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What is Cù-Sìth?
Cù-Sìth(e) (pronounced Koo-Shee) are mythological creatures in Irish (spelt cú sídhe), Scottish and Celtic folklore and mythology. The creature is also considered like the Cwn Annwn in Welsh mythology. I would also say it sounds like Hellhounds.
What does it mean and look like?
Cù-Sìth(e) is roughly translated to fairy dog (or faerie dog). The dog-like creature is said to be as big as a calf (baby cow), with mossy green fur. Any depictions of these dogs have resembled a big Wolf, German Shepard or an Irish Wolfhound. The giant dog is said to belong to the Otherworld or the Fairy realm (hence the name). Cù-Sìth(e) was feared by all who know the story.
What is the Cù-Sìth purpose/story?
The dog is said to be a harbinger of death that roams the Highlands. Its mighty bark can be heard for miles, even drifting out to sea. It’s said that if you hear the howl of a Cù-Sìth(e) three times in a row and don’t make it to a safe space, you will die of fear.
Nursing mothers had to be locked up during these times. It was believed that the Cù-Sìth(e) would take the woman back to the Otherworld so she could feed the young faeries her milk. Or the baby would be taken and replaced with a changeling.
The big dog was known to take souls from one realm to another (the Otherworld or Underworld). Sometimes, the dog would silently hunt their victim, taking them in the shadows, but other times, they would use the mighty bark to claim the victim.
Final Words
While there isn’t much to say about the Cù-Sìth, I find it one of the most fascinating beings in Celtic mythology. I love that it almost pairs with cat-sìthe; despite being a separate creature, both appear to have similar roles and strike the same fear in people.
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