NATIONAL BLACK CAT DAY
By: Sarah Parnell MSW, LSW
National Black Cat Day is a special observance with a mission of celebrating and promoting the adoption of black cats. The day is meant to bring awareness to and dispel the various myths and superstitions surrounding black cats. Cats Protection, a UK charity dedicated to rescuing and rehoming cats, began an annual campaign to bring awareness to black cats after realizing that it took an average of one week longer to be adopted than their counterparts. This campaign inspired National Black Cat Day.
History of Black Cats
Black cats have long held a place in society tracing back to Egypt, Greek mythology, the Christian Church, and even the Middle Ages. While it’s unclear exactly which part of history had the most impact on these beautiful felines, we can choose to look at them today in admiration. Black cats have been associated with a variety of meanings and beliefs over time. In ancient Egypt, black cats were considered divine symbols. In Greek mythology, Hecate, the goddess of magic, sorcery, the moon and witchcraft, was described as having a cat as both a pet and a “familiar” or a supernatural creature that assists a witch. During the 13th century, Pope Gregory issued an official document where black cats were declared “an incarnation of Satan”. In addition to the early link to Satan, cats became associated with witches in Medieval Europe.
How to Celebrate National Black Cat Day
You can celebrate this holiday by visiting a shelter and choosing to adopt or simply play with a cat. You could sponsor an adoption fee. For anyone who already has a black cat, or several, post them to your social media sites. Lastly, feel free to research the origins of the myths briefly outlined in this article and share amongst people you know.
While black cats likely have no correlation to good or bad luck, they can however be cuddly, funny, independent, and as mischievous as any other cat. Let black cats be a reminder to challenge those internal biases we all face, and to get to know each other before passing on judgments.
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