Animal Superstitions

When one considers the individual species and variations of animals that share this great planet of ours it’s not surprising to learn there’s a myriad of superstitions surrounding them. Domestic animals have been a source of inspiration for writers over centuries. In the days before cars, the internet, telephones and the post office people would spend many long hours with their dogs, cats and even horses. It’s only natural that stories and superstitions were born around these creatures, and many remain with us to this day.

Have you considered using an animal superstition as part of the plot in a story?

CATS

T.S. Elliot immortalised the cat in his Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. In Norse mythology the goddess Freya’s chariot was drawn by horse-sized cats. Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland features the wonderful Chesire Cat, who appears at will to engage Alice in some rather interesting debates. Perhaps the most famous reference to the Chesire Cat has him slowly disappearing until all that remains of him is his grin! And who could forget Church – the cat who comes back to life in Stephen King’s terrifying book Pet Semetary?

Ancient Egyptian mythology tells of the goddess Bast, whose head was that of a cat. She was a protector and defender of pharaohs as well as of the land of Egypt. Cats are frequently portrayed in literature as a loyal companion to witches; indeed, cats are as synonymous with witches as broomsticks and pointy hats. A familiar’s duty is to serve its master, who is a practitioner of the supernatural arts. Although not as intelligent as their masters they’re usually equal in intellect to the average human being, and can help cast spells – as well as working around the house!

Here are a few obscure superstitions about cats:

Any kitten that has the misfortune to be born in May is destined to be a witch’s familiar.
There’s an ancient superstition that believes that anyone who kills a cat is actually sacrificing his soul to Satan.
Kicking a cat is a sure punishment – you’ll get rheumatism.
Contrary to popular opinion a black cat crossing your path is actually a good omen. However inhabitants of the USA, Belgium and Spain are partial to white cats taking a stroll across their paths.
It’s considered bad luck to look at a black cat from its derriere…
Italians believe that anyone who hears a cat sneeze will have good luck.

DOGS

This animal appears to have less of an attraction for those practicing the black arts. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about The Hound of The Baskervilles, which tells of a demonic dog that kills members of the family Baskerville living near Dartmoor. Modern authors tend to focus on a more realistic horror: Stephen King’s Cujo was a victim of the disease rabies. That book, and the film that followed it, are extremely unsettling, proving that horror isn’t always supernatural.

Ancient Egyptian mythology features the character of Anubis, the god of the underworld. He’s usually depicted with the head of a dog or a jackal, probably because these animals lived in the desert and lurked around cemeteries. It is said that the reason the ancient Egyptians paid so much attention to preserving the dead was because Anubis’ keen canine nose would check each person entering his kingdom. Those who smelled pure would be allowed in, which is why herbs and perfumes played such a big part in the embalming process.

Dogs seem to be associated more with loyalty and devotion, hence the favourable image they’ve found in literature. Greek mythology tells of Odysseus’ dog Argos, who was a puppy when his master left to fight at Troy. At the end of the Trojan Warhe returned home, disguised as a beggar to see what had happened in his kingdom during his absence. It had been more than ten years since his departure so nobody recognised him - except Argos. He’d been neglected during his master’s travels, and he dropped his ears, wagged his tail and whimpered a greeting. Having fulfilled his desire to see his master again (everyone thought Odysseus had been killed at Troy) Argos lay down and died. A more modern tale focuses on Tutankhamen’s tomb. It’s claimed that when the expedition’s Lord Carnavon died in Cairo after the tomb was opened his dog, who was living miles away in England, howled once – then died.

Some superstitions about mans’ best friend:

It’s good luck to meet a dog, particularly a Dalmatian.
It’s bad luck to be followed by a strange dog, particularly if it’s black.
If a dog howls three times it means a death has occurred.
If a dog howls for no reason it indicates unseen spirits are around.
When a dog eats grass it means it’s going to rain.

HORSES

Our links with this animal are strong, because throughout history the horse has worked closely with man – we have travelled upon the horse, gone to battle on its back and used it for manual labour. Indeed, man’s relationship with this animal is probably the reason for the following superstitions:

White horses are apparently an indication of bad luck.
It’s considered bad luck to change a horse’s name.
People who suffer from whooping cough will be cured by inhaling a horse’s breath.
Horse brasses were used to protect horses from witches.

The Bible’s Book of Revelations (Chapter 6, verses 1 to 8) describes The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse(War, Famine, Pestilence, Disease). Each horseman is released on the opening of a seal, and represents God’s curses upon the world. Each rode upon a different coloured horse, and each has a different representation:

The White Horse represents false innocence/peace. The rider, who wears a crown and carries a bow, symbolises The False Christ or False Religion. He has been interpreted as The AntiChrist, but this is not mentioned in the Bible. His has the power to conquer.
The Black Horse, representing barren and blackened fields, carries a rider who’s symbolic of famine and unfair trade. He carries a set of scales and his power is Famine.
The Red Horse symbolises blood spilled upon a battlefield. His rider carries a sword, and brings War.
The Pale Horse represents decaying pale skin. His rider carries the power of Death. Interestingly, the word originally used to describe this horse is actually the Greek word for “green” – chloros. It’s used to describe the colour of the skin of the sick, the recently dead or those close to Death.

Authors and Hollywood have drawn upon The Four Horsemen many times for inspirations. Terry Pratchett features them in his Discworld series, and James Patterson used a variation upon the The Four Horsemen theme in his crime novel Pop Goes The Weasel. The popular TV show Charmed featured an episode where The Four Horsemen were represented by four neatly suited businessmen directing their activities from the comfort of a corporate office. And one of the recent seasons of The Simpsons features the end of the world, with four skeletal horsemen riding off into the clouds.