Cat Superstitions
In North America and Europe, white cats are lucky. To meet one and have it cross your path means good fortune is coming to you, at least if you greet the kitty politely and stroke her three times. It is considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path. In Britain and Austraila, the belief is the complete opposite: It is the BLACK cats
that are lucky and the WHITE cats that are not!
A cat with three different hues in its coat will protect one against fire and fever.
The Chinese say a cat's nose is always cold, but on the summer solstice, June 21, the cat's nose becomes warm for one day.
In Germany, if a sick man sees two cats fighting, it means his death is near.
An American hill country superstition is that if a girl cannot decide whether to get married or not, she should take three hairs from a cat's tail, wrap them in paper, and place them under her door step. The next morning, the hairs will be arranged in either a 'Y' or 'N' pattern, telling her yes, she should marry, or no, she shouldn't.
In Wales, it is believed that those who feed cats well will have sun on their wedding day.
A Manx cat is considered the luckiest cat to have aboard ship, because cats were supposed to raise storms with their tails. But with Manxes, having no tails meant fair sailing weather.
A French superstition is that if you tie a cat to a spot where five roads meet, then let it go, the cat will lead you to buried treasure.
In tasseography, if you see a cat in your tea cup, it signifies false friends and deceit.
A sign that your neighbor is gossiping about you is when her cat pays a call and sits around, listening to your conversation.
In Ancient Egypt, it was thought that a cat held the sun in it's eyes at night.
A Norse superstition is that the goddess of love and beauty, Freya, travelled stylishly in a chariot pulled by a pair of grey cats. To insure a good harvest, farmers would place a bowl of milk in the cornfields for Freya's cats.
Never kick a cat or you will get rheumatism.
A Celtic belief was that kittens born in May are badly-behaved.
An old belief is that on every pure black cat, there is a single white hair, and if you can find it and pull it out (without being scratched), it will bring you good luck as long as you keep it safe.
An old Chinese belief is that a light-haired cat will bring it's human silver, a dark-haired cat will bring it's human gold.
In France, if a girl treads on the tail of a cat, it will take her an extra year to find a husband.
A cat running around like maniac means a storm is on the way.
In the theatre, cats are lucky mascots and disaster will strike any actor who dares kick it! However, a black cat in the audience on opening night signifies a successful play.
If a cat sneezes near the bride on her wedding day, she will have a happy marriage.
In Yorkshire, the wives of sailors and fishermen believe that their husbands will return home safely if a black cat is kept in the house.
When a cat washes her face in the parlour, it means company is coming.
If you are setting out on a journey and hear a cat crying, find what she wants before you leave or you will have bad luck on your trip.
In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is believed that washing your cat will bring rain.
It is still widely believed in Western Europe that a cat washing its ears is a sign of rain.
On Christmas Eve, a cat can be conversed with if addressed in rhyme, according to the English Cotswolds.
Some feline dream lore:
To dream of a black cat means all-around good luck.
To dream of a white cat means luck in creativity.
To dream of a tortiseshell cats means luck in love.
To dream of a calico cat means lucks with friends.
To dream of a ginger cat means luck in money matters.
To dream of a tabby cat means luck for the household
and all it's members.
If you dream of a black and white cat, it foretells the birth of a child.
If you dream of two cats fighting, it means an illness or quarrel is in store for you.
If you dream of a grey cat, it is a message to be guided by your dreams.