MANILA, Philippines -- Bats and black cats are animals often associated with evil deeds and Halloween.
According to "Kuya" Kim Atienza in Sunday's episode of "Matanglawin," bats became associated with Halloween because of a ritual called Samhain.
This ritual, often practiced by the Celtics, involves setting up bonfires to drive away insects. Bats usually appear during the ritual, as insects are essential in their diet.
The Samhain is traditionally celebrated from sunset of October 31 to sunset on November 1.
As far cats, there are many superstitions associated with this animal, Atienza said.
In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred and worshipped. However, in the 17th century, cats began to be associated with witchcraft.
From being symbols of good luck, cats, especially black ones, became symbols of bad luck.
In some cultures, it was also believed that witches turn into black cats, adding to the stigma on these animals.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
