Answer:
There are variety of reasons for this superstition, most of which are based on traditions formed by various cultures across the globe. These have been passed on to generations and they are still prevalent.
Some of the basis for black cat, being a bad luck are:
- King Charles l of England loved his black cat so much he had his guards watch over it 24 hours a day. The day after the kitty died, the king was arrested. Bad luck rumours thus began to circulate.
- In ancient times the Jews and the Babylonians, felt all cats were related to serpents, as they had a habit of curling up near warm places like hearths.
- In the Middle Ages, to own or possess a black cat suggested that you were a witch (a witch could take the form of a black cat) or worshipper of the devil. Cats are nocturnal their eyes tend to reflect or glow at night time. The black cat's natural ability to blend in at night, and disappear in darkness, led to rumours of bad luck befalling individuals who crossed these dark felines' paths. The colour black was also significant as black cats couldn’t be seen well in the dark and it was most of the evil schemes were considered to be hatched in darkness.
- The Early American's preoccupation with witchcraft also strengthened this belief.
- The independent nature of cats and staring into nothingness also makes them appear supernatural.
Animal : Cat
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