Linked to witches and the devil: How black cats got their spooky reputation
For National Black Cat Appreciation Day, we take a look at the strange evolution of black cat lore, from sacred creatures to scorned.
On Sunday, August 17, we will celebrate National Black Cat Appreciation Day. Black cats are unfortunately amongst the least adopted due to negative perceptions based on myths and superstitions.
As the owner of a very derpy, gentle, and cuddly black cat myself, I can tell you it’s a sad fact indeed that people feel this way towards them. Like all cats, they have their own unique personalities and quirks that make them interesting and delightful.
— Black cats are not bad luck (@visualscat) August 13, 2025
And National Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated annually as a way to dispel the fear caused by these myths surrounding the mini panthers and to encourage people to adopt them and embrace their charm.
But where did these superstitions come from in the first place? The history goes back all the way to the 13th century.
Why black cats got a sinister reputation and where it really began
The belief that black cats bring bad luck, especially around Halloween, is one of the oldest and most persistent superstitions in Western culture. But this association has disturbing roots that trace back to the 13th century, when the Catholic Church officially linked black cats to Satan in a papal decree.
This marked the beginning of centuries-long (and unjust) persecution of cats, especially black ones, and their symbolic link to witches.
In medieval Europe, women accused of witchcraft were often depicted with feline companions, which were believed to be “familiars” or even demons in disguise. Over time, this connection led to widespread fear and violence against both women and cats.
Ironically, cats were also blamed for spreading the plague - a misguided belief that led to their mass extermination and unintentionally helped rats thrive, and therefore the plague spread all the more rapidly - a sort of beautiful Karma.
The superstition that crossing paths with a black cat brings bad luck likely emerged from these fears, though not all cultures see black cats negatively. In places like Egypt, Japan, and Scotland (and my home in Spain), black cats are seen as symbols of protection and prosperity. It just goes to show that one creature’s meaning simply depends on the stories we choose to believe.
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