OF the numerous superstitions associated with cats, perhaps the most famous one is the black cat superstition. Once revered in ancient Egypt, black cats began to be associated with witchcraft during the medieval period. A popular tale that took place in 16th century Lincolnshire, a county east of England, is believed to be the reason why many people in that country still view black cats as a bad omen, especially if one crosses your path. In the Arab world, superstitions surrounding black cats also thrive. One popular superstition encourages people who accidentally step on a black cat to either break an egg or pour sugary water on the ground to ward off any unforeseen consequences. Alsharq daily sheds light on this age-old superstition. According to the Lincolnshire legend, a father and his son were startled when a small black creature appeared out of nowhere and ran into the hole of a house. They waited for the creature to appear from the hole and when it did, they pelted it with stones. The creature, which had a distinct limp, scurried into the home of a woman who the townspeople believed was a witch. The next day, the woman appeared from her house with the same limp. News of this so-called feline-to-human transformation spread and pretty soon everyone in town was convinced that black cats were actually witches in disguise. Salman Al-Habeeb, psychologist and family counselor, said many societies, Western ones included, consider certain animals to be a bad omen. Such beliefs are passed down from one generation to another as part of local culture and are often inculcated in the minds of younger generations. “Most people who believe that black animals are a source of bad luck have had some sort of negative experience. They may have seen a black cat or dog and something bad must have happened to them shortly after. They connect the two things together in their subconscious,” Al-Habeeb explained. Crows and owls Fears surrounding black animals are not restricted to cats and many people also consider crows and black owls to be bad omens simply because of their appearance. “The shining eyes of a black cat send shivers down the spines of many people,” said Al-Habeeb. “In their minds, the bad omens surrounding black cats can be traced to the actions of the animals themselves. For example, it is thought that black cats act strangely and suspiciously and for some reason, they always have narrow escapes from death so much so that they are often described as having seven lives. For some, black cats are haunted by Satan himself.” Dr. Mahmoud Al-Khamis, head of the veterinary medicine unit at the Department of Agricultural Affairs, Eastern Province, said what most people suspect is untrue. “There is no relationship between the color of a cat and bad luck. The color of any animal is determined by the melanin pigment found in the skin. Black cats have nothing to do with evil or bad luck,” he explained. Al-Khamis offered an alternate theory for why some cats may seem possessed. “Not all cats are domesticated and some are feral and tend to be aggressive or, when in a state of mating, in self-defense mode. The wild sounds cats make at night are normal and serve to attract potential mating partners. Similar sounds are made when cats are about to fight,” he said. Popular tales Zaki Al-Salih, researcher of traditional heritage, said superstitious tales perpetuate the false beliefs surrounding black cats. According to one popular tale, a woman who was on her way to a well to fetch some water was followed by a black cat who she accidently stepped on. Afterward, she fell sick and died. According to Al-Salih, such stories are to blame for the wrong beliefs people have developed about black cats. “It is as if black cats really are possessed by the devil or evil spirits that won't hesitate to harm humans. This is why people don't get close to a black cat, let alone hurt it. Arabs believe that evil spirits can appear as black cats or dogs while Europeans believe that black cats are witches in disguise. All these are strange yet popular beliefs,” said Al-Salih.
