Talk:Black cat
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[edit] Black Cats and the Black Death
"Another possible theory as to how the plague spread so quickly is that by killing many of the cats (believed to be witches' familiars) during the witch hunts caused the rodent population to rise, and with them rose the probability of infection." Taken from an anon, 68.174.249.133, contribution from the Black Death, later reverted.
I've heard this theory, but don't have the materials on hand to substantiate it. Actually it was probably a social result of the ongoing waves of plague. People looked for scapegoats -- some reason why these horrible things were happening to them -- and often focused on older people who may have survived earlier rounds of the disease (and Jews, of course). The number of accusations of witchcraft increased, and measures became more draconian. These people's pets and livestock were often burned or hung along with them as "familiars." I also remember that it was about this time that the genetic mutation that results in black domestic cats emerged (I have no answer to those who might assert that black cats existed earlier). The sudden appearance of these "black imps of Satan" was mentioned in a couple of sources. This has led some social and cultural historian(s) to speculate about roundups of cats during the plague, the death of cats with heretics, and the source of medieval superstitions about black cats. An interesting bit of information, but not for the article unless verification can be found. WBardwin 21:40, 13 Apr 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Black Cat=Evil?
I don't agree, in my part of the world (Middle East) blacks cats don't carry the usual malicious meanins. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.101.33.224 (talk • contribs) 16:54, June 26, 2005
[edit] Witchcraft
Much of this section seems to have come from a spurious Wiccan book, which often rely far to much on Margaret Murray. Needs a look. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.173.6.74 (talk • contribs) 08:15, January 24, 2006
[edit] Black cat is Good Luck
I live in Britain, and here black cats are considered to be good luck. I know for a fact they were originaly so, and had their reputation changed by the church. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AndyB62 (talk • contribs) 14:03, June 3, 2006
[edit] Somebody should check the validity of this....
"This association with witches possibly stems from pre-Christian Europe when witches weren't considered evil. In fact it was the church, who considered them unholy and pagan, who altered their reputation."
Seems a bit far-fetched. Someone should confirm that. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.244.216.110 (talk • contribs) 07:00, August 31, 2006
Actualy, wait, I just reread it and I guess it might make some sense. Still, check it out —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.244.216.110 (talk • contribs) 07:02, August 31, 2006
The Church hasn't claimed an issue with cats, of any color, or considered any animals of God's to be "unholy and pagan". The association with cats and the Church refers to the idea that the devil could transform into a cat, or any small creature such as a hare or rodent. Cats, along with the other small animals, were then pursecuted by the Church and deemed evil because of their connection with the devil.Garig (talk) 05:27, 24 April 2008 (UTC)garig
[edit] Billy goat curse
I'm originally from the Chicago area, a Cubs fan for years and never heard anything about a "black cat curse". A black cat did wander into (or possibly deposited onto the field) at Shea Stadium in 1969-- I have no idea how Ron Santo felt about cats of any coat color then or now. The "Cubs' spotty record/chttp://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_headline.png Level 2 headlineurse" is the Billy Goat Curse of the 1945 World Series. Check out the Billy Goat article for more baseball curse legends, it's fun reading. Jaguara (pwned by cats) 13:11, 26 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Good or bad luck?
This article seems to contradict itself. Throughout the article cats are refered to as being bad luck, however the caption under the main picture states that black cats are good luck. I am sure that stereotypes involving black cats differ between cultures, so perhaps we should simply state that some people consider them bad and that some people consider them good? - Ridge Racer 23:43, 13 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Places where black cats are considered good luck -
"In places which weren't affected particularly by witch hunts, they retained their status as good luck, and are still considered as such in Japan, Britain and Egypt."
Japan is most certainly wrong. My friend who lives in Japan has confirmed this is wrong, and furthermore this has no citation. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 124.178.39.70 (talk) 14:15, 27 February 2007 (UTC).
Cats in general are seen as good luck in the middle east because many of the prophets had a liking for cats. 4.238.142.188 14:18, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
[edit] 17th Century -- USA???
Text: "By the 17th Century, however, the cat began to be associated with witchcraft and its luck turned from good to bad in many areas around the world. The black cat was still usually seen as good luck; however, in the USA and parts of Europe (e.g. Spain), which saw witch hunts, the association with witches caused them to be considered as bad luck."
It is questionable to use the term USA with the British Colonies in North America in regards to the witch hunts prior to the Declaration of Independence and the American War of Independence. I wish someone to revise the above sentence to reflect that historically there was no United States of America (USA) in the 17th Century, but I'm not sure how to phrase it myself. I may use the phrase British Colonies in North America, but I'm not sure the witch trials were strictly in the British Colonies, as opposed to the Dutch, French or Spanish Colonies. If anyone has a solution to this dilemma please assist in correcting this egregious error.Galo1969X (talk) 12:39, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
[edit] "Black cats also take a lot of interest in what their owners do."
I deleted this statement because it is just a point of view, or maybe just a joke. It seems most unlikely to be any truer of black cats than any other colour, and needs a reference if it is to be taken seriously. An anonymous user put back this statement (but removed another piece of whimsy). Discuss here if there is any grounds for this. ProfDEH (talk) 07:14, 4 April 2008 (UTC)
