We’ve featured several cat-themed posts in the past, where we focused on particular breeds, but we made sure to save black cats for Halloween Month. Before we show you the tattoos, let’s learn a little more about black cats and how they became a symbol of superstition.
There are 22 breeds of cats that can have pure black coats, as one of several possible colourings. So, why is it that we’re taught to be fearful of one particular colour of fur?
Black cats are more likely to be male and most generally have yellow eyes. We won’t lie, if we were walking the streets at night and all we could see were a pair of glowing yellow eyes in the distance, we would be a little scared. However, this unnatural aversion to black cats runs much deeper.
Despite black cats being considered good luck in Britain (they’re mentioned in Scottish folklore and Celtic mythology) and Japan, most of the Western world sees them as bringers of bad luck.
The Pilgrims brought their staunch Bible beliefs and suspicions of black cats with them to the US. They deemed the animals associates of Satan and considered their human companions witches – and we all know how that ended for those people.
Due to this stigma that still remains, black cats are less likely to be adopted compared to other cats – this applies to any black-coated animal, actually.
To add insult to injury, the RSPCA has reported black cats were more likely to be abandoned because they don’t look photogenic in selfies; this is how shallow our society has become. Shelters in the US and Canada are doing their part to encourage more black cat adoptions. Each year, on Black Friday, they waive fees for anyone who adopts a black cat.
There are just as many positive superstitions associated with black cats as there is negative. So, this year (if you live in North America), forget midnight shopping and save a life instead.
Blackwork planchette, candles and black cat tattoo by @angeloparente
Traditional witch and black cat tattoo by @avalontattoo
Black cat and bones tattoo by @aelliott2
Black cat and tombstone tattoo by @angeloparente
Neo trad Dungeons and Dragons themed black cat tattoo by @shaneklostattoo
Demon kitty tattoo by @hayleyblackwoodtattoo
Black cat in a witches hat and jack-o’-lantern tattoo by @ryanxmcd
Floral neo trad black cat tattoo by @allday_jina
Sparkly crescent moon, bats and black cat tattoo by @linneatattoos
Illustrative neo trad black cat tattoo by @timtavaria
Traditional black cat and jack-o’-lantern tattoo by @jennifertroktattoos
Black cat tattoo by @crispylennox
Stylised black cat tattoo by @szymgo
Blackwork ghost cat tattoo by @ismonkah
Spoopy black cat and candy corn tattoo by @pastelxghoul
Blackwork black cat tattoo by @grahmatter
Decorative neo trad black cat tattoo by @olie_siiz
Neo trad black cat tattoo by @johnny_domus_mesquita
Black cat spider tattoo by @iris_lys
Spoopy black cat cauldron tattoo by @jennifertroktattoos
Black cat, jack-o’-lantern and haunted house tattoo by @ell_torres_tattoos
Stylised black cat tattoo by @ericmoren0
Black cat tattoo by @lucybluetattoo
Black cat tattoo by @marcuuscampos
Sparkly black cat and jack-o’-lantern tattoo by @goldlagrimas
Updated: 25 October, 2019
Neo trad witchy black cat tattoo by @charlotte_eleanor88
Sparkly witch black cat tattoo by @sadboykurt
Illustrative neo trad witchy black cat and pumpkin tattoo by @ninmesarra 
Black cat tattoo cover up by @charlotte_eleanor88
Witchy black cat tattoo by @sadboykurt