In Egypt, a revered deity
The cat, in ancient Egypt, was first of all a useful animal, which killed rodents and thus protected the crops of wheat and barley. He is considered a divine incarnation. Many mummies of cats dating from this time have been discovered, and even necropolises. Ancient Egypt venerates a patron goddess, represented as a cat, or woman with a cat's head: Bastet. The statuettes which represent the goddess and which have come down to us are mostly black. However, scientific analyzes of mummified cats have shown that the species present in majority at the time was tabby and tawny!
The accomplice of the witches
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church wanted to fight against pagan cults to assert its authority and launched the witch hunt. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX in his bull “Vox in Rama” describes the witches' sabbath in nocturnal assemblies, their orgies and their cult of Lucifer, embodied by a black cat. Cats are exterminated by the millions, thrown to the top of towers or burnt alive. In 1344, in Metz, in the middle of Lent, thirteen living cats were locked in an iron cage and delivered to the flames. This terrible tradition of "Cat Wednesday" continued until 1777! The mere possession of a black cat serves as proof of witchcraft and can lead its mistress to the stake.
A sometimes ambiguous lucky charm
However, some communities consider the black cat to be a lucky charm. From the 18th to the 20th century, the British made sure to have one per warship or merchant ship. In France, in Brittany, the story of the "silver cat" is told, bringing wealth to the house. To find one, you have to stand at a crossroads of 5 roads and invoke Satan. This one arrives in the form of a black cat. Back home, obligation to pamper the beast. At night she disappears and in the morning brings gold coins to her master.
A day to adopt it
Every year on August 17, the world celebrates Black Cat Appreciation Day, the International Black Cat Appreciation Day. Indeed, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the British equivalent of our SPA, Society for the protection of animals, black cats have more risks. than others to be abandoned. They are also waiting longer to find adoptive families in shelters around the world.
Expert words
Marie-Charlotte Delmas, semiologist, specialist in popular superstitions
Why did the black cat begin to bring bad luck?
Superstitions are based on the belief in a working magical force, born out of an animist conception of the universe. This conception existed from the earliest Antiquity and probably beyond. In this context, an object, the observation of signs or the attitude of an animal can make sense. However, the cat, less docile than the dog, retains a worrying aspect because it cannot be trained. His supposed link with the devil in the Middle Ages ended up stigmatizing little by little black cats.
Are there other similar animals on Halloween?
The Anglo-Saxon festival of Halloween is perhaps a holdover from the Celtic festivals of Samain. On this occasion, the living entered into communication with the dead and the forces of nature. No animal other than the cat is attached to it.
Are there any superstitions related to beasts?
There are many! The owl, for example, with its cry, will remain a bad omen for a long time. On the other hand, the ladybug, called "beast to good god" is supposed to bring good luck …
Dictionary of mysterious France, ed. Omnibus, € 29.
Read also :
⋙ Captions and beautiful photos of cats around the world
⋙ The 15 stages of cat development
⋙ World tour of unusual superstitions
Article published in the issue Femme Actuelle Jeux Animo n ° 4 November-December 2020