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| Not quite as big as a dog... My cat Shadow |
I first came across the character Cait Sith in New Vampire Miyu by Narumi Kakinouchi. I don't know if she intended for him to be based on the Celtic legend or not.
Anyway, a few years ago I was working on a YA Sith novel & came across the name "Cait Sith" again. (Note: Sidhe is a variant spelling.)
The legend of Cait Sith is apparently Scottish in nature and refers to a large cat from the Highlands. This creature, according to the Scottish folklore site, is "as big as a dog and completely black except for one white spot on its breast." (http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk./folklore/scottishfolkapp.html)
In my untitled Sidhe novel, Cait Sith/Kellas Cat is a protector of the heroine and also a Threshold Guardian (for you Writers Journey fans). Hm, maybe I should revive this story.
3 comments:
cool. I just read a book with a Cat Sidhe in it (the Iron Fey series) - I was wondering if she made it up. I guess not. Do you know if the pronunciation is the same if it is spelled Sith or Sidhe?
Hi Carla! I believe the pronunciation is the same. However, if someone knows better, feel free to correct me. :-)
It is pronounced the same. "Sith" is the Scottish spelling "Sidhe" is the Irish spelling. Both are pronounced "shee"...like in Banshee...which is really ban-sidhe or ban-sith, ban means female and sidhe or sith mean fairy. Cait means cat.
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