Good morning!
Among cats, very cute fluffy creatures of various colors, black ones have long stood out. It is a well-known fact that these animals often suffered from unfair treatment, because they were usually identified with black magic and bad luck.
However, in some cultures it was the opposite - the presence of a black cat was considered a good sign. Over time, people realized that if black cats differ from other purrs, then only due to their particularly refined and elegant appearance, and any of them can become a favorite for the whole family. Therefore, a separate holiday is dedicated to these graceful creatures - International Black Cat Day, which is celebrated every year on August 17.
Black cats did not immediately gain a bad reputation - the color of their fur did not cause negative associations in ancient cultures. For example, in Ancient Egypt, the goddess Bastet was depicted as a black cat. This cat goddess was the protector of women and the home, so she was universally respected.
Cats in Egypt were also revered because they saved homes and granaries from mice and rats. At the same time, black cats were attributed a particularly important mission - they were supposedly able to drive away evil spirits from their owners.
The Egyptians once even lost an important battle with the Persian army, because the enemy army used a large number of cats as human shields. The Egyptian warriors refused to fight, because they could not harm the sacred animals and incur the wrath of the goddess Bastet.
Cats in general, and black ones in particular, remained favorite animals until the Middle Ages. Black cats were especially respected by sailors - their presence on a ship meant a successful voyage. Even the weather was predicted by the cat's behavior - for example, when it sneezed, rain was expected, and when the cat diligently cleaned its fur, it meant that sunny days were approaching.