What does it mean if you meet a black cat on the road: the most popular signs

Black cats have long been associated with a sense of fear, which has led to various superstitions. SSPDaily talked about the peculiarities of these signs, as well as shared interesting myths and legends about these mysterious animals.

Greek connection

The fear of black birch cats dates back to ancient Greece, where they were considered the companions of witches. Greek mythology introduced us to Hecate, the goddess of the underworld who could transform into a cat.

Over time, she became closely associated with witchcraft and magic, so black cats gained the fame of their earthly counterparts. As a result, people began to view black cats as harbingers of bad luck.

Egyptian worship

One of the oldest recorded superstitions associated with black cats dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt. As the Egyptians transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to agriculture, they began to value the role of cats in protecting their granaries from mice and rats, equating them with deities.

In Egyptian mythology, Bast (or Bastet) appears as the goddess of joy, merriment, love, female beauty, fertility, the home, and cats in particular. Bast was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.

She served as a protector of cats, so it was strictly forbidden to harm or kill them. It was under the influence of these strict prohibitions that people were afraid of these four-legged friends.

Superstitions

• Italy

In Italy, it was believed that if a black cat jumped on the bed of a sick person, he would die.

• Scotland

The appearance of a black cat at a wake or funeral foretold the death of someone present.

• America

In the United States, meeting a black cat in a dream was often associated with the death of a family member.

• Crossing paths

In many cultures, a black cat crossing the road was considered a sign of bad luck.

Changing beliefs

Fortunately, beliefs and superstitions can change over time. For example, in England and Scotland, the appearance of a black cat on the porch was considered a harbinger of good luck. In addition, according to a widespread modern superstition, if a black cat has at least one white hair, it should not be plucked, as it is believed to bring good luck.