Haughting Hour

All Hallow’s Eve is nigh, and with that comes the flurry of traditional Halloween imagery such as witches, skeletons, pumpkins, and of course black cats! Black cats are a staple of the Halloween season, but the lore behind them isn’t always so spooky. Black cats entered Halloween lore when holiday transitioned to its contemporary form from its previous Celtic origins, as they were associated with witches. But black cats are not always associated with the spookiness of Halloween and witches. Around the world and at various points throughout history, black cats have been seen held different positions of significance..

In many cultures, black cats are actually associated with good luck. In Japan, black cats are seen as good omens and if owned by a single female, it would bring her romantic suitors. In Scotland, a black cat on your property was a sure sign of prosperity. In France, having a black cat with at least a single white hair will also bring you prosperity. In Germany, a cat’s luck really has to do with the direction in which they are encountered. See a cat cross in front of your from right to left? That’s good luck. Left to right? Not so much.

Cats aren’t the only animal with folklore associated with their black color: black dogs also have their share of superstitions. Mostly found on the British Isle, legends of ghostly black dogs are generally seen as bad omens and are associated with evil entities, such as the Christian devil. There are many stories spanning various regions which involve hapless individuals who have run-ins with black dogs who later met unfortunate ends. Harbingers of death, black dogs are said to haunt specific places or people.