Cats and Superstition

The most famous superstition involving a kitten, of course, is that it’s bad luck when a black cat crosses your path. However, less people know that you can reverse this bad luck by first walking in a circle, then going backwards across the spot where the incident took place, and then count to 13. If someone around is wondering what you’re doing, just tell them, “What, you didn’t watch the news?” The other person will be so confused as to leave immediately.

Cat-related superstitions are often related to the upcoming weather. (I’m not sure if cats beat the weatherman, but hey, the weatherman gets paid.) For example, when a cat is washing its ears, or the pupil of its eye broadens, or the cat stares out of the window the whole day, it means a rain shower awaits you. If the cat is sitting with its back to the heater, it means there’s a brief period of cold weather ahead. And if you catch a cat licking its fur against the grain, take the umbrella, or better yet, don’t go out at all anytime soon – heavy storm’s coming up. It is unknown what a cat’s doing if the weather is going to be warm and sunny. I guess the cat will just take a nap, as usual.

Now here’s a superstition from America that may grant you a wish. Memorize it well, and train the necessary steps in order to succeed: when you see a one-eyed cat, immediately spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and then make a wish. According to this superstition, your wish will come true. Either that, or it’s just a medieval prank.

Now here’s what not to do to a cat, according to popular superstitions:

• Kicking it
• Killing it (well, one of its 9 lives anyway)
• Drowning it
• Throw a cat overboard (in case you’re a sailor, that is)
• Step on its tail

If you still happen to do any of the above, you may:

• Drown yourself later on
• Not find a husband for a year
• Raise a storm
• Experience 17 years of bad luck (and if you thought your last 17 years were bad, you don’t wanna experience that)

So, is there anything you can do to cats, something that would bring luck? Well, yes: you can mortar a live cat into the foundation of a building. This horrible act is supposed to result in good luck to whoever lives in that house, but clearly that superstition was pre-PETA.

From real life to the world of dreams; should a cat appear in your dreams, it can mean a variety of things, some good, some bad. If you see two cats fighting each other, then it means you might be sick soon. Seeing a white cat during sleep on the other hand means you will have a very creative phase. Little is known as to what happens when you see two white cats fighting, but I guess it means you will be very creative about not going to work, and just tell your boss you’re sick.

Sources:
Illustration based on photo by Caitlinator (some rights reserved).
Cat-related superstitions.
Cat superstitions.

Philipp Lenssen on Tuesday, Jan 24 2006 reg. Cats.