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A GUIDE TO TRADITIONAL
WARRIOR CAT NAMES
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[align=justify]THE BASICS ✧
Warrior cat names always have a prefix and a suffix. When a kit is born, it is up to their parents (most commonly the mother) to give them a prefix, almost always based on their appearance. In a Clan, the name of a new kit is given with the suffix -kit at the end. An apprentice has the suffix -paw at the end of their name. Warriors have different suffixes, unique to the specific individual, and having something to do with their appearance or personality. There have been instances where a character has earned their name based on an accomplishment, a discovery of great importance, or their actions in battle. A leader has the suffix -star, to signify their connection to StarClan and their rank as leader.
To summarize:
Traditional warrior cat names have two parts to them; a prefix and a suffix.
A prefix is chosen at birth by the parents, normally based on appearance.
Kits: -kit suffix
Apprentices: -paw suffix
Warriors: No set suffix; they are given one unique to their appearance or personality.
Deputies: Doesn't change from what they were given at their warrior ceremony, or from a name change after an injury (or other significant event).
Leaders: -star suffix
NAME CHANGES ✧
Some cats have their names changed after an injury, or when their name no longer portrays who they are. For example, in the books, Sparrowpelt was renamed Halftail after he lost half of his tail. This is not exclusive to warriors. In the books, Rainflower asked to change her son Stormkit's name, which was changed to Crookedkit. Name changes can happen at any stage in life.
[font=arial]CEREMONIES ✧
[size=9]Apprentice Ceremonies
When a kit reaches the age of six moons, they are ready to become an apprentice. This ceremony is done in a Clan meeting lead by the Clan leader. In this ceremony the kit is given their apprentice name where they lose the 'kit' suffix of their name and given 'paw' instead. The Clan Leader also chooses an experienced warrior to be the apprentice's mentor.
Process:
Leader:
"[Kit's name], you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as [apprentice name, ending with 'paw']. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior."
The Leader then signals for the chosen mentor to step forward.
Leader:
"[Chosen mentor's name], you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from [Former mentor's names], and you have shown yourself to be fierce and brave. You will be the mentor of [Apprentice's name], and I expect you to pass on all you know to [Apprentice's name]."
The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan 'greets' the new apprentice by calling out their name in a chant. The apprentice will usually visit with their family, and/or go see their mentor, who congratulate them.
New Mentor Ceremonies
When an apprentice's mentor can no longer fulfill their responsibilities because they are injured, or they passed away, a new mentor needs to be assigned. This is done in a Clan meeting by the Clan leader who chooses a new mentor.
If the old mentor has only minor injuries or is traveling away from the Clan and will return, the apprentice will be given a temporary mentor until they are fit to be their mentor again; this does not require a ceremony.
Process:
Leader:
"I call upon my Warrior ancestors to give this Apprentice a new mentor. [Apprentice's name], you have lost your mentor, so your new mentor will be [Chosen new mentor's name]."
The new mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new mentor by calling out their name in a chant.
Warrior Ceremonies
Once an apprentice has received around six or more moons training from their mentor, they may be ready to become a Warrior. When the apprentice's mentor is happy with the apprentice's progress, they will consult the Clan leader and tell them they think they are ready.
The apprentice will then have to perform a final assessment (usually a hunting test) where they are watched over by their current mentor to see if they are truly ready.
In some cases the Clan leader may decide an assessment isn't needed, usually because of a special achievement that showed that they were ready. Examples would be saving kits, or fighting courageously in a battle.
When an apprentice passes their assessment or is chosen to be given their warrior name without one, and the Clan leader and mentor are completely satisfied they are ready, they will be given their warrior name in a special ceremony. This ceremony is done in a Clan meeting lead by the Clan Leader.
Process:
Leader:
"I, [Leader's name], leader of [Clan name], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this Apprentice. [He/She] has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend [him/her] to you as a Warrior in [his/her] turn."
Leader:
"[Apprentice's name], do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Apprentice:
"I do."
Leader:
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your Warrior name. [Apprentice's name], from this moment you will be known as [New warrior name changing the 'paw' suffix to another of the leader's choosing, unique to the appearance or personality of the new warrior]. StarClan honors your [Virtues that describe the new Warrior], and we welcome you as a full warrior of [Clan name]."
The leader then rests their muzzle on the new warrior's head, and the new warrior licks the leader's shoulder in return. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling their new warrior name in a chant. They will usually visit their family, and/or go see their former mentor, who congratulate them.
The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night. However in some cases this isn't possible; they may still sit a silent vigil outside of camp or may be told to do something else instead.
Injured/Dying Apprentice Ceremony
Sometimes tragedy can come upon an apprentice, where they are striped of the chance to become a full warrior in an accident.
If an apprentice is dying or is injured, and unable to become a full Warrior, the Clan Leader can perform a special ceremony where they give them their Warrior's name even though they will never truly live as one. This gives the apprentice spirit of the warrior they could have been, and if they are dying, means they can join StarClan as a warrior.
This ceremony isn't usually done in a Clan meeting; it is done by the Clan Leader who will usually visit the apprentice in the medicine cat den.
Process:
Leader:
"I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. [He/She] has learned the Warrior Code and given up [his/her] life in the service of [his/her] Clan. Let StarClan receive [him/her] as a warrior. [He/She] will be known as [New warrior name]."
Medicine Apprentice Ceremony
When a Kit reaches six moons of age, they are ready to become an Apprentice, or in certain cases they may be chosen as the Medicine Cat Apprentice. This ceremony is done in a Clan meeting called by the Clan Leader when the Clan Medicine Cat says they would like to take on an Apprentice, it is lead by the Medicine Cat and Clan Leader. In this ceremony the Kit is given their new Medicine Cat Apprentice name where they lose the 'kit' suffix of their name and given 'paw' instead. The Clan Leader also names the current Medicine Cat as their mentor.
Process at Clan Meeting:
Medicine Cat:
"Cats of [Clan Name], as you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown [Virtues that describe the chosen cat]. Your next medicine cat will be [Chosen cat's name]."
Leader:
"[Chosen cat's name], do you accept the post of apprentice to [Medicine cat's name]?"
Apprentice:
"I do."
Medicine Cat:
"Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the [Moonstone/Moonpool] to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats."
Leader:
"The good wishes of all [Clan Name] will go with you."
The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out their name in a chant. The apprentice will usually visit their family, and/or go see their mentor, who congratulate them.
Process At the Moonstone/Moonpool:
At the next half moon after the Clan ceremony, the medicine cat goes with the apprentice to the Clans' sacred place to present him or her to the warrior ancestors, where the apprentice confirms that they wish to be a medicine cat.
Medicine Cat:
"[Medicine Apprentice's name], is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?"
Apprentice:
"It is."
Medicine Cat:
"Then come forward."
Medicine Cat:
"Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. [He/She] has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant [him/her] your wisdom and insight so that [he/she] may understand your ways and heal [his/her] Clan in accordance with your will."
The medicine cat and the apprentice then lay down and have a dream from StarClan.
Medicine Cat Ceremony
Medicine cat apprentices usually remain apprentices for longer than that of a normal apprentice, mainly because of the vast amount they must learn about herbs and healing, as well as interpreting signs from StarClan.
When the Clan medicine cat feels that their Apprentice has learned the ways of a medicine cat well and is happy with their medical knowledge they will take them to the Clans' sacred place (Moonstone/Moonpool) where they will perform a ceremony in front of the other medicine cats and give the apprentice their full medicine cat name. This is the only ceremony done without the Clan leader.
However, receiving the name of a full medicine cat does not make them a true medicine cat; it shows that they are ready to become the Clan's medicine cat but they will remain the apprentice of the current medicine cat until they retire/die or cannot continue as a medicine cat for another reason.
Process:
Medicine Cat:
"I, [Medicine cat's name], medicine cat of [Clan name], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this Apprentice. [He/She] has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help [he/she] will serve [his/her] Clan for many moons."
Medicine Cat:
"[Medicine apprentice's name], do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
Apprentice:
"I do."
Medicine Cat:
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. [Medicine apprentice's name], from this moment you will be known as [New medicine cat name]. StarClan honors your [Virtues that describe the cat], and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of [Clan name]."
The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and they licks the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet him or her by calling out their new name in a chant, and congratulate them, before all the medicine cats lie down to share tongues with StarClan.
Deputy Ceremony
When the current deputy dies, retires, is promoted to leader, or unable to be deputy for any other reason, a new deputy must be chosen. The deputy must be named before moonhigh of the same day as mentioned in the Warrior Code.
Once the leader has decided on the new deputy they will call a Clan meeting and perform a ceremony naming the new deputy in front of the Clan.
Process:
Leader:
"I say these words before StarClan, that the [spirits of our Warrior ancestors / spirit of [previous deputy's name] may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of [Clan name] is [Chosen warrior's name]."
The new deputy will acknowledge his leader's decision and the Clan will call out the deputy's name in a chant. They will usually meet with their Clan mates who congratulate them.
Leader Ceremonies
A leader ceremony is very different to the others. There is no one above them to perform a ceremony in the Clan, so they travel to the Clan's sacred place (Moonstone/Moonpool) to be accepted by StarClan.
After the previous leader dies, retires, or can no longer be Leader for another reason, the current deputy travels to share tongues with StarClan to receive their nine lives and their leader name.
When the new leader touches the Moonstone or Moonpool, they cannot move for a short period of time, because their old life is being ripped away so they can receive nine new ones. When they wake, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. There are nine cats in total - usually cats who were an important part of the new leader's life - who come and each give one life to the new leader.
Process:
The new leader is greeted and then begin to receive their nine new lives. Each life has a gift and means something, such as a life for courage or love.
Each Life-Giver (repeated nine times):
Touch their nose to the top of the new leader's head .
"With this life I give you [gift - such as - [courage]]. Use it well [how to use the gift - such as - [to protect your Clan]].
The new leader will then have a strong feeling which may be a pain or a warmth depending on what the gift was.
Once all the nine lives have been given the previous leader (if the last leader is not dead, then the previous one before them) steps forward.
Previous Leader:
"I hail you by your new name, [New name removing the old warrior suffix and changing it with 'star'] Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of [Clan name]. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the Warrior Code; live each life with pride and dignity."
The vision will then fade and the new leader will wake next to the Moonstone or Moonpool, and return to their Clan as a true leader.
Elder Ceremony
When an aging warrior, queen, medicine cat, deputy, supposedly even a Clan Leader (although this has never been known to happen), feels they are unable to perform their duties any longer, they have the choice to join the Clan elders. They consult the Clan leader, who respecting their wishes, usually with regret, calls a Clan meeting to announce it to the Clan.
In some cases a cat may retire to the elders den because of an injury, which stopped them from continuing their duties. In this case their is no ceremony, and it may not be their wish to become an elder; it may have been the leader's choice to make them retire, seeing they could not continue their duties.
Process:
Leader:
"[New elder's name], is it your wish to give up the name of a [rank in the Clan] and go to join the elders?"
New Elder:
"It is."
Leader:
"Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest."
The Clan then call the elder's name in a chant and give their thanks for their service.
Name Changing Ceremony
In rare cases a cat may change their name. If the Clan leader feels their name no longer fits them, they can change it in a special ceremony. This usually may occur after an accident, common examples being the loss of part of a cat's tail or an eye which would result in a new name such as Halftail or Oneeye.
The Clan leader will call a Clan meeting and perform a ceremony giving the cat their new name.
Process:
Leader:
"Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what [he/she] is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on [he/she] will be known as [New chosen name], for [Description for why the name is being changed]."
The Clan will then call the cat's new name in a chant.