National Black Cat Appreciation Day in 2024: When It is & Myths Debunked
Updated on
There is no end to the number of superstitions surrounding black cats. A few ancient cultures considered black cats to be bad luck, and some of those beliefs have persisted in our modern world. That said, many cultures throughout history have considered black cats to be a good omen.
National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to dispel myths about black cats. It is celebrated every year on August 17.
Where Do Black Cat Superstitions Come From?
Modern black cat superstitions can be traced to Ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, Zeus’s wife Hera transformed her servant, Galinthias, into a black cat. This transformation occurred as a punishment for impeding the birth of Hercules.
Galinthias, the black cat, went on to become the assistant to Hecate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft. This connection between black cats and witchcraft has created many myths that have persisted for centuries.
Black Cat Myths Debunked
Myth: Black Cats Bring Bad Luck
It is said that a black cat crossing your path brings bad luck. The origin of this myth isn’t clear, but it may have something to do with the sly movements of a cat. A black cat lurking around may suggest that they are up to no good.
Black cats might look sneaky, but so do cats of every other color. In many cultures, the appearance of a black cat indicates good luck rather than bad. A black cat on your doorstep brings good luck in Scotland, while in Japan, black cats are thought to help single women find love. Any superstition may seem silly, but there’s certainly no evidence that black cats bring bad luck of any kind.
Myth: Black Cats Are Witches in Disguise
Early American settlers often believed that black cats were witches. This ability to transform into a cat enabled witches to sneak around and perform magic without being noticed. Many Halloween images today feature black cats alongside witches.
Debunking this myth is fairly easy. Early American settlers also prosecuted people for being witches. These superstitions resulted in mass hysteria and terrifying occurrences like the Salem Witch Trials. Logic tells us that these people weren’t witches and that people can’t transform into cats. In reality, the evilest thing that a black cat is likely to do is scratch up your curtains.
Myth: Don’t Adopt a Black Cat
Cat lovers around the world will be sad to know that black cats have the lowest adoption rates and the highest euthanasia rates in animal shelters. Part of this is due to superstition. The other factor is the difficulty in photographing black cats for adoption online. They are simply more difficult to photograph.
Cat adopters report that they perceive black cats as less friendly than their light-colored counterparts. We think that it’s time to change these perceptions, put old superstitions to rest, and show black cats that we love them!
Conclusion
National Black Cat Appreciation Day is celebrated every year on August 17. It is a day set aside to honor black cats and dispel the myths and superstitions surrounding them. It’s time to put old fables to rest!
Related Reads:
Featured Image Credit: Leuchtturm81, Pixabay
