Cat Superstitions - As Found in The Cat Lover's Companion
A cat is very often kept as a lucky mascot in the theatre and disaster strikes
any actor who dares to kick it!
Never kick a cat of you will get rheumatism; never drown one or the devil will
get you. Throughout the world it is considered to be bad luck to maltreat a cat. This
worldwide respect for the cat is probably rooted in ancient religions in which the cat was
a sacred animal and where retribution would befall those who harmed it.
Matagots or magician cats were said to bring wealth to the home where they are
well-fed. According to French legend, a matagot must be lured by a plump chicken, then
carried home without the prospective owner once looking backwards. Then, at each meal, the
matagot must be given the first mouthful of food. In return, it will give its owner a gold
coin each morning.
In Scotland, in 1590, the witch John Fian and other members of his coven, were
charged with having raised or attempted to raise a storm, so as to drown King James VI of
Scotland (and the First King of England) then returning from Denmark. Fian and his
accomplices used cats, by flinging them into the sea, to effect their devilish purpose.
In what was known as Bohemia, in western Czechoslovakia, the cat is regarded as
a symbol of fertility and one buried in a field of grain will guarantee a good harvest.
The Japanese prefer their own native short-tailed cat - the Japanese Bobtail -
because they are less likely to 'bewitch' humans. Japanese sailors have long taken
tri-coloured or me'kay cats on their ships to bring them good luck. The figure of a cat
with its left paw raised is commonly seen in gift shops in that country, where they are
sold as souvenirs. It is believed that the beckoning cat brings good fortune to its owner.
Sailors believe that if a ship's cat mews and appears to be cross, they will
face a hard voyage - but if it is bright and lively, there will be a brisk 'following'
wind. It used to be said that a contrary wind at sea could be raised by shutting a cat in
a canister. Throwing a cat overboard resulted in an immediate storm. No sailor would dream
of doing this, however, since it was considered good luck to have a cat on board.
It is said that in the southern regions of France, if a young unmarried girl
accidentally steps on a cat's tail, she will have to wait twelve months before she finds a
husband.
A Celtic belief was that kittens born in May were badly behaved and
troublesome. In Celtic mythology, the month of May was a time of ill-omen.
Occult powers are often attributed to cats. It is said that they also have the
power of hypnotism. A cat with three different hues in its coat protects one against fire
and fever.
An American hill country superstition says that a cat can decide whether or not
a girl should get married. The debating bride-to-be takes three hairs from the cat's tail
and wraps them in paper, which she then places under her door step. If in the morning, the
cat hairs are arranged in a 'Y' pattern, the answer is 'Yes', but if the hairs form the
letter 'N', the answer is 'No'.
It is said that to dream of cats is unfavourable as this denotes treachery. In
Tasseography - fortune-telling by tea leaves - a cat signifies false friends and deceit;
someone lies in a treacherous ambush, probably a false friend.
Many people believe that a black cat brings good fortune and also, that anyone
who finds the one perfect, pure white hair in an all-black cat and plucks it out without
being scratched, will find great wealth and good luck in love.
If the household cat sneezes near the bride on her wedding morning, the
marriage will be a happy one.
In Britain, on the Yorkshire coast, wives of fishermen believe that their
menfolk will return safely if a black cat is kept in the house.
When a cat washes its face in the parlour, company can be expected.
It is said that a cat looking out of the window is looking for rain.
In America, black and white and also grey cats are considered to be lucky.
It is unlucky to hear a cat crying before setting off on a journey. If this
happens, return and find out what it wants.
No cat which has been bought will ever be any good at catching mice.
Indonesians and Malays believe that if you wash your cat, it will bring rain.
In Western Europe, it is widely believed that if a cat washes over its ears it
is a sign of rain.
When cats rush about wildly, clawing at curtains and cushions, it means that
wind is coming.
When cats sit with their backs to the fire, look out for frost or a storm.
A black cat in the audience on opening night portends a successful play.