Black Cat Appreciation Day
Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Holly Anne Dustin
Are you lucky enough to live with a mini panther? Today is their day to shine. Black Cat Appreciation Day aims to raise awareness of the plight of black cats in shelters awaiting their forever home.
It is also a chance for those of us who are lucky enough to spend our lives with one of these beautiful cats to celebrate their fabulous felines.
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Black Cats Have it Rough.
In 1233, Pope Gregory IX decided that people used black cats to worship the devil. They’ve been associated with witchcraft, blamed for the plague, and accused of bringing bad luck. The black cat became a symbol for the anarchist “Wobblies” movement at the beginning of the 1900s.
Today they get adopted less often than the “pretty” cats, some judges grade them down in the show ring, and sometimes people even return them because they don’t take good selfies.
Do Black Cats Bring Bad Luck?
It’s not all bad though, some cultures consider black cats good luck.
In Egypt, black cats were symbols of wealth and status. Egyptians believed they would gain favor with the goddess Bastet if they kept a black cat in their home. They mummified cats when they passed out of respect for Bastet. A person could be killed for taking the life of a cat.
In China, the Song dynasty celebrated the “Lion Cat” as pampered pets, similar to the way we keep our Persians today. The Greeks associated them with cleanliness. Russians see all cats as lucky.
In Scandinavian legend, the Goddess Freya rides in a chariot pulled by three black Norwegian Forest Cats. Vikings traveled with them. Black cats carried the souls of the dead into the afterlife in Finland.
In Germany a black cat jumping on the bed of a sick person meant they would die. Druids believe a black cat is a reincarnated human being punished for misdeeds.
In Japan, owning a black cat is lucky for single women. Black cats are supposed to attract suitors. The gift of a black cat brings good luck to a bride in living in the English Midlands.
Legend says sharing life with a black cat brings financial good fortune and a good harvest to people living in Europe and Asia.
A strange black cat appearing at a home signifies prosperity in Scotland. Ireland has mythical fairy-like creatures that took the form of large black cats. According to the legend, if you left them milk you’d have favor, otherwise your cows would all dry up. In Celtic mythology, a fairy known as the cat sìth takes the form of a black cat.
Sailors have black cats as pets to guarantee them a safe return home. Fishermen see black cats as good luck. They keep them on their ships, black cats have high values, some can not afford them.
Pirates also kept black cats. But their approach to the good luck/bad luck is complicated. If the cat is walking toward you it’s bad luck; but if it is walking away that’s good luck. If the cat walks on to a ship and then back off don’t set sail, the ship will sink.
Fun Facts About Black Cats
- The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes 22 cat breeds that have black as a color option. The Bombay is the only breed that is allowable ONLY in black.
- Black cats usually have golden eyes. The high melanin pigment that gives them their glorious black fur also give them golden eyes
- Your black cat may really be a tabby cat. A recessive gene suppresses the stripes and swirls of the tabby pattern but it may be faintly visible in a strong light.
- A Black smoke cat is a unique pattern where the hair is white at the roots and darkens to black on the tip. When you pet a smoke-colored cat from head to tail, they seem black. When you pet their hair the opposite way you see the white undercoat.
- Black cats can “rust” in the sun. The melanin pigment that makes us tan also makes their coats black. They will lighten and “burnish” to a rusty-brown if they hang out in bright sunlight. Their coat will darken again when the melanin returns to normal.
- They will gray with age, just as we do. All cats do, but it is noticeable in black cats.
- They may be more resistant to disease. The mutation in the gene that gives humans resistance to diseases such as HIV is in the same family as the gene that causes the cat’s fur to be black.
- Black-coated cats are more commonly male than female.
- Black cats have close relationships with their owners. They tend to be more affectionate and playful.
Famous Black Cats
- Felix: The first famous cartoon cat. He’s a star from the silent movie era.
- Sylvester: The Looney Toons star
- Luna: the wise cat in Sailor Moon
- The Cat in the Hat: Yup, the Dr. Seuss Hero is a black cat
- Cat Woman: Marvel Superhero
- Binx from Hocus Pocus, movie star from the 90s.
- Salem from Sabrina, the teenage witch was probably the first black cat TV star.
- Snowball: The Simpsons’ feline sidekick
- Cole from Cole and Marmalade, advocates for adoption and cat welfare
- Midnight, the Rescue Panther, funny star of the Facebook page of the same name, and author of the Catland series.
Here Are a Few Suggestions to Celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day
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- show off your black beauties on social media, let everyone share the joy of having a black cat
- watch a movie or TV show starring one of those famous black felines
- read a black cat book. We like the Catland stories, written by Midnight Panther, assisted by Keith Nichols.
- adopt a black cat
- can’t adopt? Donate to your favorite shelter or rescue in honor of the black cats
- Show off your pride in your black cat with a this necklace I found while writing this post. I couldn’t resist it.
- And, of course, spoil your babies! New toys and treat all around!
Do you live with a black cat? Drop pictures on our Facebook page.
