Black cats have always been considered lucky or unlucky in popular belief. But where does this superstition come from and what does it mean when a black cat crosses your path from the left?
Black cats as a symbol of the devil
Even in the Middle Ages, cats had a bad reputation. They were considered in the Christian faith as a symbol of paganism and black cats even as the embodiment of the devil. Black was considered a demonic color and was associated with mischief. Black cats were also associated with witches and sorcery. The bad reputation of black cats even led to the point that the animals were hunted and killed.
The black cat from the left brings bad luck
The black cat thus already enjoys a bad reputation in superstition. But why is the misfortune intensified when the black cat crosses the path from the left? The explanation for this can also be found in Christianity. In the Christian faith, the left side is considered the worse, unchristian side. According to the Bible, all good people line up on the right side at the Last Judgment, but the bad people line up on the left. If the black cat comes from the left, its origin thus symbolizes the bad, unlucky side.
Black cat for good luck
The direction is crucial in superstition. Because if the black cat comes from the right side, it is sometimes even considered a good luck charm. The black cat from the left is also considered a bad omen, especially in Europe. In other cultures, this superstition does not exist or even says exactly the opposite. In Asia, for example, it is generally considered a good luck charm if a cat crosses your path - regardless of which direction it comes from.
Thanks for reading: Does Black Cat Still Get the Bad Rep in 2022, Sorry, my English is bad:)