Mythical Creatures in Writing, Part IV.
Image this…
You’re traveling through Scottish highlands and cross paths with a black cat the size of a Rottweiler, its back arched with its fur bristled – what do you do? Don’t try to cuddle it would be my recommendation, unless you want to both break you back and be spooked by this ferocious, spectral creature.
Cait Sith
What is it?
Cait sith is a large black cat that is said to be a fairy creature, though this seems to be in debate, as others believe it is a witch in cat form. The cat haunts the Scottish Highlands, and originates from Celtic mythology.
Ability / Power
Legend has it these cats are witches’ familiars.
They have the ability to look into a person’s mind and see what truly frightens them, and uses that very thing to fill the person’s head with images of their fears. This gets me thinking – imagine tapping into the mind of a cait sith and using it to your bidding. That might mean carrying a cat around with you and explaining why you have a cat with you when in public, but aside from that small hiccup, you can scare everyone silly!!!
Despite their large size, they can be easily slayed as any other animal.
Physical Appearances
A spectral black cat with a white spot on its chest, the size of a dog and often becomes alarmed if stumbled across – so approach with caution.
Appearances in Fiction
- Play a cait sith character in Final Fantasy VII. Also appears in Final Fantasy XI.
- Aria, an animation of a cait sith who’s role is akin to being the lord or god of the cats on both earth and Mars, and has supernatural powers.
- A similar cat appears in Edgar Allan Poe‘s short story, “The Black Cat,” in which an ominous feline appears with a white patch on its breast whose shape appears to change into that of the gallows as a means of exacting vengeance on its master for its predecessor’s death.
Did you know? Cait means cat in both Irish and Scottish Gaelic.
Sources:
Previous Mythical Creature Posts:
Mythical Creatures in Writing, Part I - Marchosias: A Kick-Ass Creature
Mythical Creatures in Writing, Part II – Ningyo: The Deadly Mermaid
Mythical Creatures in Writing, Part III - Abatwa: Riding Ants to Victory
Cait Sith is also in the DS Final Fantasy game: Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light :3