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When a black cat crosses your path, is it good or bad luck? What about when they appear on your TV screen? Cute to some yet foreboding to others, black cats receive a range of reactions due to various superstitions around the world. Commonly associated with witches, black cats are an iconic figure of spooky season and Halloween.
Among the many principal figures related to Halloween (witches, vampires, ghosts, etc.), black cats are a staple of spooky decor, merchandise, and media. Although opinions about cats, especially black ones, can vary, the characterization of black cats in visual media can be entertaining and receptive to large audiences. A certified staple of Halloween, black cats make sassy and lovable feline sidekicks in movies or shows like Hocus Pocus (Kenny Ortega, 1993), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Nell Scovell, 1996-2003), Sailor Moon (Junichi Sato, 1992-1997), and Kiki’s Delivery Service (Hayao Miyazaki, 1989), with the iconic cats ultimately reflecting superstition and emphasizing positive companionship.
Global Superstitions About Black Cats
Superstitions regarding black cats differ among various cultures. While the folklore of some countries decries black cats as representing evil or bad luck, many cultures view the felines as a sign of good fortune instead.
Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, cats were revered for their role in protecting homes and grain from rats and other vermin. Black cats, in particular, were highly regarded as representatives of the goddess Bastet, who the ancient Egyptians worshipped as the guardian of women and households. In this way, black cats in ancient Egypt were celebrated and worshipped, with any harm done to them punishable by death (( Preskar, Peter. 2020. “Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Luck?” )).
Medieval Europe
In the middle ages, Pope Gregory IX declared black cats the incarnation of the Devil, causing a purge of black cats throughout medieval Europe (( Preskar, Peter. 2020. “Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Luck?” )). Black cats also quickly became associated with witches and witchcraft, intensifying public distrust of the felines even further. However, in later centuries, black cats were rumored to bring bad or good luck depending on how one encountered them. To cross paths with a black cat was considered bad luck; however, black cats were said to bring good luck to brides before marriage if given as a gift. It was also a common belief that black cats could guarantee luck with sailing, with sailors often housing black cats as lucky charms (( Barking Heads. 2020. “Are black cats lucky or unlucky?” )).
Japan
Superstitions about black cats in Japan are largely positive, with some traditions saying that they bring good luck in finding love or suitors. In Japan, it is considered a great sign if one crosses paths with a black cat. The felines are also said to bring wealth and prosperity to individuals and homes (( Barking Heads. 2020. “Are black cats lucky or unlucky?” )).
North America
European colonizers in North America also associated black cats with witches and satanism. It was commonly believed that black cats were transformed witches in disguise, and to cross paths with one was a warning or evil omen from a witch (( “Black Cat.” Wikipedia. October 30, 2021. )).
Four Famous Black Cats On Screen
Given how black cats symbolize different omens around the world, the representation of the felines in media becomes all the more interesting. Below are four iconic black cats from crowd-favorite movies and TV shows.
Thackery Binx From Hocus Pocus (1993)
The cult classic Hocus Pocus features a beloved black cat named Thackery Binx, a centuries-old boy trapped in a cat’s body by a spell. As a boy, Binx is cursed while attempting to rescue his younger sister from a murderous witchy trio called the Sanderson Sisters. Sadly, Binx is unable to rescue his sister and spends three centuries guarding the witches’ house as a cat to prevent anyone from summoning them to life again (( “Hocus Pocus (1993 film).” Wikipedia. October 30, 2021. )).
Despite Binx’s best efforts, the Sanderson Sisters are semi-accidentally summoned again by the main character Max. Binx joins Max, Dani, and Allison in evading the Sanderson Sisters while trying to find a way to defeat them. Throughout Halloween night, Binx befriends Dani and gives advice to Max about being an older brother. Binx is a caring and determined cat and tries his best to protect Dani as if she is his own sister (( Thackery Binx. Disney Fandom Wiki. October 30, 2021. )). While Binx is kind to Dani, he also delivers many funny and sassy one-liners that make his character all the more entertaining and memorable.
You hags! There are not enough children in the world to make thee young and beautiful!”
-Thackery Binx, Hocus Pocus
Luna From Sailor Moon (1992-1997)
An advisor to Queen Serenity and sidekick to Usagi, Luna from Sailor Moon is another fantastic example of a well-rounded and iconic black cat in television. Luna witnesses the invasion of the Moon Kingdom by the Dark Kingdom and is tasked with finding the Sailor Moon princesses on Earth to reform the Sailor Senshi. On Earth, Usagi saves Luna from being picked on, and the black cat informs her of her destiny as a hero (( “Luna (anime).” Sailor Moon Wiki. October 30, 2021. )).
Luna’s personality is sweet, polite, and proper. The black cat often nags Usagi throughout the series, yet this comes from a place of sincerity and love for the girl. Luna often teases Usagi, typically making sassy jokes that poke fun at her situations or choices. Despite this, Luna is always there for Usagi and successfully helps her reunite with the other princesses. Luna is also brave and rarely backs down from an opponent, utilizing her powers and strategic skills to protect herself and others (( “Luna.” The Wake Wiki. October 30, 2021. )).
You must live for those that love you.”
Luna, Sailor Moon
Salem Saberhagen Of Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
From the spooky 90’s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Salem Saberhagen is a centuries-old witch who is transformed into a cat as punishment for plotting to take over the world. Hilda, Sabrina’s aunt, is sentenced to take care of Salem due to her role in his plan. Salem lives with Hilda, Zelda, and Sabrina in a suburb of Boston, and often causes trouble for the trio for his own entertainment (( “Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV Series).” Wikipedia. October 30, 2021. )).
Considered by many as the best part of the Sabrina series, Salem stands out as one of the funniest characters in the humorous show. The black cat is sarcastic and somewhat sadistic, frequently making snarky one-liners and jokes that display his wit. However, Salem also genuinely cares for Sabrina and his aunts (although he tries not to show it), giving her advice and helping her grow as a person and a witch (( “Salem Saberhagen.” The Sabrina the Teenage Witch Fandom Wiki. October 30, 2021. )). The melodramatic and smart-mouthed cat remains a meme-worthy and loveable figure from the show to this day.
It’s a beautiful way for me to tell me- ‘I love me.'”
Salem Saberhagen, Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Jiji From Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Last but not least, on this list of iconic black cat characters is Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. In this heartwarming film from Studio Ghibli, a young witch named Kiki sets off to find work with only her cat, Jiji, for company. Jiji accompanies Kiki as she settles in a new city and finds work delivering food for a bakery. The two are very close, and their bond is tested several times throughout the film, with Kiki losing her ability to understand Jiji and the latter finding company with other cats.
Jiji is a complex example of a black cat on screen, as the feline’s personality differs between the subtitled and dubbed versions of the film. Jiji’s character is voiced by a female voice actor in the original Japanese, and the cat is characterized as humble and careful. The dubbed film portrays Jiji as more sarcastic and talkative, with a male voice actor playing the cat. Beyond this difference, Kiki permanently loses the ability to understand Jiji in the Japanese version, while the ending of the English dub hints that she can still understand him. Hayao Miyazaki explained that Jiji is meant to represent the immature part of Kiki, and she no longer understands him because she has grown as a person (( “Jiji.” Studio Ghibli Fandom Wiki. October 30, 2021. )).
You’d think they’d never seen a girl and a cat on a broom before.”
Jiji, Kiki’s Delivery Service
How Do Cultural Superstitions Impact Representation?
While there are many similarities between these four black cats from movies and TV, there are also a few notable differences that may be attributed to various cultural superstitions. The black cats from Western media, Binx and Salem, are both sarcastic and witty, the slight edge of the felines hinting towards the negative superstitions about black cats. Moreover, both of the cats are created through witchcraft and are associated very closely with witches, further indicating Western ideas.
In comparison, Luna and Jiji represent Japan’s perception of black cats through their plot relevance and personalities. Both cat characters accompany female humans, calling to mind the Japanese superstition that black cats bring women good luck with finding suitors. However, in the case of these specific examples, Jiji and Luna bring the humans luck in connecting with themselves. Also, the Japanese representation of black cats is significant as they do not rely on witches for plot relevance. For Sailor Moon, Luna is not the familiar of a witch but an advisor for princesses with superpowers. Meanwhile, Jiji is a familiar for a witch, but the cat and Kiki are separated so that they both may grow independently, with Jiji making friends with other cats and Kiki maturing. In this way, Luna and Jiji represent how Japan does not always associate black cats with witches like what is done in Western superstitions.
With the differences between Binx, Luna, Salem, and Jiji in mind, what do the cats share in common? The most essential common idea between the cats is the importance of companionship. While the black cats have their own personalities, they all share a love for their humans and wish to help them. Whether it be protecting them from witches, helping them find their true destiny, get through high school, or start a new life, black cats are companions through thick and thin. Ultimately, while superstitions vary, the representation of black cats in the media showcases how the felines are funny, loyal, and kind friends for humans to love all year round.
