Cocoa
Names for black cats (males)
- Café
- Night
- Night
- Smoke
- Pantera
- Bat
- Lobo
- Combat boots
- Dark
- Coal
- Black
- Shrimp
- little black
- Frajola
- Nescau
- Toddy
- Puma
- Nocturnal
- Eclipse
- Matte
How to protect your black cat in Friday the 13th
Now that you know the risks these kittens face on dates like Friday the 13th and Halloween, you also need to understand how to protect them.
First of all, if you are involved in pet donation organizations, avoid donating them on these specific daysas they can be used for magic and torture rituals.
Another tip that, although basic, needs to be reinforced: if your feline is black, avoid leaving it on the street or in any room in the house that has direct contact with pedestrians. Violence can even happen to cats inside the residence.
If you notice any unusual situation involving violence with black kittens, go to the nearest police station and report it, after all, the practice is considered a crime. Article 32 of the Environmental Crimes Law (nº 9,605/98) says:
“Performing acts of abuse, mistreatment, injuring or mutilating wild, domestic or domesticated, native or exotic animals: Penalty – detention, from three months to one year, and fine.”
4 benefits of adopting a black kitten
Adopting a black cat is great! These felines, in addition to being beautiful and charming, may have greater resistance to some diseases.
1. Beauty
The similarity between a black cat and a panther is no coincidence: it is impossible to see a cat of this type and not be enchanted by so much beauty.
Their dark fur shines in the sun, while at night it reflects natural light. The eyes are also charming: they can be yellow, green and blue, especially when they are still puppies and the melanocytes (cells responsible for eye color) have not yet been activated in the body.
2. Health
It is already known that cats have a life expectancy of between 12 and 18 years, and this includes dark-colored cats. However, kittens with this coat are more resistant to FIV, a type of feline AIDS that weakens the immune system and leaves animals more susceptible to contracting other diseases.
3. Change in coat
Black cats can change their coat throughout their lives, which brings even more charm and charm to this pet. One of them happens when pets get olderwith gray hair invading the entire body and alternating with black fur.
Another change in the coat is related to the time the kittens spend in the sun. Pussies that receive a lot of sun rays can have rusty hair, in shades of brown and red. This condition is temporary, and the black coat may return as soon as they are out of the sun for a while.
4. Conscious adoption
Did you know that dark-colored cats are more difficult to donate? Misinformation, prejudice and superstition contribute to the fact that 60% of kittens waiting for a home are black, according to the NGO Catland.
In fact, on the NGO’s website you can find available kittens to find a home and start the process of adopting a kitten.
A black cat has nothing to do with bad luck or bad energy, nor with witchcraft or mystical rituals. Understanding that this is all superstition is the first step to provide dignity for the existence of these animals and value the quality and longevity of these felines’ lives.
Take the opportunity to learn a little more about the Angora breed, which has black kittens. Just click on the banner below to find out everything this breed is capable of, as well as its origin, habits and predisposition to diseases. See you next time!
