Myth and superstition have both been part of many cultures for a long time. The former is a social construct and the latter is a belief in supernatural beings and its possible influences. Although these social constructs or beliefs have no basis in sciences, they are widely accepted or at least recognized. Take for instance, black cats being associated with bad luck is one of the most well-known myths and superstitions. Cats are considered divine in some cultures and bad luck in others. Depending on the stories and experiences each culture has passed on to each generation we could see that beliefs could differ.
Black cats have long been associated with supernatural beings. The origin dates back to the 13th century when Pope Gregory IX in 1233 issued cats as an incarnation of Satan in one of the official church documents to eradicate the Luciferans in Germany. This belief spread quickly across Europe. Witches and cats served as threats to early Christian churches as some priestess claimed witches to be pre-Christian pagans. However, both of their bold traits under authority were also said to be another threatening component. In other countries, cats were even blamed for the spreading of the Bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death which struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. This superstition paved the way for new superstitions linking black cats and witches. It still remains unclear as to why cats linked to witches narrowed to black cats, but this belief quickly spread across nations.
However, a lot of people do not realize that black cats have also been considered to bring good luck through ages in some cultures. In ancient Egypt, cats resembled the cat-goddess of home, fertility, and protection from disease known as Bastet. Early 1900’s vintage postcards also make it readily apparent that black cats were well-loved and considered good luck in America. Across Europe, there are plenty of tales about black cats being lucky for sailors. They believed that having a black cat on board their ship would bring them good luck while some fishermen's wives kept black cats at home to influence the safe return of their husbands.
Another prominent black cat superstition that contradicts with other cultures is that you'll be cursed with bad luck if they pass you. That depends on who you ask. For instance, in many other areas of Europe, black cats are considered bad luck especially if you cross paths with one, which is said to be an omen of death. In other countries such as Scotland, however, there is a superstition that if a strange black cat arrives at home, this signifies prosperity.
Myths differ in every country depending on the experiences they have encountered, like the myth and superstitions about black cats. It varies in every country, whether it brings good luck or bad luck, and this myth has been handed down to our generation. Knowing the history of its myths and superstitions can be a way for us to get to know more about what has happened and learn the history of the country, whether it be a fact or not.
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