BLACK cats are often associated with Halloween, witches and all things spooky.

But is it considered good or bad luck if you see the moggies, and why do they have such an unfortunate reputation?

3 In many areas of Europe, black moggies are considered a symbol of bad luck, but it varies depending on the location Credit: Getty - Contributor

Is a black cat crossing your path good luck or bad luck?

Black cats feature in the superstitions of many countries — but whether they mean good luck or bad varies.

In the Middle Ages they were thought to be the assistants of witches, and in the US they are still thought to bring misfortune.

But in Britain and Ireland it is lucky to see a black cat, as it is in Germany — as long as it crosses your path from left to right.

And if a cat walks towards someone it is said to bring good fortune, but bad luck if the cat walks away, as it "takes the luck” with them.

In fact, the Scots have a superstition that if a strange black cat arrives at a home, this signifies prosperity.

However, in many other areas of Europe, black moggies are considered a symbol of bad luck, especially in the event of one walking across the path in front of you, which is said to be an omen of death.

If a black cat wanders on to a ship and then off again, the ship is said to be doomed to sink on its next voyage.

3 In the Middle Ages black cats were thought to be the assistants of witches Credit: Getty - Contributor

Where did the tradition of cats being bad luck come from?

In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped due to being linked to the goddess Bastet, who was said to bring protection to the home.

She was originally depicted with a lioness head, but this changed to a cat when the moggies were first kept as domestic pets by the first millennium BC.

However, many Western cultures have associated dark-coloured felines with being evil omens and linked them to witches and the devil.

Some think this began with the Pilgrim Fathers who settled in America and were said to be superstitious about things they considered linked to evil.

The Puritan migrants viewed black cats as being demonic and considered female owners as potential witches.

In Western culture a witch's familiar is often depicted as a black cat.

Legend has it that English monarch Charles I thought that his black cat was a source of luck for him, and is said to have lamented that his good fortune would end after his pet died.

The day after his pet passed away, he was arrested and charged with high treason.

3 The Puritan migrants viewed black cats as being demonic Credit: Getty - Contributor

What are the top superstitions in the UK?

As well as Friday the 13th, here are some widely-spread superstitions in Britain:

Avoid walking under a ladder

Touching wood

Breaking a mirror

Crossing your fingers

Picking up a penny

Breaking a wishbone and making a wish

Throwing salt over your shoulder because you spilt it

Avoiding opening an umbrella inside

Avoiding putting new shoes on the table

Avoiding telling anyone your birthday wish when blowing out your candles

Saluting a magpie

Ensuring you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, borrowed, something blue on yours or a friend's wedding day

Avoiding the number 13

Avoiding walking over three drains

Avoiding the number 666

Avoiding seeing the bride in their wedding dress before their wedding day

Avoiding walking over a crack

Avoiding letting a black cat cross your path

Having your husband carry you over the threshold of your new home

Avoiding stepping on a grate

Ensuring the bride (yourself or a friend) has not worn her complete wedding clothes before the day

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Avoiding lighting three cigarettes with one match

Pushing a spoon through the bottom of an empty eggshell after finishing it

Carrying a lucky rabbit's foot around with you

Cutting off both ends of the loaf of bread

Making sure you haven't left a white tablecloth on a table overnight

Never giving gloves as a present