Spirit Guides

All the Clans believe that, when warriors die, their spirits go to live on in StarClan. Amongst the island Clans, it is believed that there are certain animals that help to guide the spirits of fallen warriors to the afterlife. However, due to differences in the territories' terrains, each Clan has a different animal as their "spirit guide."

The spirit guides of CliffClan are albatross – massive, sea-faring birds that are said to be able to soar over the entirety of the ocean before they tire. In CliffClan mythology, the enormous wings of the albatross are used to envelop the spirits of dead cats, which the albatross will then carry with it on its flight over the ocean. When the albatross returns to land, it is said that its spirit charges will have been delivered safely to StarClan. Killing an albatross is said to bring extremely bad luck on the hunter, and doing so is strictly taboo amongst warriors of CliffClan, even potentially punishable by exile.

The spirit guides of ShoreClan are manta rays – large, sea-dwelling rays with fins on either side of their bodies almost like wings. In ShoreClan mythology, manta rays carry the spirits of dead cats on their backs, traveling far out into the ocean where no living cat would be able to survive to lay spirits to rest. Witnessing a manta ray breaching the water is said to be a sign that a cat's deceased ancestors or loved ones are watching over them. Although manta rays are deeply respected and revered amongst warriors of ShoreClan, seeing a large group of them congregating close to shore is considered a bad omen, foreshadowing great tragedy.

The spirit guides of VineClan are Hawaiian owls (called pueo) – moderately sized, nocturnal birds of prey with soft, dappled wings that allow them to fly silently through the jungles. In VineClan mythology, the silent flight of an owl represents the respectful silence held during vigils for fallen warriors, and is an owl's own way of paying its respects as it carries off spirits to StarClan. All owls are held within high esteem amongst VineClan, but the pueo in specific is considered the direct line between cats of VineClan and their ancestors in StarClan. Pueo eggs are considered physical vessels for spirits to visit the waking world in, and all cats of VineClan are duty-bound to protect those eggs from predators, as nests are made on the ground where the eggs are vulnerable.