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National Black Cat Day: Bad Luck, Good Luck, Or Simply Purr-fection?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty 179530

National Black Cat Day: October 27

Black Cats: Myths, and Misconceptions...

Bad Luck, Good Luck or Simply Purr-fection?

 

"Animals like crows, owls, or black cats are not ominous at all; it is the men’s superstitious mind which is the inauspicious one."

... Mehmet Murat Ildan

 

National Black Cat DayAre black cats bad luck? Is it time to "retire" this superstition, which keeps more black cats in shelters, where they are more than three times less likely to find "fur-ever" homes? And it's a very sad but true fact that over-capacity animal shelters will euthanize black cats first  because it is so much harder for them to find permanent homes.

 

"A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."

... Groucho Marx

 

This Halloween season when so many associate black cats with all sorts of spooky stuff, I'm all about spreading the word about what makes black cats so special and why they may actually be symbols of good luck! And it's worth pointing out that whether you associate a black cat with bad luck or good luck could very well depend on what part of the world you come from. For example, in the United States and certain European countries, it's considered bad luck to have a black cat walk by you, while in Japan and Britain it's considered good luck for that to happen!

 

"Black cats were created to give everyone the opportunity to be owned by a mini-panther."

... Uknown

 

FACTS ABOUT WHY/WHERE/WHEN BLACK CATS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GOOD LUCK:

 

  • On the Yorkshire coast of Great Britain, wives of fisherman believe that their husbands will return home safely if a black cat is kept in the house.

  • Many actors believe that a black cat in the audience on opening night is a harbinger of a successful play.

  • In the south of France, black cats, which are known as "matagots (magician cats)," are believed to bring good luck to those who feed them well and treat them with respect.

  • English sailors believed that keeping a black cat and treating it royally would ensure good weather when at sea. As a result black cats became so pricey, few sailors could afford them.

  • In the English Midlands, giving a black cat as a wedding gift to a bride is thought to bring good luck.

  • Many consider dreaming of a black cat a lucky omen.

  • In Britain and Australia, as well as in other countries, black is considered a protective color and that black cats had the power to ward off negative forces with their black coats. And because cats are associated with motherhood, protection, love, and fertility, in many cultures black cats are highly revered, as black is considered the color of protection.

  • Ancient Celts believed that black cats were reincarnated humans, who could foretell the future.

  • Finns believe that black cats carry the souls of the dead to the next world.

  • Scots believe that when a black cat crosses your path, it means good things will come your way. And if you find a black cat on your porch, you will have prosperity.

  • Those who believe black cats are lucky, also believe that it's very good luck to also wear black cat charms and that anyone who finds one perfect white hair on an all-black cat and plucks it out without being scratched will enjoy not only great wealth, but also luck in love.

  • The luckiest black cat is female, all jet black (including its whiskers), and has green eyes.

 

Black cat, cross my path

Good fortune bring to home and hearth

When I am away from home

Bring me luck wherever I roam

- Old English Charm

 

 

ADOPTING A LUCKY BLACK CAT IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA

 

Adopt a black cat today

Black cats: elegant, enigmatic, and ready to be loved!

 

Convinced that black cats are not bad luck? Why not give a black cat a "fur-ever" home and bring home some good luck this Halloween season? Here in Charlotte our shelters have some beautiful black cats waiting to be adopted into loving, fur-ever homes. Check them out!

 

CAROLINA P.A.W.S. (PET ADOPTION & WELFARE SOCIETY)

P.O. Box 365 | Waxhaw, NC 28173

(704) 916-9138  

 

Carolina Paws pet adoption in Charlotte

 

 

 

 


HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHARLOTTE

1348 Parker Drive|  Charlotte, NC 28208

(704) 377-0534

Humane Society of Charlotte


 

CMPD ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL CENTER

8315 Byrum Drive | Charlotte, NC 28217

704-336-7600

Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control & Care  

 

This National Black Cat Day information is provided by Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty, Greater Charlotte area cat parent and pet-friendly residential real estate expert. I've been opening doors for Charlotte area cats and their humans since 1999.

 

 

If you're considering selling or purchasing a home in the Greater Charlotte area, I'd love an opportunity to earn your business, exceed your expectations, and to show you why experience matters and how:

 "The Right Broker Make All The Difference"

 

Posted by

 

 Nina Hollander, RE/MAX Broker, Realtor

 

 

 

Broker, Realtor, MBA, GRI, ABR, SRES, CDPE, SFR, SPS, CMRS
Carolinas Realty Partners with Coldwell Banker Realty
Direct: 704-779-0813
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Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

 

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Nina - thanks for sharing some new-to-me quotes as well as information that seems a bit more familiar.  Together they provide perspective.  About black cats and so much more.  

Oct 27, 2024 04:50 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Michael Jacobs good morning, Michael... I've always found black cats fascinating and beautiful... truly mini-panthers.

Oct 27, 2024 05:04 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Had a childhood cat, a Tom named Satan. Satie was not the most sociable but kept the Maine farm free of mice and rats. 17 year old cat would once a year take off for a week and come back all beat to heck. Torn ear, chipped tooth but nursed back to health from his "vacation" to the circus, wherever he went Nina Hollander, Broker.

Oct 27, 2024 04:53 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 love this story about Satie, Andrew. Cats are such fascinating creatures. All of mine have always been indoor cats, so I have no such stories about my cats taking vacations or running away to the circus!

Oct 27, 2024 05:06 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

     Feel same way about cats. Especially black cats. Gingers a close second.

     Had one cat called Willow in latest listing and she appears in the video. Demonstrating how easy it is to climb up a ladder in the Victorian tower turret.

     Small smart black cat with white paws, nose, little white on her chest.  Meow. 

Oct 27, 2024 05:52 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm surprised to hear about the lower adoption rate of black cats. They are so cute!!!

Oct 27, 2024 04:59 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kat Palmiotti good morning, Kat... it's just so sad to see people pass on those beautiful black kitties.

Oct 27, 2024 05:06 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Nina. My wife is very allergic to cats and somehow I have developed an allergy also. I have no opinion on good luck or bad luck. I have friends who think one way or the other.  Enjoy your day.

Oct 27, 2024 05:23 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Wayne Martin hi Wayne... as you know I'm all about cats. So it breaks my heart when people are allergic to them and can't enjoy their company.

Oct 27, 2024 06:05 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I was not aware of this special day. Thanks, Nina, for this interesting post.

Have an outstanding week.

Oct 27, 2024 06:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Thanks, Roy. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, as well.

Oct 27, 2024 07:15 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Nina, I've heard the same thing about all black dogs that they were the last to leave the shelters. 

Oct 27, 2024 06:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 that's true, as well, Sheila. One of my best dogs was Max... got him from a shelter as an 8-week old puppy. He looked like a black Siberian Huskie. Whenever I walked him, people would stop us on the street and as where they could get a breed like that.

Oct 27, 2024 07:15 AM
Michael Elliott
Fathom Realty - Burlington Township, NJ
Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales

I am fortunate enough to have two black cats,  one right off the street  (Reggie)  and one from a shelter  (Spooky).   I could not possibly love them any more than I do.   

Oct 27, 2024 06:54 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Michael Elliott I know you do, Michael... and I had a feeling I'd be hearing from you today! :)

Oct 27, 2024 07:13 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina, years and years ago I adopted a black kitten in early October.   Shockingly, I was asked to sign a statement saying I wasn't using the kitten for anything bad.    Aja was such a good kitty, and passed at 18.5 years old, with kidney disease.

Oct 27, 2024 07:16 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox I just don't understand people who believe those silly myths about black cats, Joan. I think they are so beautiful... then again, I wear mostly black so I guess I should! :)

Oct 27, 2024 07:24 AM
Joan Cox

I was trying to remember what they said --- they are used for sacrifice.    They are beautiful, and those golden eyes.

Oct 27, 2024 07:27 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I am not a cat person. That being said, little black kittens are the cutest things EVER.

Oct 27, 2024 07:48 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty hi Jeff... that's what my husband used to say... then he realized my cats and I were a package deal. He loves cats now!

Oct 27, 2024 08:15 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Nina and we had two feral black cats and never figure they were bad luck but then again I did fall off a ladder and not sure if the cat was there at the time.

 

Oct 27, 2024 09:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Will Hamm hi Will... black cats do not cause bad luck or falls off ladders!

Oct 27, 2024 11:23 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nina my oldest son and his wife just took in 3 young black kittens that had been abandoned under a car.  So they are not concerned about the bad luck myth.

Oct 27, 2024 10:19 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

George Souto hi George... do you have pictures of these three kittens to share?

Oct 27, 2024 11:24 AM
George Souto

Nina Hollander, Broker  this is a picture of two of them.

Oct 27, 2024 11:56 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

George Souto oh my goodness, George... how cute are they and picture perfect!

Oct 27, 2024 12:30 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Nina Hollander, Broker, for shedding light on the often misunderstood black cat! I truly appreciate your efforts to change perceptions and promote their adoption—every cat deserves a loving home, especially those so elegantly cloaked in black!

Oct 27, 2024 01:17 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lew Corcoran thanks, Lew, for stopping by and the nice comment. Personally, I'm usually wearing black, myself... I love black and I love black cats. I only avoid black cars... had one once... very sexy... but every bit of dust and every scratch showed.

Oct 27, 2024 01:41 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Nina Hollander, Broker  loved your post and indeed I saw it that it was Black Cat Day was going to post but yours is so much better I cannot outdo this post.  Truly well written, Endre

Oct 27, 2024 03:39 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Endre Barath, Jr. good morning, Endre... thanks so much for that wonderful comment on my post. You could still have posted and I would still have read it! (And enjoyed it!)

Oct 28, 2024 05:45 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Nina Hollander, Broker   I wouldn't trust the NE Historical Society,  after all, this is where they burned women as witches and having a black cat was an indicator.

Oct 27, 2024 04:51 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 good morning, Ed... maybe they had a change of heart over these past several hundred years? :)

Oct 28, 2024 05:45 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Nina- Our first cat was the apartment stray that we adopted was black and grey. Our second cat was grey. Though I've never had a black cat, I wouldn't be opposed to having one. So, no, I'm not superstitious. 

Oct 27, 2024 05:08 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib my first cat was a grey tabby and for some reason ever since my cats have been grey or had grey in them.

Oct 28, 2024 05:44 AM