Did You Know – Black Cats, Pt 2

October 1, 2026

WHAT??? Black Cats CAN Bring Good Luck!

Candilee Jackson

Introduction

Yup, you read that title correctly! In many cultures, black cats are revered, worshiped, and bring good luck. Welcome to part two of all about black cats: myths, legends, and just plain interesting stuff! (and if you missed part one, it’s right here)

As some of the most misunderstood members of the cat world, black cats are not always what they seem. Some say they are bad luck. Others see a dark-colored cat and conjure images of witches and monsters.³ However, the legends, old wives’ tales, church edicts, and royal proclamations got it all wrong: There is so much to love about these gorgeous inky black “parlor panthers” – no matter their eye color – to love!

Fun Facts About Black Cats ^2-3

• Genetically, black is the most dominant cat color
• Black fur can mask the tabby coat pattern, and can be seen in bright light
• Black cats can change color: most cats love to soak up the sun, but for black cats, overindulgence in sunbathing can cause “rusting,” or turning a black coat a rusty brownish-red color with continued exposure.
• Black cats almost always have yellow to copper eyes²
• Twenty to thirty cat breeds can wear the black coat, including Bombay, American Bobtail, RagaMuffin, Sphynx, Persian, and Scottish Fold.
• Black cats are associated with good luck and prosperity in many cultures
• Black cats have their own National Holidays: October 27 (four days before Halloween) is National Black Cat Day, and August 17 is National Black Cat Appreciation Day.²
• Ancient Egyptian history reveals that black cats were worshiped, and killing one was a serious crime.
• Some studies reveal that black cats might be healthier than other cats. “The genes associated with black fur might have links to certain immune system functions, though scientists are still exploring whether this has any evolutionary significance or is simply a coincidence.”³

Famous Black Cats

Social media, cartoons, and movies have introduced our society to many black cats who have warmed the hearts of millions of people – and not just children – through the stories they tell in song, dance, and attitude. This list is filled with memories of good times with family and friends.

• Bagheera, the black panther in “The Jungle Book”
• Luna, the black cat in “Sailor Moon”
• Salem in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
• Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus”
• Isis in “Star Trek”

The official First Cat of the George W. Bush administration was named India. India was an all-black American Shorthair who lived to be eighteen years old.²

Blackie, the world’s richest cat, was left a $12.5 million fortune when his owner, British antique dealer Ben Rea, died in 1988.²

Oscar the Bionic Cat became the world’s first cat to have double rear-leg prosthetics in 2009.²

Hey,  It’s a Cultural Thing!

“The ‘black cats are bad luck’ belief is largely a Western European export, and even within Europe it was not universal.”⁶ Let’s put culture under the microscope and examine the evidence.

In Celtic folklore, black cats were thought of as “fairy beings, or shape-shifters with magical properties” and a black cat arriving in a home was felt to bring prosperity and protection.⁶ In England, finding white fur on an all-black cat brings good luck.¹

In Japan, black cats were talismans that brought protection. The Maneki-Neko, “the famous beckoning cat figurine,”⁶ comes in different colors, each with its own meaning. “White is for good luck and business, red for health, and black specifically to ward off evil spirits, misfortune, and protect the family.”⁷

Ancient Egypt worshipped black cats as deities. Bastet, the most famous goddess, is a queen with the head of a cat and was thought to bring fertility to humans and to the harvest. Good fortune came to those who welcomed and protected felines. “A black cat wasn’t just an animal – it was a living embodiment of divine presence.”⁸

In China, many believe that black cats are carriers of hunger and poverty.⁷

In Latvia (once part of the Russian Empire), the birth of black kittens indicates that there will be a good harvest.¹

In Germany, it is believed that if a black cat crosses the road from right to left, it brings bad luck, while if it does it the other way around (from left to right), it is a good omen.⁷

In Russia, if a cat sits next to a newborn in their cradle, it drives away evil spirits.¹

In the Netherlands, it is thought that the cat is a “gossipy” creature, and therefore those who believe will avoid having intimate and private conversations in the presence of a cat.¹

In some areas of Southern Europe, cats are thought to be able to smell death and perceive ghosts: if they climb onto a sick person’s bed, the person is close to death; if they approach a deceased person, misfortune will fall on the family.¹

In Norse Mythology, cats represent honor and power. The chariot of the goddess Freya is drawn by two black cats. To mistreat a black cat was offensive to Freya and could spell trouble ahead.⁸

Latinx Folklore tells of black cats as carriers of spiritual power, a special energy that is mysterious, protective, and wise.⁸

French folklore refers to black cats as “matagot,” which translates to “legendary spirit or magical creature.” The citizenry “believed that if a matagot was treated with great care, well-fed, given shelter, and never mistreated, it would reward its caretaker with riches and protection.”⁸

And the Tail End …

Regardless of the time period, black cats have gotten a bad rap: most of the lore is tied up in trying to stave off fear, explain the unexplainable to ignorant societies, and edicts were proclaimed by both royalty and the church – entities that controlled an uneducated society. Today, the Bombay “parlor panther” enjoys the comfy, warm home of adoring owners, prancing their stuff in cat shows around the world. Many pet owners are proud of their loving tuxedo cats (black cats with a touch of white), and ebony-colored pedigreed cats whose standard shows the black gene. As a writer who has been “Tonked,” (a proud Tonkinese owner and exhibitor in the cat fancy), any feline is a cat deserving of love and care the same as any human child!

 References

1.  Caro, Tina. “Seven Fascinating Facts About Black Cats You Probably Didn’t Know.” Magickal Spot. February 16, 2026. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://magickalspot.com/black-cats-superstitions/.
2. Stephanie Howe, DVM. “Ten Interesting, Little-Known, and Fun Facts About Black Cats.” Pet MD. September 2025. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/black-cat-facts.
3. King, Amber. “Seven Fascinating Facts About Black Cats You Probably Didn’t Know.” Cats.com. November 30, 2025. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://cats.com/black/catgs/facts.
4. Lin, Kimberly. “Black Cat Superstition: Good and Bad Luck Beliefs.” Historic Mysteries (History Channel). October 02, 2016. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://www.historicmysteries.com/myths-legends/black-cat-superstition/6774/.
5. Riley, Riley A. n.d. “Superstitions and Black Cats.” Carnegie Museum of National History. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://carnegiemnh.org/superstitions-and-black-cats/.
6. “Where Did the Black Cat Superstition Come From?” Science Insights. March 09, 2026. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://scienceinsights.org/where-did-the-black-cat-superstition-come-from/.
7. “Why Are Black Cats Unlucky?” Britannica. July 01, 2026. Accessed August 08, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Why-Are-Black-Cats-Unlucky.
8. Williams, Edie. “Forget The Myths: Eight Cultures That See Black Cats As Lucky Charms.” Cats Chef. April 11, 2025. Accessed August 08, 2026. hhttps://catschef.com/forget-the-myths-8-cultures-that-see-black-cats-as-lucky-charms/.