Cù-sìth
Mythical hound that takes souls with three barks.
The cù-sìth (or cù-sìthe, pronounced roughly "koo-shee") is a supernatural hound from Scottish and Irish folklore, known in Ireland as the cú sídhe. It shares traits with the Welsh Cŵn Annwn. This creature is more dangerous than the similar cat-sìth because it can steal the souls of the living, not just the dead.
This hound is said to live in rock clefts and roam the Highland moors. It is typically described as the size of a small cow, with a shaggy, dark green coat, darker green fur on its ears, and yellowish fur near its feet. Its footprints are about as wide as a human hand with splayed fingers. Its tail is sometimes described as long and coiled over its back, or flat and plaited like a pack-saddle's straw rug.
The cù-sìth hunts silently but will occasionally give three terrifying barks—and only three—that can be heard for miles, even far out at sea. Anyone who hears these barks must reach safety before the third bark, or they will be overcome with terror and die. Breastfeeding women were considered especially vulnerable, as the creature was believed to kidnap them to nurse fairy children. Some sources say it always travels in a straight line while hunting. Besides humans, it also preys on other dogs. When not hunting, coin-shìth serve the Fae Folk as watchdogs or companions on expeditions.
Quick Facts
- Habitat
- Highlands
- Aka
- Cu Sidhe
- Similar Entities
- Cŵn Annwn
- Folklore
- Irish folklore, Scottish folklore
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The cù-sìth is thought to make its home in the clefts of rocks and to roam the moors of the Highlands. It is usually described as having a shaggy, dark green coat with deeper green fur on the ears and more yellow fur towards the feet. It is said to be the size of a small cow with footprints about the width of a human hand with splayed fingers. The tail is sometimes described as long and coiled up on its back, and sometimes as flat and plaited 'like the straw rug of a pack-saddle'.
Reader's Guide
According to legend, the creature was capable of hunting silently, but would occasionally let out three terrifying barks, and only three, that could be heard for miles by those listening for it, even far out at sea. Those who hear the barking of the cù-sìth must reach safety by the third bark or be overcome with terror to the point of death. Women who were breastfeeding were considered more vulnerable to attacks of the cù-sìth, as it was believed that it would kidnap them and force them to nurse faerie children. Some sources say that it only ever traveled in a straight line while hunting. In addition to humans, it also preyed on other dogs. When coin-shìth weren't hunting, they were used by the Fae Folk as watchdogs or as expedition companions.
Did You Know?
- The cù-sìth is considered more dangerous than the Cat-sìth because it can take the souls of the living, not just the dead.
- Its bark can be heard for miles, even far out at sea, but it only ever barks three times.
- Breastfeeding women were believed to be especially vulnerable, as the creature would kidnap them to nurse faerie children.
- The cù-sìth sometimes has a tail described as flat and plaited like the straw rug of a pack-saddle.
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