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"Another possible theory as to how the plague spread so quickly is that by killing many of the cats (believed to be witches' familiars) during the witch hunts caused the rodent population to rise, and with them rose the probability of infection." Taken from an anon, 68.174.249.133, contribution from the Black Death, later reverted.

I've heard this theory, but don't have the materials on hand to substantiate it. Actually it was probably a social result of the ongoing waves of plague. People looked for scapegoats -- some reason why these horrible things were happening to them -- and often focused on older people who may have survived earlier rounds of the disease (and Jews, of course). The number of accusations of witchcraft increased, and measures became more draconian. These people's pets and livestock were often burned or hung along with them as "familiars." I also remember that it was about this time that the genetic mutation that results in black domestic cats emerged (I have no answer to those who might assert that black cats existed earlier). The sudden appearance of these "black imps of Satan" was mentioned in a couple of sources. This has led some social and cultural historian(s) to speculate about roundups of cats during the plague, the death of cats with heretics, and the source of medieval superstitions about black cats. An interesting bit of information, but not for the article unless verification can be found. WBardwin 21:40, 13 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I don't agree, in my part of the world (Middle East) blacks cats don't carry the usual malicious meanins. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.101.33.224 (talk • contribs) 16:54, June 26, 2005

I don't agree either.They do not equal evil. They are one of God's creations and they shouldn't be judged by the way they look. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.25.220.148 (talk) 06:17, 18 June 2008 (UTC) File:Http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/DiamondPotter/images-22-1.jpg —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.240.222.12 (talk) 18:45, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Much of this section seems to have come from a spurious Wiccan book, which often rely far to much on Margaret Murray. Needs a look. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.173.6.74 (talk • contribs) 08:15, January 24, 2006

I live in Britain, and here black cats are considered to be good luck. I know for a fact they were originaly so, and had their reputation changed by the church. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AndyB62 (talk • contribs) 14:03, June 3, 2006

i live in britain and ive never heard that they bring good luck. ive been told its bad luck for them to cross your path. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.217.225.60 (talk) 07:50, 19 October 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I was born and live in England and black cats crossing path = good. Don't get confused or mislead by US culture coming over :-) 84.66.14.199 (talk) 21:17, 4 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"This association with witches possibly stems from pre-Christian Europe when witches weren't considered evil. In fact it was the church, who considered them unholy and pagan, who altered their reputation."

Seems a bit far-fetched. Someone should confirm that. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.244.216.110 (talk • contribs) 07:00, August 31, 2006

Actualy, wait, I just reread it and I guess it might make some sense. Still, check it out —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.244.216.110 (talk • contribs) 07:02, August 31, 2006

The Church hasn't claimed an issue with cats, of any color, or considered any animals of God's to be "unholy and pagan". The association with cats and the Church refers to the idea that the devil could transform into a cat, or any small creature such as a hare or rodent. Cats, along with the other small animals, were then pursecuted by the Church and deemed evil because of their connection with the devil.Garig (talk) 05:27, 24 April 2008 (UTC)garig[reply]

I believe that black cats are good luck. I live here in America and I own a black cat myself. She's very loving and she actually protects us from danger. How come black cats have to be bad luck? Why can't it be orange cats or white cats? Black cats are just like any other cats in this world.

I have a black cat too. He is super spiritual and extremely lucky. They are not evil, that's just something that people who are ignorant ABOUT black cats say. I also believe that ALL cats but black cats have a stronger and more direct connection to the spiritual realm, being half in - half out, or a portal, direct pathway or opened doorway to the other side. CrazyCatLady1980 (talk) 21:21, 10 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I'm originally from the Chicago area, a Cubs fan for years and never heard anything about a "black cat curse". A black cat did wander into (or possibly deposited onto the field) at Shea Stadium in 1969-- I have no idea how Ron Santo felt about cats of any coat color then or now. The "Cubs' spotty record/chttp://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_headline.png Level 2 headlineurse" is the Billy Goat Curse of the 1945 World Series. Check out the Billy Goat article for more baseball curse legends, it's fun reading. Jaguara (pwned by cats) 13:11, 26 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

This article seems to contradict itself. Throughout the article cats are refered to as being bad luck, however the caption under the main picture states that black cats are good luck. I am sure that stereotypes involving black cats differ between cultures, so perhaps we should simply state that some people consider them bad and that some people consider them good? - Ridge Racer 23:43, 13 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

"In places which weren't affected particularly by witch hunts, they retained their status as good luck, and are still considered as such in Japan, Britain and Egypt."

Japan is most certainly wrong. My friend who lives in Japan has confirmed this is wrong, and furthermore this has no citation. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 124.178.39.70 (talk) 14:15, 27 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

I agree with the above statement, Japan has always portrayed black cat as bad luck, and it contradicts this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_superstitions — Preceding unsigned comment added by LittleWhisky (talk • contribs) 15:31, 31 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Cats in general are seen as good luck in the middle east because many of the prophets had a liking for cats. 4.238.142.188 14:18, 10 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Black cats are also considered lucky in Australia. Eligius (talk) 00:13, 16 August 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Text: "By the 17th Century, however, the cat began to be associated with witchcraft and its luck turned from good to bad in many areas around the world. The black cat was still usually seen as good luck; however, in the USA and parts of Europe (e.g. Spain), which saw witch hunts, the association with witches caused them to be considered as bad luck."

It is questionable to use the term USA with the British Colonies in North America in regards to the witch hunts prior to the Declaration of Independence and the American War of Independence. I wish someone to revise the above sentence to reflect that historically there was no United States of America (USA) in the 17th Century, but I'm not sure how to phrase it myself. I may use the phrase British Colonies in North America, but I'm not sure the witch trials were strictly in the British Colonies, as opposed to the Dutch, French or Spanish Colonies. If anyone has a solution to this dilemma please assist in correcting this egregious error.Galo1969X (talk) 12:39, 10 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe "in part of the territory that is USA today and parts of Europe (e.g. Spain), which saw witch hunts …. " — Preceding unsigned comment added by 186.15.25.108 (talk) 00:33, 11 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I deleted this statement because it is just a point of view, or maybe just a joke. It seems most unlikely to be any truer of black cats than any other colour, and needs a reference if it is to be taken seriously. An anonymous user put back this statement (but removed another piece of whimsy). Discuss here if there is any grounds for this. ProfDEH (talk) 07:14, 4 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, I have a black cat myself and she is quite a good cat. She's the best cat we've ever had! She is so cute! She watches over us like if she was our guardian angel! So I don't know why people are criticizing them when they are just like any other cat that roams around. I actually feel sorry for them because people are takeing them to a whole new level. So my advice to you is to give the Black cats a try and lay off the myths. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.25.220.148 (talk) 06:15, 18 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yeh black cats are lovely, I have had four in the family over a span of thirty years. 62.30.54.79 (talk) 13:20, 30 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is a reference to Basement Cat welcome here? -Tajik24 (talk) 05:13, 22 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I added Basement Cat to the See Also list. Folklore1 (talk) 14:07, 19 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The addition of this section cleans up the See also section sufficiently. Are there reasons for removing any of the currently existing See also links? WikkanWitch (talk) 14:54, 2 October 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The casting call photo has been on this article for nearly seven years. It was added with this edit on October 11, 2010. It was removed today with this edit. No edit summary was provided as to why this image was removed. Per Help:Edit summary: "It is good practice to fill in the edit summary field, or add to it in the case of section editing, as this helps others to understand the intention of your edit." Removing a long-standing image from an article certainly is something which should be explained. After a round of revision, the editor in question gave the rationale in this edit as "It's already on a few articles". How exactly is that an appropriate reason to remove this photo? Like the Industrial Workers logo and the Space Shuttle patch, I believe the casting call photo depicts the influence of black cats on the wider culture and is certainly of greater encyclopedic value than multiple photos which depict black cats surrounded by foliage.

Mtminchi08 (talk) 23:54, 13 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I'm for restoring the photo; it expresses the black cat culture. And if it comes to it, I'm for removing any of "my cat in the backyard" photos to make room. --A D Monroe III (talk) 01:24, 14 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, I agree completely, no offence to anyone's cat there, they're all very cute, but they don't really say as much about black cats in culture as the casting call one does.★Trekker (talk) 02:34, 14 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Would either one of you be so kind as to restore the photo in question, please. Thank you. Mtminchi08 (talk) 04:14, 2 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Restored again. Please do not change again, per this WP:consensus. If someone still wants a new pic, discuss here first, addressing the arguments above. --A D Monroe III (talk) 17:17, 2 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks to all. I'm the editor who uploaded the photo, long ago. It's one of my favorites ;-) --Pete Tillman (talk) 01:37, 3 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed it's a good fit.  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ >^ʌⱷ҅_ᴥⱷ^ʌ<  12:18, 20 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I've tried to concisely explain myself via the limited-character edit-comment system, but I felt the issue might be better served via discussion.

Although I do have admitted bias in keeping my image up ('cause he's my cat and I LOVE HIM SO MUCH) - I am committed to the notion that the higher resolution of my image better conveys the concept of what "rusting" is. In frank comparison, I feel that the earlier image featured could easily be misconstrued for a wholly brown-coated/mottled cat - whereas the contrast between black & rust in my photo is much more pronounced (despite the striped shadows, which I imagine most would readily observe as the perfect geometric shade of venetian blinds and/or largely unlike any natural feline markings).

I don't wanna step on any toes but I know the *shit* out of rusting and finally got a good pic of it. HeffaFRIEND (talk) 02:46, 2 December 2017 (UTC)— Preceding unsigned comment added by HeffaFRIEND (talk • contribs) 18:19, 30 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

(Added the two pics about black-cat "rusting" (turning red-brownish under sunlight) being discussed here.)

Good to talk instead of just reverting, per WP:BRD.

It's not that the reader can't figure out that there is a striped shading pattern over the pic, it's that we shouldn't require them to do so. Pics are to present info, not a challenge.

If you can get a pic without shadow patterns to misconstrue, that would be best. Short of that, however, we should go with the less confusing pic, despite Loomis' otherwise obvious appeal. --A D Monroe III^(talk) 20:29, 1 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I appreciate the prompt reply! I also apologize for the breach of wikiquette - I'm new and, for now, don't plan on edits beyond simple typos or (what I feel are) improvements to universal Wikimedia assets. I agree with your assessment, that a less ambiguous photograph would serve best as consummate visual conveyance of the concept. That said - I am also committed to imaging a clearer photo of the subject & article involved within an amenable timeframe. Is there a reason we can't feature both photos as indicative of the rusting "phenomenon", at least on a temporary basis? -- HeffaFRIEND (talk) 02:46, 2 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

All good-faith discussion is welcome -- nothing to apologize for. About using both pics, it seems we have the problem that black cats are very photogenic, and we're already at (or a little over) the reasonable limit of how many pics this article can hold; even on a fairly wide screen, the pics run longer than the article text. But, as long as there's a commitment to get a pic better than both of these, I'm okay with waiting a bit. --A D Monroe III^(talk) 17:08, 2 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Despite days of subtle coercion & careful solar projection, I haven't gotten this cat to rust as much as my original image. Winter in Davis, CA doesn't cast light on my bed like early seasons. I don't want to over-extend my welcome by reverting changes or extending my image's feature. But I do vow to a higher-res rusting photo! Whatever moderation comes is welcome. HeffaFRIEND (talk) 03:19, 7 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I look forward to the improved picture, however long it takes; we'll go with the next-best original pic until then. Good luck with the CA sun and Loomis' heat-seeking inclinations. --A D Monroe III^(talk) 17:08, 9 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Not sure you guys should use c:File:Anarchist black cat.svg in this role, as I point out at c:File talk:Anarchist black cat.svg#Funny story… Jeblad (talk) 18:01, 12 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Jeblad: Hmm. There is no such discussion at c:File talk:Anarchist black cat.svg, and there is no local File talk:Anarchist black cat.svg. Our usage of the image in the article has the caption: "The black cat of the Industrial Workers of the World, also adopted as a symbol by anarcho-syndicalists" So, what is the alleged issue?  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  10:32, 31 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Black cats have been found to have lower odds of adoption in American shelters compared to other colors except brown, although black animals in general take more time to find homes.

Does this mean lower odds against adoption? Could stand to be reworded. — (scuse me while i stroke one of my little black friends) —Tamfang (talk) 04:34, 12 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

"Lower odds of adoption" is perfectly clear in English, while "lower odds against adoption" is confusing, basically a double-negative. "Lower odds against adoption" would mean that the odds against adoption were themselves lowered, i.e. that the odds for adoption were increased, and that clearly is not the meaning here (nor an easily parseable way to express that meaning if it were the correct one).  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  03:48, 29 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

If your argument is "that cannot be the meaning because it is incompatible with what is obviously intended", well, the intent could be more obvious, for the benefit of readers without your mind-reading skill. I would suggest worse chances. But then the "although" clause is problematic. —Tamfang (talk) 05:00, 31 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia doesn't use value-laden emotive wording like "worse". "Lower chances" could work (and is what the article says now). But there was nothing wrong with the original wording; you're just having individual comprehension difficulties for some reason. "Lower odds of" is perfectly normal English [1]. And none of this wording has any impact on the "although" clause at all.  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  09:30, 31 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 3 October 2023 and 9 December 2023. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Mdefatta (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Bmitch18 (talk) 04:43, 13 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

As an example of "both the Gaels and Celtic Britons had traditions of feral and sometimes malevolent black cats." the example of Cath Paul is given. However, In "Pa gar yw y porthawr", the text noted, no mention is made of the cat being black. https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/bbc31.html Also, there is no mention of the cat being black in the "three swineherds of Britain", pretty much the only other place it is mentioned in Welsh mythology. https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/triads1.html#:~:text=Three%20Powerful%20Swineherds%20of%20the,Penndaran%20Dyfed%20his%20foster%2Dfather. This is something I have also had to edit in the Wikipedia edit for Cath Palug itself. I suggest removing both this example and the "and Celtic Britons" phrase unless this can be verified. 2A02:C7C:BCEB:3500:F473:617:3E6B:C68F (talk) 10:41, 30 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

That should of course be "the example of Cath Palug", without the spelling 'correction' to English. 2A02:C7C:BCEB:3500:F473:617:3E6B:C68F (talk) 10:43, 30 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

While ''Pa gar yw y porthawr'' may be the earliest reference, it's mention of Cath Palug is only a fleeting analogy, and as such no colour is attributed, much like the triads.

The statement that these are "pretty much the only places it is mentioned in Welsh mythology" is obviously aware of the other place, the later, and better known Merlin cycle where it is explicitly stated to be a Black cat. Cymrogogoch (talk) 13:35, 20 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

By "Merlin cycle" do you mean the Vulgate Merlin? That is not Welsh mythology. Simply because something is mentioned in the Vulgate Merlin does not mean it is mentioned in Welsh mythology. So the statement "pretty much the only places it is mentioned in Welsh mythology" still stands. And it is not mentioned as being black in Welsh mythology. 2A02:C7C:BCEB:3500:2D74:2B7C:D8A9:8C01 (talk) 18:43, 27 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Merlin Cycle is a common term, it's one of the five cycles of Arthurian Mythology. I assumed you would be cognisant of it after you said 'Pa gar yw y prthawr' was "the only places it is mentioned in Welsh mythology". Cymrogogoch (talk) 10:58, 20 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I am "cognisant" of it. And as I said and you haven't addressed, it is not Welsh mythology. Simply because something is in The Matter of Britain does not make it automatically Welsh mythology. There is a *French* source referring to a black cat - (ie The 'Vulgate Merlin') - is that what you are thinking of? This does not mean it is Welsh mythology, or even that such a detail as its colour is ultimately derived from Welsh mythology. If it is not, give your source (which must be from Welsh mythology to be called 'Welsh mythology'. That's how things work.) [And please, I would never have expressed myself as poorly as that. "Places" is plural. "Pretty much the only places" refers to 'Pa Gwr yw y porthawr" *and* the "three swineherds of Britain" triad.] 2A02:C7C:BCEB:3500:79EC:F887:5CF8:23C1 (talk) 11:04, 3 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]