Introduction
Black dogs have long been associated with both good and bad luck in folklore and mythology around the world. Beliefs about black dogs date back centuries, originating from various cultural traditions and superstitions.
In British folklore, tales of spectral black dogs roaming the countryside were common by at least the 16th century. The earliest known report of a “devil dog” comes from Lancashire in 1188, indicating that black dog legends were already well established at that time (Black dog (folklore), 2022).
These large black dogs were often seen as either protective guardian spirits or as evil harbingers of death. In some traditions, they served as witch’s familiars or guarded graves. The black dog has roots in pre-Christian mythology, later becoming intertwined with local legends and folk Catholicism.
Black Dogs as Protective Spirits
Black dogs have long been part of British folklore as guardian spirits thought to protect people or warn them of impending danger or death. One of the most famous is Black Shuck, a ghostly black dog said to roam the coastline and countryside of East Anglia. According to folk tales, seeing Black Shuck was thought to be an omen of death. His name may derive from the Old English word “scucca” meaning “demon.”1
Another well-known black dog is the Gurt Dog in Somerset. This massive black dog was said to be “as big as a calf” with eyes “the size of saucers.”2 Local legend claims the Gurt Dog was the ghost of a deceased person buried in an unconsecrated grave, forced to protect the region as penance. Sightings foretold of death or disaster. However, some saw the Gurt Dog as a helpful guide or guard.
These black dogs are not necessarily evil, but considered dark omens or harbingers of death. They seem to inhabit the liminal space between the living world and afterlife. While frightening in appearance, black dogs like Shuck and Gurt Dog were also considered by some to be protective spirits watching over travelers in lonely places.
Hellhounds and Demonic Associations
Black dogs have long been linked to the devil and evil forces in medieval folklore. They were seen as demonic entities and harbingers of death. According to the Wikidata page on hellhounds, these supernatural black dogs were considered as “monsters” in English folklore. The black color was associated with death and darkness, seen as an evil omen if a black dog was spotted at night.
As explained in the Lore Thrill article, black dogs were sometimes referred to as “hellhounds” – demonic creatures believed to serve Satan by bringing souls of the damned down to hell. Their menacing appearance, glowing red eyes, and tendency to haunt graveyards perpetuated their evil associations in medieval mythology and folktales.
According to the Hellhound page on the Parody Wiki, these ominous black dogs were seen as harbingers of death across European mythology. Encounters with them were thought to portend tragedy, accidents, or death. Their demonic nature made them feared and linked to the devil in the minds of superstitious medieval people.
Witch’s Familiars
During the witch hunts of the 16th-18th centuries, black dogs were often believed to be a witch’s familiar spirit in disguise. Familiars were said to be demons or imps given to witches by the devil to carry out evil deeds and acts of magic. The association of black dogs with witchcraft led to the widespread persecution of solitary black dogs during this time period.
Many black dogs were killed as supposed familiars, and stories circulated of witch’s familiars appearing in the form of black dogs to help witches steal milk from cows orslip poison into a baby’s cradle at night [1]. These familiar spirits were thought to do the witch’s bidding both in human and animal form.
The witchcraft trials at Chelmsford in 1556 recorded a victim’s testimony that “four black frogs and a black cat and a black dog with a white spot on the breast” sucked on her body to feed the witches’ imps [2]. This account demonstrates how black dogs and other black animals were considered vessels for evil during the witch hunt era.
[1] Tarot Decks
[2] Tarot Decks
Church Grims
Church Grims (also known as “Kirk Grim”) are black dogs from northern English folklore that are said to guard churchyards from evil spirits. The belief originated in northern England, where large black dogs were sacrificed and buried in churchyards to protect the site from the Devil.
According to folklore, the first person buried in a new graveyard had to guard it against evil spirits intent on disrupting consecrated ground. To aid this, a large black dog was buried alive on the north side of the churchyard as a “guardian spirit” or Church Grim. The dog’s ghost would then protect the church and graveyard from witches, the Devil, and other malign influences.
The role of the Church Grim was to patrol the churchyard and scare away any people with ill intent. They protected the sacred ground from being defiled or having bodies stolen by necromancers. Church Grims were also believed to prevent the Devil from entering consecrated land and claiming souls buried there.
This tradition seems to originate from pre-Christian practices of sacrificing animals during a new building’s construction to appease and ward off evil spirits. The black dog was likely chosen due to its associations with death and the underworld. The earliest known reference to “kyrkegrim” is in an English poem from 1687.
As cited from https://mainpicks.weebly.com/year-walk-church-grim-folklore.html, when Christianity began to spread, pagan beliefs were incorporated into folklore about churchyard watchdogs that protected against witches, demons, and dark magic.
Black Dogs in Literature
Black dogs have appeared as ominous figures in literary works for centuries. In folklore and fiction, they are often portrayed as harbingers of death or misfortune.
One of the earliest examples appears in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, published in 1902. The huge black hound in the Sherlock Holmes novel is imagined as a curse upon the Baskerville family.
Ian McEwan’s critically acclaimed novel Black Dogs was inspired by Winston Churchill’s description of depression as a “black dog.” In McEwan’s book, the black dogs symbolize the evil lurking within human nature.
In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the spectral “Grim” takes the form of a giant black dog. In divination, the Grim is an omen of imminent death.
Stephen King’s horror novel The Stand depicts a character named Randall Flagg who can transform into a black dog. Flagg is an evil and chaotic force who wreaks havoc wherever he goes.
From malign hounds haunting the moors to ominous shapeshifters, black dogs have served as powerful symbols of darkness and danger in literature throughout the ages.
Modern Associations with Death
Despite more positive meanings developing over time, the stereotype linking black dogs to death and evil has persisted in modern culture. As recently as the 19th century, seeing a black dog was considered a warning of impending doom or death.
One reason this stereotype endures is the continued portrayal of black dogs as demonic or ill-omened in literature and media. Works like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles and Stephen King’s The Dark Half depict vicious black dogs as harbingers of misfortune or even fatal attacks.
The black dog has become a common symbol in horror films and ghost stories, usually playing the role of a terrifying supernatural entity. According to folklore expert Theo Brown, “ghostly black dogs acting as portents or causes of death is a widespread belief” that holds power in the modern collective imagination.[1]
While more positive associations have arisen, the black dog remains saddled with a reputation as a bearer of doom. Centuries of ominous folktales and continued use as a symbol of terror help sustain the superstition linking black dogs to death.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_dog_(ghost)
New Age Views of Black Dogs
In New Age and Neopagan belief systems, black dogs are often seen as spirit guides, totem animals, or mystical protectors. According to these views, black dogs have a deep connection to the spirit world and can guide people on their spiritual paths.
Some New Age practitioners believe that black dogs appear to people as spirit guides when they need protection or emotional support. The black dog guide will walk beside a person during challenging times, providing inner strength, comfort, and unconditional love.
Others see the black dog as a spirit animal or totem representing qualities like loyalty, protection, intuition, and steadfastness. When a black dog appears repetitively in a person’s life or dreams, it’s thought to be a sign that these energies are needed or that the person should develop these traits within themselves.
In witchcraft and Wicca, black dogs are sometimes considered as familiar spirits that witches or cunning folk work with for guidance. The black dog familiar can provide psychic protection, occult knowledge, and clarity when performing divination or magic rituals. Their dark color links them to the shadow self and the underworld.
Overall, New Age views shed a positive light on black dogs as enlightened beings, removing the superstitious negativity surrounding them. They are seen as mystical creatures here to assist people on their life journeys. (Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/seeing-a-black-dog-spiritual-meaning-omen–953144708613756041/)
The Truth Behind the Superstitions
Despite the persistent folklore surrounding black dogs as omens of death or danger, there is no credible evidence that they actually predict or cause harm. The superstitions likely arose from fear and misunderstanding of these animals.
According to folklorists, black dog legends sprang up during the Middle Ages when society was highly superstitious and fearful of the unknown or supernatural. The color black became associated with evil, while dogs were often viewed with suspicion due to their scavenging habits. This led to an irrational dread of black canines.
However, research shows black dogs are no more aggressive or dangerous than dogs of other colors. In fact, some studies indicate black dogs may make excellent pets due to their mellow temperaments. There is nothing mystical or malevolent about them from a scientific standpoint.
While black dogs remain embedded in folklore, the superstitions seem to persist today mainly through lore and storytelling rather than any real life events. As the Wikipedia article on black dogs notes, “no verified accounts exist of supernatural black dogs.”
So in summary, black dogs are not proven harbingers of misfortune or death. The superstitions likely arose from cultural associations of the color black with evil, paired with unfounded fears of dogs. But evidence shows black canines are no more omen-bearing than any other breed or color of dog.
Conclusion
The concept of black dogs being either good luck or bad luck is a complex one that has roots in ancient superstitions and folklore. Looking at the history, black dogs have been both revered and feared across many cultures, often being associated with death, the afterlife and the supernatural. The church grims of Britain offered protection, while the hellhounds and “Black Shuck” of folklore were said to be ominous harbingers of death or disaster. Witches were believed to have black dogs as their familiars. However, modern associations linking black dogs with death likely stem from old superstitions rather than any proof that the coat color determines temperament.
Upon examining the mythology and literature around black dogs, it becomes clear there is no inherent connection between a dog’s color and its role as either a fortunate or unfortunate omen. In fact, much of the superstition around darker coat colors likely arose from a fear of the unknown. In modern times, black dogs are just as beloved as lighter colored ones when it comes to their standing as pets. The mythic associations with death or the Devil are outdated notions with no basis in the reality that black dogs have the capacity to be just as loyal, affectionate and uplifting as any other dog. In the end, it is clear a dog’s character cannot be judged on the color of its fur. Like all dogs, black dogs may bring great joy, comfort and companionship into their owners’ lives.