Britain Observes Black Cat Day on October 27th to Combat Ancient Prejudice

Every year on October 27th, Britain dedicates a special day to celebrating the black cat. Known as Black Cat Day, this observance seeks to dispel the numerous myths and deep-seated prejudices often associated with these sleek, dark-furred animals.

The initiative was first launched in 2011 by the British charitable organization Cats Protection. The necessity for this dedicated day arose because felines with black coats frequently remain in shelters and adoption centers for significantly longer periods than their multicolored counterparts.

This delay in adoption is largely attributable to the fact that black cats are one of the most common subjects of folk superstitions worldwide. For some cultures, they are viewed as harbingers of misfortune and linked to witchcraft; conversely, in other traditions, they symbolize prosperity and excellent fortune.

Historically, cats were highly revered and legally protected in Ancient Egypt. However, there was no specific cult dedicated solely to the black coat color. These dark beauties received the same adoration and respect as all other cats, regardless of their hue.

The narrative shifted dramatically in Medieval Europe, where cats became closely associated with sorcery and witches. The black coloration readily fit the imagery of the demonic, the nocturnal, and the secretive. Consequently, black cats were often condemned to the pyre alongside their accused owners.

The demonological treatise *Malleus Maleficarum* even provided justification for the belief that witches could assume the form of black cats. While cats of other colors also suffered persecution, it was during the height of the religious persecutions and witchcraft hysterias that black cats became firmly embedded in folklore and popular culture as the familiar spirits of witches and sorcerers.

Following the damage inflicted upon their reputation by the Inquisition, negative superstitions began to proliferate easily. Black-coated cats were widely considered omens of various calamities, including illness, poor harvests, and death. The most pervasive belief is that if a black cat crosses your path, you should expect bad luck.

However, not all beliefs were universally negative. In Germany, for example, a nuanced view developed: a black cat crossing the road from right to left is considered an ill omen, but if it crosses from left to right, it is seen as a favorable sign.

Despite the powerful public relations campaign waged by the Holy Inquisition, it failed to entirely overcome the inherent charm of the feline. Even across Europe, black cats did not universally become symbols of malevolent evil. In certain regions, finding a black cat on your doorstep was considered a sign of future prosperity. For sailors, they were viewed as good luck charms for safe voyages and protectors of family members remaining ashore. Even English King Charles I held his black pet under personal guard, believing it was the guardian of his good fortune. Legend holds that he was arrested the day after the cat’s death.

Japan, notably, chose not to adopt the negative European folklore. They decided that a woman owning a black cat would never lack male attention. Furthermore, if a black cat sneezed, one was expected to greet it politely. The black Maneki-Neko figurine is also employed to safeguard the home against the evil eye.

It is clear that humanity has placed an enormous burden of responsibility—for the fate of mankind and its individual members—upon these small, dark creatures.

This is precisely why a dedicated day is necessary: to remind people engrossed in everyday magic that black cats are neither carriers of good nor bad luck, nor are they predictors of wealth or misfortune. They are much more profound than that—they are companions and guides, just like any other living creature with whom we share a part of our lives.

Yet, there is one very real challenge associated with black cats, known to every happy owner and nearly every shelter: they are notoriously difficult to photograph beautifully. Often, the resulting picture is merely a black blob if the cat is sleeping, or a black blob with eyes if it notices your attempts to immortalize it.

A helpful tip for photographing a black cat is to utilize soft, uniform lighting, a contrasting background, and to emphasize the eyes. Capture its attention using a toy or a treat. If necessary, perform a belly dance, sing a beautiful song, or recite a Shakespearean sonnet. One of these methods is bound to work! And in one photograph out of a hundred, you will capture an embodiment of grace and beauty, confirming that both witches and King Charles I understood cats perfectly.