I have had three black cats and they still hold such a special place in my heart. Inky was my pillow pal. Cookie was the absolute sweetest cat. Onyx was my feline soul mate. I was interested in how black cats came to be associated with Halloween, so did a little Google research. None of our cats are allowed outside, other than in our screened pool area. We made them come in the house on Halloween, just the same. Some people are just not to be trusted. I found this article, which I am copying here:
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How Black Cats Came To Halloween
Black cats have long served as objects of superstition. In Medieval France and Spain, black cats were considered bringers of bad luck and curses to any human they came near, and were associated with witchcraft. Many Medieval Germans believed themselves to be cursed if a black cat crossed their path from left to right. Black cats, however, have also served as symbols of good luck in numerous cultures. In the British Islands, black cats are often believed to bring affluence to any house they occupied. In Japan, they are also considered to bring good luck. In Ancient Egypt, black cats were worshipped as sacred.
How did black cats come to represent bad luck and spookiness in the United States? It all started with the Pilgrims in the Plymouth colony. The Puritan Pilgrims distrusted anything associated with witches and sorcery, including black cats.They actively persecuted black cats – it became a practice to burn black cats on Shrove Tuesday to protect the home from fire. After the anti-witch zeal had subsided in the colonies, black cats had been thoroughly cemented in popular legend right alongside witches. Decorators use them as a Halloween symbol,both alongside witches and independently, to add a frightful, unnerving ambience to their front steps, their green eyes spooking trick-or-treaters.
But if you’re really feeling the holiday spirit this Halloween, consider adopting a black cat from an animal shelter or rescue service. Due to latent superstition, studies have shown that black cats are much less likely to be adopted compared with other fur colors. By adopting a black cat, you may rescue an animal who may otherwise not have found a loving owner. However, some shelters will not adopt-out a black cat immediately before Halloween. Some owners have been known to use them as “living decorations” before abandoning them.
So I went a little crazy with the images, but they are all so cute! Are you dressing up for a party this year, or do you dress up to hand out treats to the little ones? I've never been to a costume party and we don't hand out candy anymore. Bah humbug to Halloween.
If I wanted to dress up, I would go with my Peanuts character costume. I had so much fun creating myself as a Peanuts character.....
Create your own image as a Peanuts character HERE!! Have fun!
Just a reminder that prayer requests can be left in a comment on my Prayer & Praise tab. I am pleased to add your needs to my daily prayers. God bless!!
Happy Friday to you, and thanks for stopping by my blog today! Peace & hugs.








Nice post, Terri...thanks. Have a beautiful day. Blessings
ReplyDeleteNot a Halloween fan here. Never have been. The images make me smile. Enjoy your weekend. Love the peanut character of you.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of mixed feelings about Halloween. For a few years, I haven't handed out candy, either, so I completely understand that. But...ALL the little kitty images are adorable. Happy weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteP.S....this would be great to link to Friday Foto Friends...lots of pics!!! :)
DeleteI have never had a black cat. I have had black + white cats. Striped are my fave.
ReplyDeleteWe are having family over to watch scary movies and we are getting dressed up. I am going as a black cat. :)
Excellent! LOL
DeleteI suppose black cats in shelters like black dogs are overlooked because people don't notice them as much. My sister's black lab mix iis the sweetest dog ever like your black cats. I know how much you must miss Onyx. I think I remember Cookie too. Our most special black cat was called Midnight. Everybody loved him. Good post and happy Friday to all.
ReplyDeleteToo sad for the black cats.
ReplyDeleteI don't like Halloween, but I live in a neighborhood that loves it. We have lots of children who come by for treats. Always cute, always polite. We all take our lawn chairs and sit out front to greet and hand out candy. I used to bag up candy with little gifts and a tract, but the past few years have failed to think about that in time. This year we will be in church on Halloween. Hopefully, the kids will get all they want from others.
I am a dog person and have not had a cat, but have been considering it possibly for the future. We will see. Happy Friday, Teri. You are a blessing.
Terri, I never knew that there was a superstition about owning a black pet (dog or cat). I guess they just don't get adopted or bought as much. I love my little black poodle. I love cats too but am allergic. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDelete