BLACK CAT FOLKLORE

Black cats have played a major role for centuries in folklore, superstition, and mythology. Black cats in the middle ages were believed to be witches' familiars, and some people even believed them to be witches incarnate. Many of these old superstitions about black cats exist to this day. Black cats have long been associated with witches and witchcraft to the extent that during October, the Month of Halloween, black cats and witches are favorite icons used for costumes and decor.
Depending on one's area of the world (and the century one lived in), black cats portray either good or bad luck. Here are some examples:

• In Asia and the U.K., a black cat is considered lucky.
• In Yorkshire, England, it may be lucky to own a black cat, but it is unlucky TO have one cross your path.
• To dream of a black cat is lucky.
• At a funeral procession, meeting up with a black cat is believed to forecast the death of another family member.
• In 16th century Italy, people believed that if someone was sick he would die if a black cat lay on his bed.
• In North America, it's considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path and good luck if a white cat crosses your path.
• Finding a white hair on a black cat brings good luck. Don't pluck it though, or your luck may turn bad.
• A strange black cat on a porch brings prosperity to the owner. (Scotland)
• A black cat seen from behind portends a bad omen.
• If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
• In India it is thought that a reincarnated soul may be "liberated" by throwing a black cat into a fire.
• In Bengali folklore women could change their soul into a black cat and that any harm brought to the cat would be suffered by the women.
• The Celts thought black cats were reincarnated beings able to divine the future.
• German folklore believed that if a black cat jumped on the bed of a sick person it meant death was near.
• In Finland it was thought that black cats were thought to carry the souls of the dead to the other world.

In modern society, black cats are one of the most difficult color variations of cats to adopt out from shelters, as people may be still cautious from the superstition surrounding the black feline. It is also important to keep all cats indoors during Halloween (especially, if they are black in color), as black cats have been known to disappear or be stolen around Halloween! Even with all the folklore and superstitions, black cats are lovely creatures and make wonderful pets!