Here are some superstitions about cats from the 1900s:
If a cat, lying down, turns its tail north or east, it will storm; if it turns its tail south or west, it will be clear weather.
In Spain, if the cat‘s skin looks bright, it is a sure sign that the next day will be fair.
Marshal Saxe, who knew no fear in the hottest battle, would run and scream with fear when he saw a cat.
If you spit on a cat, it will avenge itself, and you will have ill luck.
If a cat licks your face, expect much trouble in the near future.
It is unlucky to be in a room with a tailless cat.
Never cut a cat‘s whiskers.
An old rhyme, which is said to be of old Saxon origin, runs thus:
“True calendars as pussies are,
They wash to tell what change is near.”
If a cat follows a person, it is a sign of good luck.
If a cat purrs around a man, even if it is repeatedly driven off, it is a sign that he is about to die. (Fiji.)
To own a cat of three colors in Canada, is lucky.
When the housewife’s cat was ill fed and consequently of a lean and meager appearance, it was thought in Scotland, that it was due to the witches riding them in the night.
If a woman does not treat her cats well, she will have rainy washing days.
Three-colored cats, as for instance, black, white and yellow, are lucky creatures for the owner.In England, a reward of two thousand pounds is said to have been offered some time ago, for a male cat of that description.
A black cat with a white face, is very auspicious.
When the cat‘s eyes are oval, the tide is out. When round, the tide is in.
The one who stops a cat from singing, will lose in their next venture.
If a tortoise-shell cat comes to you, it is a sure sign that you are going to get money.
When Wyat had been cast into prison by King Richard III., there to starve to death, a cat appeared at the window grating and dropped into his hand a pigeon, which the warder cooked for him. This continued daily, and thus Wyat was kept alive.
In Devonshire, a superstition prevails that a cat will never stay in the house with a corpse, and stories are often told how, on the death of any inmate of the house, the cat suddenly made its disappearance, and did not return again until after the funeral.
If you see a cat marching around with its tail stiffly erect instead of hanging down as usual, there is a storm approaching.
Those cats having the most electricity in them, will have their tails most erect.
If a strange cat spits at you, the devil is in it, and you may look for misfortune.
It is said that a cat that never purrs, is as dangerous as a snake.
If a person, going after the doctor after dark, sees a black cat run across the road in front of him, he may expect the death of the patient.
To find a cat asleep in a chair which you wish to occupy, signifies good luck.
If you castrate a cat, it will never stray from home.
Some believe cats suck the breath of sleeping infants.
“If a cat washes over the ear, storm is near;
If a cat washes over the eye, storm will pass by.”
If you own a cat and take it away, trying to lose it, you will go home to bad luck.
If you find a dead cat on your premises, look out for robbers.
Never cut a cat‘s whiskers. It cannot feel out any more good luck for you till they grow out again.
“A black cat in the morning.
Of an accident gives warning.”
There is a German superstition that anyone who has made cats his enemies through life, will be accompanied to his grave by a storm of wind and rain.
When the cats, in their quarrels, keep up for days that peculiar cry which sounds like a baby’s cry of distress, disaster and death are impending, to the one who hears them. (Irish.)
It is an unlucky omen to have a cat jump over a corpse.
If a cat goes off and stays away from home a long time and then comes back, it is a sign of good fortune.
