In the Western culture, black cats have taken a bad rap as "witches familiars," which has carried through since the middle ages in Europe and the Salem Trials in Massachusetts in 1692.
For that reason, black cats are still considered "unlucky" by superstitious folks. Most readers are familiar old saw about a black cat crossing your path bringing bad luck. There's even one saying that if a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
Learn more fascinating superstitions about black cats in Black Cat Folklore.
