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BeescyDA — The Cu Sith

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Published: 2023-07-22 06:54:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 1092; Favourites: 8; Downloads: 0
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Description The Cù Sith, Gaelic for "fairy dog", is a spectral hound from Scottish mythology said to roam the moors of the Isles and Highlands of Scotland.


The Cù Sith is said to be larger than the largest wolf, about the size of a small cow, and it is said to have green coloured shaggy fur (although in this concept art, it has lighter fur instead).


It usually lives in the clefts of rocks and caves, and at some periods of time, it may walk out and wander around the wild. There are some accounts of people seeing glowing eyes from within the shadows.


At night, it usually goes out to hunt, and while it is usually silent, sometimes it may let out three ominous howls that can be heard for miles all around from anywhere, even far out at sea. Those that hear the howls must get to safety and hide, before the third howl happens, otherwise, hearing the third howl may trigger extreme fear in the victim to the point that they would have a fatal heart attack.


The Cù Sith was feared as it is said to be a harbringer of death, like the Grim Reaper for example. Usually, nursing mothers were locked up as quickly as possible so that they would not be taken by the Cù-Sìth to a fairy mound where they would be forced to provide milk for the Daoine Sìth.


The Daoine Sìth were “the people of the mounds” - a supernatural race, believed to be gods or spirits of nature that lived underground in fairy mounds.


Many believed that beneath these mounds were the entrances to a parallel universe where they live that exists alongside the human world.


Similar creatures have appeared in popular culture. Although much more similar to the Irish Cú Sídhe which is a large black dog with shaggy hair – The Grim from the Harry Potter series seems to be inspired by these folklore tales. J.K Rowling took a lot of inspiration from Scottish locations and folklore for Harry Potter and it seems to be the case here too. The Grim, first appearing in The Prisoner of Azkaban, was also an omen of death and Harry had multiple encounters with it throughout the book with many of his friends and teachers being concerned with it signalling his death...




Whaddyahfink about this drawing? I had experimented with drawing a different depiction of the Cù Sith, where it has lighter coloured fur, and it's mane and tail are actually made of leaves, as you can see closely, it has some leaves falling off of it.


I hope that you enjoyed this drawing, and I'd be especially proud, as I am of Scottish descent, and I drew this picture as a way for me to get back to my Gaelic roots.


Thank you for reading the lore about the creature, and Lang May Yer Lum Reek!
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