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An Cait Sidhe, The Fairy Cat -Cat Pet Urn Design Influence

This Cat Pet Urn is handmade in Ireland by one of our best ceramicists and the design is his own and captures the mythical nature of Cats in Ireland and its culture and the detailing on the nose of a Celtic Knot represents eternity as it never ends. If you are looking for a Pet Urn in Ireland that is individual and very special this is the one. This Cat Pet urn is also available in other colors - see images. Other Cat Urn options are also available by clicking here. Some design background and the Cat Pet Urn. The Celtic people produced a wealth of intriguing folklore. My interest was piqued when I learned about the rich folklore surrounding a cat-based creature known as the Cait Sidhe in Ireland. Pronounced “caught shee” and translated as “fairy cat.” The Cait Sidhe were spirit-realm-type creatures who took the form of cats, often but not always with a spot of white on their chests. For the most part, the Cait Sidhe were seen as fearsome, but they were also capable of bringing good blessings. Here are some of the tales about them as well as where they show up in cultural events and what their origin might be.

Stories influencing the design of the Cat Pet Urn

Irusan, King of the Cats Long ago lived a Irish poet named Senchan Torpeist, who was so known for his ability to roast people with his rhymes that even William Shakespeare wrote about him. Shakespeare noted that when Senchan began to criticize some mice on his kitchen table with his poetry, they all dropped dead from shame. On one occasion, Senchan was called to visit (human) King Guaire. Senchan found fault in everything that the king offered him to eat. The only thing that Senchan agreed to eat was an egg, but before he could do so, a rat came and stole the egg away. This act of theft infuriated Sechan so much that he began to use his poetic skills to criticize all of the cats of the land for not ridding the area of rats — including (and I do believe he was mentioned by name) KingIrusan, the king of the cats. Immediately, King Irusan appeared, ferociously making his way past King Guaire’s guards. Those who were there described him as being the size of bull, with teeth bared, and long, sharpened claws. Irusan scooped up Sechan with every intent of taking him back to his lair for some criticism of his own, but he was stopped by St. Kieran (known as the first saint born in Ireland). True to form, Sechan then turned his rhymes against St. Kieran for intervening.

Funeral Wakes

It was believed that Cait Sidhe could steal the soul of the dead before the gods could claim it. Therefore, the Celtic people did everything they could to distract Cait Sidhe from passing over the body of the dead prior to burial. Day and night the body was guarded during a Feille Fadalach or “late wake.” Many of these distractions played to Cait Sidhe’s cat-like nature. hat included leaping and wrestling were played because a Cait Sidhe would love to watch or join in. Fires were extinguished in the room where the body was laid because the warmth would attract the Cait Sidhe. Catnip was spread throughout the house except the room the body was in. Music called coronach (“laments”) was played because the Cait Sidhe would love to stop and dance. Riddles would be asked but never entirely answered. After all, the Cait Sidhe would love to ponder all of the different answers proposed by guesses. Samhain On the night of Samhain (pronounced SAU-wen, the holiday that we know as Halloween), everyone was to leave a saucer of milk for the Cait Sidhe. When the Cait Sidhe came by your house, he would leave either blessings as a thank you for the treat or a curse on your cows because you didn’t leave him the treat. Taghairm Taghairm was an evil practice most recently observed in May 1824 as recorded by the London Literary Gazette. It was believed that a Cait Sidhe named Big Ears would appear and grant wishes to those who took part in the ceremony. The ceremony required four days and nights of successively burning cats alive. About the author: Robin Mudge lives in the Metro Detroit area with her husband and two cats: Cinco and Manna. She writes articles covering a large variety of feline-oriented topics on her blog Playful Kitty. This Urn has a beautiful feel and texture and you will clearly see the hand-thrown nature of the piece. For more reading on the fairy Cat click here.

Color
The colors are earthy so they represent the timeless beauty found in the nature of Ireland and its seas. Our artisan mixes his own glazes and names each.. Slieve Foy Green, a mysterious deep green found in the moss and heather across the Mourne and Cooley mountains that surround his home. Cooley Summer yellow of barley fields, gorse, and heather-covered mountains. Lough Blue, a rich ultramarine echoing the depths of Carlingford Lough.

Presentation

This Urn is delivered in a beautiful Urn presentation box lined with Irish traditional hessian.

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