Black Cats Are Witches’ Familiars

The Superstition Behind Black Cats and Witchcraft

Details

Throughout European history, black cats were believed to be supernatural companions to witches, serving as their familiars—spirits that assisted in magical work. These feline companions were thought to be either demons in animal form or shape-shifting witches themselves. Encountering a black cat was considered an omen of bad luck, as the animal might be spying for its witch master or bringing a curse. The cat’s ability to see in the dark and its silent, mysterious movements made it the perfect candidate for supernatural suspicion.

Historical Context

This feline superstition became particularly destructive during witch hunt periods. During the 13th to 17th centuries, black cats were systematically killed alongside accused witches. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued the papal bull Vox in Rama, which helped establish the idea of black cats as satanic incarnations. In witch trials across Europe, cat ownership—especially by elderly women—was sometimes presented as evidence of witchcraft.

Public festivals in parts of France and Germany included the burning of black cats in bonfires or throwing them from towers as symbolic purges of evil. Ironically, these mass killings of cats are believed to have worsened the spread of the bubonic plague by allowing rat populations to flourish unchecked. The superstition fed on a mix of religious dogma, social anxieties, and the natural behavior of cats.

Modern Relevance

While widespread persecution has ended, the association between black cats and bad luck remains strong in many parts of the world. In the United States, some animal shelters report that black cats are adopted at lower rates than other colors and may be at higher risk of harm during Halloween season. To prevent abuse, some shelters halt black cat adoptions during October.

However, not all cultures view black cats negatively. In Japan, black cats are symbols of good fortune, particularly for single women. In parts of the UK, they are considered lucky, especially when crossing one’s path. The Halloween season continues to reinforce the witch-and-black-cat imagery in decorations and media, preserving the superstition in popular culture.

Modern Wiccan and pagan traditions have reclaimed the notion of animal familiars, including black cats, interpreting them as spiritual partners rather than demonic tools. The shifting interpretation reflects how ancient superstitions can evolve into symbolic or cultural touchstones in modern spirituality.

Sources

Darnton, R. (1984). The Great Cat Massacre and Other Episodes in French Cultural History. Basic Books.
Engels, D. W. (2001). Classical Cats: The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Cat. Routledge.