| Black cats have been the subject of superstition for | | | | thought to carry the souls of the dead into the |
| centuries. Unfortunately, as a result they have often | | | | afterlife |
| suffered (and sometimes still suffer today.) Here are | | | | - In the 18th and 19th centuries, black cats were |
| some of the weird, wonderful and not so wonderful | | | | kept by fishermen's wives, as it was believed they |
| myths about these felines which have arisen through | | | | would keep their husbands safe at sea |
| the centuries and around the world: | | | | - Today, if you live in England, Scotland or Australia, a |
| - Druids believed that these cats were humans, but | | | | black cat that crosses your path is meant to bring |
| had been reincarnated as cats as a punishment for | | | | good luck. But if you live in Ireland, America or India, |
| mis-deeds in a previous life | | | | it's said to bring bad luck |
| - In the Middle Ages in England, all cats - but black | | | | Unfortunately, black cats are still regarded with |
| colored ones in particular - were often associated | | | | superstition and fear in a lot of places. Many rescue |
| with evil and witchcraft. Some people believed black | | | | shelters often won't re-home them around |
| cats were demons who helped witches to perform | | | | Halloween, because some people will harm them. |
| black magic. Others thought the cats were witches | | | | Finally - what's the truth about these cats? |
| themselves, and even believed they could fly on a | | | | Black cats make lovely pets. They're no more lucky |
| broomstick! | | | | or unlucky than any other color cat. There's no |
| - In the Middle Ages in Germany, it was believed that | | | | evidence to support any of the fears and |
| a black cat jumping on the bed of a sick person | | | | superstitions, past or present. Hopefully it won't be |
| meant that person would die | | | | long at all before all the negative beliefs about these |
| - In Finland, around the same time, black cats were | | | | cats disappear for good. |