Black cats: Dark myths, bad luck and the truth behind it all

[icymist]

On every Friday the 13th, children and believers in the metaphysical are thinking about things that bring them bad luck – broken mirrors, walking under a ladder, stepping on a crack and black cats crossing their paths.

The stigma surrounding black cats goes back centuries, all the way to Greek mythology.

In stories, a servant named Galinthias turns into a black cat before joining Hecate – goddess of death. Black cats became known as an omen of death.

By the Middle Ages, black cats became associated with black magic. Pope Gregory XI even published the “Vox in Rama” document in 1233 to deal with the topic of devil worship. In it, he claimed that black cats were the incarnation of Satan. Throughout the next century, black cats were slaughtered and their population dwindled.

Skip ahead to the witch-hunt era. Black cats were seen as being such evil companions and witches’ “familiars” that they were burned in baskets alongside their owner.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/life/pets/black-cats-dark-myths-bad-luck-and-truth-behind-it-all

[libodem]

1. My last black cat

Was 21 when she passed. The other was about 12. I love black cats. They are special.

[PADemD]

2. Friday the 13th

Friday, October 13, 1307 was a very unlucky day for hundreds of French Knights Templar who, at the request of King Phillip IV and Pope Clement V, were arrested, accused of heresy, and tortured.

[Cleita]

3. My black cat gets me into trouble with the neighbors and the law.

The last incident of him biting led to a quarantine of our animals even though he had gotten his rabies shots. Family was really pissed.

[arikara]

4. That's strange isn't it?

Cats don't normally run around biting like a dog do they? Well we have a little black cat and he gives little love bites when he gets affectionate. His teeth are pretty sharp but he would never break the skin. My last black cat would give a love bite here and there too.