Sarah-Jane White Cats Protection organised the first Black Cat Day in 2011 to celebrate the beauty of black cats and raise awareness of their plights. A study in Colorado showed that black cats spend one week more on average than any other colour of cat in shelters and are less likely to get adopted. Seven extra days may not seem like a lot but the longer a cat remains in a shelter the higher its chances of contracting a potentially fatal illness.
The dislike of black cats is known as ‘black cat bias’ one study showed that people exhibiting a higher level of black cat bias on average had higher levels of superstition. It’s worth noting that there are plenty of myths and superstitions surrounding black cats, and many of them are actually positive.
What do Black Cats Mean in Different Cultures?
| Origin | Description | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic mythology | Black cats are sacred | Blessed |
| Scottish lore | A black cat’s arrival at a new home signifies prosperity | Wealth |
| Welsh lore | A black cat brings good health | Health |
| Unknown | If a black cat walks towards someone, it is said to bring good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it | Luck |
| 18th Century pirates | a black cat would bring bad luck if it walks towards someone, and good luck if it walks away from someone. | Luck |
| Pirates | If a black cat walks onto a ship and then walks off it, the ship is doomed to sink on its next trip, | Condemnation |
| Unkown | It is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors | Love |
| Germany | Some believe that black cats crossing a person’s path from right to left, is a bad omen, but from left to right, the cat is granting favorable times. | Luck |
| Southern Chile | Black cats are an important element that is needed when hunting for the treasure of the Carbunclo | Prosperity |
| 16th Century Italy | If death was imminent if a black cat would lay on someone’s sickbed. | Omen |
| North America | Bad luck if a black cat crosses your path, and good luck if a white cat crosses your path. | Luck |
| North America | Another family member is bound to die if you spot a black cat during a funeral procession | Death |
| Asia | Owning a black cat will make you lucky in life, | Luck |
| UK | Owning a black cat will make you lucky in life | Luck |
| Japan | You’ll have luck in finding love if you spot a black cat | Love |
| England | A bride will have luck in her marriage if she receives a black cat as a gift | Love/Luck |
| Europe | Sailors will have a safe journey if they bring along a black cat on the ship | Safety |
| Scotland | You’ll have coming prosperity if a black cat appears at your doorway or on your porch | Prosperity |
| France | Something magical is about to happen if you see a black cat | Luck |
| Unknown | A black cat in the audience on opening night foretells a successful play | Prosperity |
| South of France | Black cats bring good luck to owners who feed them well and treat them with respect | Luck |
| English Sailors | Keeping black cats happy would ensure fair weather at sea | Prosperity |
| Unknown | To cure a stye on the eyelid, rub it with the tail of a black cat | Health |
15 Brilliant names for black cats
Unisex
- Miracle
- Sooty
- Slinky
- Midnight
- Lucky
Girls
- Beauty
- Phoebe
- Sabrina
- Morticia
- Luna
Boys
- Batman
- Pirate
- Nox
- Edgar Allen Poe (Po)
- Gremlin
How to celebrate National Black Cat Day
A great way to celebrate this day is to adopt a black cat. Another way would be to make sure you are respecting black cats by feeding them well and treating them with respect. You can also provide some money or food for a cat shelter that has black cats in it!
If you already own a black cat or know someone who does you can post cute pictures of them online with the hashtag #nationalblackcatday.
Another great way to celebrate is to tell everyone about the many positive myths and superstitions around black cats and to spread awareness of just how many black cats are without homes. You can share your knowledge with others who don’t know why black cats have been viewed differently throughout history.
How to Use National Black Cat Day to Market Your Business
For the most part, the day is meant for celebrating black cats and to raise awareness about how many black cats are without a home. In terms of marketing, you can use this as an opportunity to market your business as well as to help sponsor events that are happening on this day. Here are some ideas for using National Black Cat Day to market your business:
- Offer discounts to customers who own a black cat, or encourage them to post photos of their cat with your products
- Add a donation button at the checkout of your website or donate profits to a cat shelter
- Post lots of photos of black cats on social media using the hashtag; #nationalblackcatday #blackcatday
- Adopt a black cat as a company or workplace mascot (ensure the cat will be cared for properly for the rest of its life)
- Start a poll or survey or post a question about black cats e.g; do you think black cats are unlucky?
Conclusion
National Black Cat Day is a day to celebrate black cats and raise awareness of how many black cats are without homes. In terms of marketing, you can use this as an opportunity to market your business as well as help sponsor events happening on the said day. Black cats truly are beautiful and it’s a real shame they have such a bad reputation.
Let’s get all those misconceptions around black cats cleared up once and for all!
National Black Cat Day
Celebrating the good luck and love these beautiful creatures bring
