Tradition / Region: French Mythology
Alternative names: Money Cat, Magician Cat
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Matagot is a supernatural spirit that most often appears as a black cat. While many Matagots are considered evil, some are believed to reward those who treat them properly with great wealth.
According to the legend, a wealth-bringing Matagot must first be lured with a fat, fresh chicken. Once captured, its new owner must carry it home without ever looking back. From then on, the Matagot must always receive the first bite of food and the first drink at every meal and be provided with a comfortable place to sleep.
If treated with this respect, the Matagot rewards its owner by leaving a solid gold coin every morning.
However, the creature demands lifelong devotion. In the traditions of Gascony, an owner must pass the Matagot on to someone else before dying. Anyone who keeps the spirit until death is said to suffer a long and agonizing end, unable to die until the Matagot has been released to a new master.
Sources
“Matagot.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matagot