In Germany, it is sometimes believed that if one crosses paths with a black cat it's bad luck. But in places like Japan, black cats are a sign of good luck. It was once believed by the pilgrims that came to America, that black cats were the partners of witches. Anyone who was seen with a black cat was punished. Or even killed.
Black cat with witch
In the middle ages, people would kill these cats! This was not the best idea. With out the cats, the rat population went way up. With lots of rats (or any mammal) there are lots of fleas. These fleas had bubonic plague. Or at the time, The Black Death. Bubonic Plague is a disease that gives you big lumps on your skin. It gets its name from the Greek word "bubo" or swollen gland. This disease killed many people in Europe. We have a cure for it now, but if not treated it would be deadly. So it must be bad luck to kill a black cat!
But other times a black cat's "magic" could be useful. Sailors would like to have "Ship's cats". They would like to have black ones for good luck! Also, the Ancient Egyptians had their cat goddess, Bast, who was a black cat!
So, good luck, bad luck... witch is it? You decide! Enjoy these photos!
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