Cats and Luck

English schoolchildren believed seeing a white cat on the way to school was sure to bring trouble. To prevent the bad luck, they were to spit or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross.
Charles I, king of England, owned a black cat that he felt brought him luck. He was so afraid of losing it that he had it guarded day and night. As it happened, the day after the cat died, he was arrested.
A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. - Italian superstition

Dreaming of a cat is sometimes regarded as a sign of bad luck in the future. On the other hand, American folklore has it that dreaming of a white cat is good luck.
In England, it was believed that if a black cat lived in the house, the young lass would have plenty of suitors.

In France, it is believed that if you find one white hair on a black cat, Lady Luck will smile upon you.
In Yorkshire, England, while it is lucky to own a black cat, it is extremely unlucky to come across one accidentally.
In the early 16th century, a visitor to an English home would always kiss the family cat to bring good luck.
In the Dark Ages, a cat was mortared, while still alive, into the foundation of a building to ensure good luck to the inhabitants.
If a black cat crosses your path while your driving, turn your hat around backwards and mark an X on your windshield to prevent bad luck.

It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. - French superstition

Fishermen's wives kept a black cat at home to prevent disaster at sea.

It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. - American superstition

To see a white cat on the road is lucky. - American supersition

Fisherman's wives kept black cats while their husbands went away to sea. They believed that the black cats would prevent danger from occurring to their husbands. These black cats were considered so valuable that they were often stolen.

It is considered bad luck to pass a black cat after 9 pm

In North America, it's bad luck if a black cat crosses your path and good luck if a white cat crosses your path. In Britain and Ireland, it's the opposite.

If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.