Are black cats good luck? What folklore says, country by country

Are black cats good luck? It depends on where you ask. In Britain, Scotland and Japan, folklore has long treated a black cat as a lucky sign, while in some other countries the same cat was cast as a bad omen. Neither is science: a black cat is simply a cat whose coat is full of dark pigment. But the stories are worth knowing, and they explain why the black cat is one of the most loved, and most misunderstood, cats there is. Ours wears a red collar and one gold bell: Black Cat. Lucky, whatever anyone says.

Are black cats good luck? Where folklore says yes

The UK charity Cats Protection has gathered many of the lucky beliefs:

• Britain: meeting a black cat, especially one that crosses your path, is considered good luck.
• Scotland: a stray black cat on your doorstep is a sign of prosperity.
• England: a black cat given to a bride on her wedding day brings her luck.
• Yorkshire: it is lucky to own a black cat, though not to meet one.
• Southern France: treating a black cat well brings good fortune.
• Italy: hearing a black cat sneeze brings good luck.
• Japan: a black cat crossing your path is a lucky sign.

Sailors had their own version. A black ship’s cat was thought to bring a safe voyage, and in some fishing towns wives kept black cats at home in the hope of seeing their husbands back from the water.

Where the bad reputation came from

In ancient Egypt, cats were held in such regard that killing one was a grave crime. The darker reputation came much later: by the 17th century, cats in parts of Europe were linked with witchcraft, and black cats took the worst of it. Echoes of that survive in a few countries, where a black cat crossing the road is still seen as unlucky.

The facts behind the black coat

A black coat is full of eumelanin, the dark pigment. The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognises 22 breeds that can come in solid black, and one, the Bombay, comes in black only. Black fur can also “rust”: cats who spend long hours in the sun may see their coat turn slightly reddish-brown, because the pigment fades in strong light.

A day for black cats

Cats Protection marks National Black Cat Day in the UK every year on 27 October, a reminder that black cats make wonderful companions. If you share your home with one, it is a good day to celebrate them.

More lucky black cats

The list goes on. In the south of France, black cats were once called matagots, or magician cats, and were thought to bring good fortune to those who treated them well. In British theatres, a black cat in the audience on opening night was said to promise a long and successful run. And in Japan, black cats are also linked with the maneki-neko, the beckoning cat figure seen in shops.

Black cats, embroidered

Five of our designs have a black cat in them, and the Black cats page gathers them all. The Black Cat sits straight in its red collar; the Night Window watches the moon and three stars; Hearts and a Bow wears a pink sweater of hearts; Breton Stripes wears a sailor’s top; and in Two Tails, One Heart, a black cat and a ginger cat make one heart with their tails. Each is machine embroidered in thread on a tee, crewneck, hoodie or tote, and made for you after you order. For more on the coat itself, read our guide to cat coat patterns.

Which piece to choose

Each black cat design comes on four pieces. The heavyweight tee is 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed, in sizes S to 4XL. The crewneck and the hoodie are a soft fleece of cotton with some polyester, in sizes S to 3XL. All three are a relaxed fit, so order your usual size, and the size guide lists every measurement in centimetres. The tote is one size, 38 × 42 cm. The Black Cat garments come in white or grey, so the black coat and red collar stand out, and Night Window in true navy or grey. Every piece is made for you after you order, and each product page shows the expected delivery dates, with free tracked shipping.

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