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A leadership ceremony takes place when a deputy receives their nine lives and their leader name with the suffix -star.

Leadership ceremony

Mudclaw giving Onewhisker a life in Winds of Change

Origins of the ceremony[]

Secrets of the Clans tells that when the early warrior ancestors promised Shadowstar, Riverstar, Windstar, Thunderstar, and Skystar that if they found other cats like themselves, chose a home in the forest, and set down borders in the forest, they would reward the five cats with eight more lives, so that they may lead their Clans for many more moons to come.[1]
However, in Moth Flight's Vision, Moth Flight receives a vision to take Wind Runner to the Moonstone as the leader is severely injured. Wind Runner loses her original life, but by then StarClan has already bestowed her additional eight lives, also renaming her Windstar.[2] After this, Moth Flight tells the other medicine cats to take their leaders to the Moonstone for their own leadership ceremonies. All four other leaders are given new leader names as well.[3]

Process[]

The new leader goes to the Moonstone (or Moonpool) with the Clan's medicine cat. After touching the stone (or drinking from the pool), the new leader cannot move for a short period of time, because their old life is being ripped away so they can receive nine new ones.[4] Upon awakening, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt.[5] Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life or the Clan's history, although this is not always the case,[6] give them their nine lives with these words:
Leadership ceremony

Onestar giving Harestar a life in Onestar's Confession

Life giver: (Touches nose to the top of the new leader's head) With this life, I give you (gift). Use it well (to, in, as, for, etc.) (use of gift).[7]
When all of the lives have been given, normally the previous leader says these words:
Previous leader: I hail you by your new name, [original prefix]star. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of [the Clan they lead]. 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.[8]
Often, after all the lives are given, the previous leader usually conducts the coronation for the new leader. However, sometimes the previous leader does not speak at the ceremony, or it is unknown if they are actually present, and another cat will conduct the coronation for the new leader - often the last cat to give them a life, but it also can be performed by the entirety of the amount of StarClan cats known to be present in the ceremony.[9]
Just as the forest-cats would call a warrior by their new name, the StarClan cats acclaim the new leader.[8] After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony, with the exception of the medicine cat.[10]
Each of the lives normally give the new leader a great deal of pain as a sign to ready them for the hard work it normally will be to lead their Clan. However, certain lives, depending on the gift, such as Spottedleaf's life with the gift of love to Firestar, do not cause pain and instead give the new leader a much better feeling.[11]
Getting nine lives does not necessarily mean that a leader will live longer, but they can survive certain accidents or injuries that would normally claim the life of a cat.[12] However, they cannot survive if they have major injuries such as the injuries Scourge gave Tigerstar.[13]
If a leader no longer wishes to be the leader, they must go to the Moonstone/Moonpool to revoke all but one life, so their deputy may receive their full nine lives. Sunstar only had eight lives because Pinestar never officially retired at the Moonstone.[14]
In rare cases, a cat chosen to be leader that has already died may be taken to the Moonstone/Moonpool to be revived by StarClan. The only example of this phenomenon to date is the resurrection of Tigerstar. [15] The revived cat only receives eight lives, as they had already used up one of their lives prior to the ceremony.[16]

Lives[]

During the leadership ceremony, nine lives are given to the new leader. Those lives are virtues or traits that the leader might lack in or need more of and aims towards making their leadership fair to all cats they lead.[17]

Notes[]

  • Bluestar gives Firestar a life that has three virtues: nobility, certainty and faith.[24]
  • Crookedstar gives Mistystar a life that has two virtues: wisdom and strength.[9]
  • Mistystar is given the life of justice twice, just worded differently. Stonefur gives the life of equality and battling injustice and Bluestar gives the life of doing what is right however hard that may be.[9]
  • Windstar receives a two lives that have two virtues: Petal gives her the life of friendship and loyalty,[55] and Branch gives her the life of confidence and trust.[99]

Life givers[]

The following is a list of cats who have granted lives to specific cats.

Giver Gift Receiver
Gray Wing Determination[44] Windstar
Unknown[100] Thunderstar
Perspective[63] Riverstar
Unity[31] Blackstar
Petal Friendship and loyalty[55] Windstar
Turtle Tail Stubbornness[55]
Branch Confidence and trust[99]
Willow Tail Forgiveness[51]
Morning Whisker Resilience[90]
Emberkit Love[75]
Half Moon Remembering StarClan[75]
Storm Unknown[100] Thunderstar
Wise, nurturing heart[63] Riverstar
Quiet Rain Kindness and humility[63]
Moon Shadow Patience[83]
Jackdaw's Cry Resilience[59]
Hawk Swoop Initiative[59]
Rainswept Flower Honesty[59]
Frost Fairness[59]
Flutter Courage[59]
Darkstar Faith in instincts[64] Cloudstar
Maplestar Unknown[64]
Thrushpelt Courage to trust instincts[65] Heatherstar
Daisytail Force of a mother's love[81]
Doestar Survival[21] Pinestar
Oakstar Judgement[21]
Hollypelt Courage[21]
Harepounce Loyalty[21]
Stagleap Knowledge of war and peace[21]
Pearnose Trusting wisdom for protection[21]
Hawkfoot Strength of a nursing queen[21]
Thunderstar Making difficult choices[21]
Morningstar Compassion for weaker cats[21]
Cedarstar Unknown[101] Raggedstar
Living by the warrior code[97] Brokenstar
Farsightedness[17] Tigerstar (TPB)
Lizardfang Unknown[101] Raggedstar
Judgement[68] Brokenstar
Sagewhisker Unknown[101] Raggedstar
Compassion[26] Brokenstar
Persistence[20] Tigerstar (AVoS)
Plump black-and-white tom Unknown[101] Raggedstar
Strength[26] Brokenstar
Dawnstar Putting ShadowClan above all others[101] Raggedstar
Honor[47] Brokenstar
Determination[45] Leafstar
Stonetooth Duty[47] Brokenstar
Skinny gray tom Truth[68]
Hopekit or Wishkit Love of kin[68]
Small brown tabby she-cat Clear sight[26]
Mole Courage to do what he believes to be right[36] Tallstar
Palebird A mother's love[36]
Finchkit The strength to act without fear or hesitation[92]
Moth Flight A sense of adventure[22]
Unknown[102] Harestar
Heatherstar The power to judge wisely[22] Tallstar
Woollytail Honoring old traditions[22]
Dawnstripe Patience[84]
Shrewclaw Commitment to upholding the warrior code[98]
Sandgorse Forgiveness[52]
Hailstar Courage[37] Crookedstar
Bravery[23] Leopardstar
Duskwater A mother's love[27] Crookedstar
Troutclaw Justice[27]
Mossleaf Trust[27]
Lilyflower Compassion[27]
Lightningpaw Humility[61]
Brightsky Hope[61]
Love[56] Leopardstar
Sparrowfeather Patience[61] Crookedstar
Shellheart Loyalty[78]
Pinestar Compassion[28] Bluestar
Being aware of what goes on beyond Clan borders[42] Tigerstar (TPB)
Mumblefoot Endurance[28] Bluestar
Larksong Humor[38]
Sweetpaw Hope[38]
Sunstar Courage[38]
Goosefeather Patience[38]
Mosskit Trust[76]
Moonflower Love[76]
Snowfur Pride[87]
Littlebird Compassion[29] Tigerstar (TPB)
Badgerfang Training young cats wisely[42]
Perspective[86] Blackstar
Whitetail Understanding that size isn't everything[96] Tigerstar (TPB)
Sedgestar Pride in ShadowClan[48]
Flowerstar Placing faith in StarClan[48]
Redscar Trusting instincts[66]
Mossheart Mercy[66]
Riverstar Acceptance[19] Leopardstar
Whiteclaw Empathy[40]
Frogleap Devotion[23]
Oakheart Unity[53]
Courage to follow her heart[9] Mistystar
Silverstream Forgiveness[53] Leopardstar
Loyalty to do what is right[79] Firestar
Finding happiness where there seems to be none[9] Mistystar
Whitefang Patience[85] Leopardstar
Sunfish Friendship[56]
Lionheart Courage[7] Firestar
Greatest pride in ThunderClan[74] Bramblestar
Redtail Justice[70] Firestar
Runningwind Tireless energy[79]
Brindleface Protection[88]
Swiftpaw Mentoring[80]
Yellowfang Compassion[30]
Forgiveness[54] Tigerstar (AVoS)
Spottedleaf Love[30] Firestar
Healing[58] Leafstar
Bluestar Nobility, certainty, and faith[24] Firestar
Judgement[69] Blackstar
Doing what is right despite adversity[9] Mistystar
Clear judgement of character[25] Bramblestar
Blizzardwing Acceptance[18] Blackstar
Raggedstar Trust[94]
Loyalty[15] Tigerstar (AVoS)
Rosetail Compassion[31] Blackstar
Stonefur Integrity[67]
Equality and battling injustice[9] Mistystar
Nightstar Loyalty[73] Blackstar
Shadowstar Leadership[73]
Cloudstar Endurance[41] Leafstar
Skywatcher Hope[62]
Leafstar's mother Love[62]
Redstar Wisdom[45]
Birchstar Sympathy and understanding[45]
Swiftstar Selflessness[45]
Birdflight Faithfulness[49]
Tallstar Judgment[71] Onestar
Stagleap Strength[71]
Wrenflight Love[77]
Sorrelshine Loyalty[57]
Brushpaw Friendship[57]
Windstar Survival[93]
Unknown[102] Harestar
Gorsestar Sense[91] Onestar
Unknown[102] Harestar
Gorsepaw Compassion[32] Onestar
Mudclaw Determination[46][103]
Graypool A mother's love[9] Mistystar
Feathertail Acceptance of fate[9]
Exploring beyond the borders of the Clan[82] Bramblestar
Crookedstar Wisdom and strength[9] Mistystar
Rippletail Curiosity[9]
Perchkit Bravery[9]
Firestar Courage to make the hardest decisions[39] Bramblestar
Goldenflower Understanding the love of a mother[25]
Mousefur Listening to elders[74]
Ferncloud Understanding that not only warriors play a role in protecting the Clan[95]
Cinderpelt Offering second chances[82]
Ravenpaw Speaking out against injustice, pursuing the truth above all else[72]
Onestar Honesty[102] Harestar
Rowanclaw Strength[33] Tigerstar (AVoS)
Kinkfur Courage[33]
Pinenose Compassion[33]
Dawnpelt Hope[54]
Littlecloud Loyalty[15]
Flametail Love[15]

See also[]

External links[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 5
  2. Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, chapter 35
  3. Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, chapter 36
  4. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 45
  5. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 46
  6. Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, pages 442-443
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 47
  8. 8.0 8.1 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 54
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 3
  10. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 67
  11. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, pages 52-53
  12. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 302
  13. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 234
  14. Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 4
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 405
  16. Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, chapter 35
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 96
  18. 18.0 18.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 2
  19. 19.0 19.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 421
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 404
  21. 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 21.16 21.17 21.18 Revealed in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 5
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 498
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 423
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 53
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 52
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 448
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 27.7 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 442
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 500
  29. 29.0 29.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 91
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 52
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 6
  32. 32.0 32.1 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 243
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 402
  34. Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 442
  35. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 297
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 495
  37. 37.0 37.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 441
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 501
  39. 39.0 39.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 51
  40. 40.0 40.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 422
  41. 41.0 41.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 487
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 92
  43. Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 55–56
  44. 44.0 44.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 440
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5 45.6 45.7 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 493
  46. 46.0 46.1 Revealed in Winds of Change, page 203
  47. 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 446
  48. 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 94
  49. 49.0 49.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 497
  50. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 295
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 443
  52. 52.0 52.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 501
  53. 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 424
  54. 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 403
  55. 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 55.4 55.5 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 441
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 426
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 239
  58. 58.0 58.1 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 490
  59. 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 59.4 59.5 59.6 59.7 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 294
  60. Revealed in Onestar's Confession comic, page 10
  61. 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 61.5 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 443
  62. 62.0 62.1 62.2 62.3 Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 489
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 63.5 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 292
  64. 64.0 64.1 64.2 Revealed in Cloudstar's Journey, chapter 2
  65. 65.0 65.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 1
  66. 66.0 66.1 66.2 66.3 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 95
  67. 67.0 67.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 9
  68. 68.0 68.1 68.2 68.3 68.4 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 447
  69. 69.0 69.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 8
  70. 70.0 70.1 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 48
  71. 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 237
  72. 72.0 72.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 57
  73. 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 10
  74. 74.0 74.1 74.2 74.3 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 53
  75. 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 445
  76. 76.0 76.1 76.2 76.3 76.4 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 502
  77. 77.0 77.1 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 238
  78. 78.0 78.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 444
  79. 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 49
  80. 80.0 80.1 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 51
  81. 81.0 81.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 2
  82. 82.0 82.1 82.2 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 55
  83. 83.0 83.1 83.2 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 293
  84. 84.0 84.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 499
  85. 85.0 85.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 425
  86. 86.0 86.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 5
  87. 87.0 87.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 503
  88. 88.0 88.1 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 50
  89. Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 378
  90. 90.0 90.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 444
  91. 91.0 91.1 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 242
  92. 92.0 92.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 496
  93. 93.0 93.1 Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 241
  94. 94.0 94.1 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 3
  95. 95.0 95.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 54
  96. 96.0 96.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 93
  97. 97.0 97.1 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 445
  98. 98.0 98.1 Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 500
  99. 99.0 99.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, pages 442-443
  100. 100.0 100.1 Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, chapter 6
  101. 101.0 101.1 101.2 101.3 101.4 Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 30
  102. 102.0 102.1 102.2 102.3 Revealed in Onestar's Confession comic
  103. Revealed in Onestar's Confession, page 244
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