Folk omens
A black cat crossed my path: what does it mean?
black cat crossing your path · black cat superstition
- black cat
- path
- bad luck
- superstition
In folk belief a black cat crossing your path means bad luck. In some countries, though, a black cat is a symbol of good luck.
What does the superstition say?
The common version says a black cat crossing your path means a plan will fall through or something unpleasant will happen. So some people take another route or wait for someone else to walk past first.
- Wait for someone else to pass
- Take a different route
- Hold on to a button or something in your pocket
Where does it come from?
In medieval Europe black cats were linked to witchcraft and so seen as a bad sign. In Britain and Japan, however, a black cat is still a sign of good luck and sometimes even a welcome guest.
What is the reality?
A black cat is just a cat. Sadly, because of the superstition, black cats are the least adopted in shelters, though they are just as loving as any other.