Superstitions about Cats

Superstitions about Cats

A cat sneezing is a good omen for those who hear it. (Italian superstition)

Dreaming of a white cat means good luck. (American superstition)

To see a white cat on the road during the day is lucky. (American superstition)

It is unlucky to see a white cat at night. (American superstition)

If a cat washes its face, it is a prediction that a visitor will be arriving. (Japanese superstition)

If a cat washes his face, it is a prediction of rain. (Chinese, also found in Europe)

It will bring good luck if a cat runs in front of a fisherman when he is on his way to fishing. On the other hand it is a bad omen if a cat crosses his path on his way to fishing. (English)

In the fashionable hotel Savoy in London, the statue of the cat named Kasper prevents bad luck to any party of 13. Kasper, the cat will be placed at the table and served all the dishes as the 14^th guest.

If a black cat crosses your path it is bad luck in mainland Europe and the U.S., but in England it is good luck (Make sure to make a wish before you lose sight of the black cat).

Never say the word “cat” on a ship or on stage, if you do it will bring you bad luck. Make a note that a cat onboard a ship and a cat backstage in a theater will bring good luck.

A cat that walks across a stage will bring good luck.

Body of a Cat in the Wall

In England and mainland Europe there was a superstition that if a cat was built into a house wall it would protect the house from rats.

An ever better protection was the body of a cat and a rat in the wall. The Natural History Museum in London as a collection of some of these unfortunate cats found in walls.

Make it Rain

In Java there was a superstition that bathing a cat would bring rain. In Sumatra there was a similar superstition.

There they would bring a black cat out in the river and force the cat to swim around for a while splashing water on the cat and each other. This was believed to call forth rain.

The Kimono Cat

In Japan there was a belief that if a cat was born with a black mark on its back and the black mark resembled a woman wearing a kimono; one had to show the cat the utmost respect.

The kimono mark on the back of the cat was evidence that the spirit of a dead ancestor possessed the cat. The highest precautions were taken to care for and protect these cats. These kimono cats were often given to the temple for safekeeping.

In Japan black cats are a lucky omen as the blacks cats can heal sick children and protect against evil.

In France the black magical cat called matagot could under certain circumstances bring prosperity to its owner. See Black Cats

A light colored cat will bring silver to the home of the owner. A dark colored cat will bring gold to the home of its owner. (Old Buddhist superstition)

A kitten born in May (especially on the first of May) will become ill behaved and troublesome. It may even be responsible for bringing snakes into the house. (Celtic)

Whenever the cat of the house is black, the lasses will have no lack of lovers. (English superstition)

It is bad luck to chase away a black cat. (English)

When moving into a new home always let the cat enter first for good luck. (Russia superstition)

If a young woman is unfortunate enough to step on a cat’s tail, she will not get married that year. (Wales)

In Madagascar it was believed that the souls of unburied dead would enter a cat.

In Japan the sculpture of the cat called Maneki Neko is extremely auspicious. See Lucky Cat.

To kill a cat brings seventeen years of bad luck. (Irish superstition)

The KoratCat

The Korat cat was originally from Thailand. It was considered to be a lucky cat bringing prosperity to its owners. The Korat cat was often used in rain-making ceremonies. Water would be poured on the cat believing this would call forth the rain clouds.

Two Korat cats could also be given to a bride as a wedding gift to ensure prosperity. The Korat cat’s fur symbolized silver.

See what other men cannot

Albertus Magnus, (1208? –1280) had the recipe if you want to see what other men cannot.

“ Take the gull of a male Cat, and the fat of an Hen all white, and mix them together, and anoint thy eyes, and thou shalt see it that others cannot see.” Quote from “The book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus.