warriors
CS-3.Template
"But that was when Moonpaw heard a small whisper in her mind. I told you I would never leave you."
This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, Chasing Shadows. Please proceed at your own discretion.
"No, Mistystar. I will never feel welcome in a Clan where warriors are exiled unjustly. Icewing and Harelight risked their safety and their lives to oppose the evil presence inside Bramblestar. We should be thanking them, not sending them into exile. Besides, I chose to be a RiverClan cat, and I have served my Clan faithfully, and yet you drove me away because of my birth, which I had no control over. It will be hard for me to forget that."
— Mothwing rejecting Mistystar's offer to rejoin RiverClan in Veil of Shadows, page 287



Mothwing is a dappled[16] golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes.[1]

Mothwing is a medicine cat of RiverClan who has served under Leopardstar's, Mistystar's, Splashtail's, and Icestar's leaderships in the lake territories. She was also previously a temporary leader alongside her apprentice, Frostpaw. She was born as Moth to Sasha and Tigerstar alongside her brothers, Hawk and Tadpole. After Tadpole died, Sasha brought her kits to RiverClan, and Moth became an apprentice as Mothpaw with the Clan deputy Mistyfoot as her mentor. She later earned her warrior name of Mothwing and grew inspired to become a medicine cat. In order to secure power, Hawkfrost faked an omen so Mudfur would accept Mothwing as his apprentice. Mothwing initially dreamed of StarClan, but when Hawkfrost revealed he faked the omen, she refused to believe in StarClan because of it. After Mudfur's death before the Great Journey, Mothwing became RiverClan's sole medicine cat.

She formed a close friendship with the ThunderClan medicine cat Leafpool, who also assisted with training Mothwing's apprentice, Willowshine, about StarClan and dreams. Mothwing was manipulated by Hawkfrost to send away Stormfur and Brook from RiverClan and, though she was finally free from him after his death, she did grieve for her brother. When Mistystar learned that Mothwing did not believe in StarClan, she removed her from her position and made her an elder. However, Mistystar later received an omen that convinced her to reinstate Mothwing as a medicine cat. Following the Great Battle, Mothwing revealed that she believed StarClan existed, but questioned their guidance. She was named as a codebreaker by the impostor, eventually being exiled from RiverClan for her rogue birth and took refuge in ShadowClan, becoming a medicine cat for the rebels. Although she was allowed back into RiverClan, Mothwing chose to remain in exile and joined ShadowClan under Tigerstar. She later returned to RiverClan following the defeat of the impostor.

After returning, Mothwing became the mentor to Frostpaw, and begrudgingly took up leadership of RiverClan following the sudden deaths of Mistystar, Reedwhisker, and Curlfeather. She acknowledged that RiverClan needed help from the other Clans with their current situation seemingly at odds with StarClan. After Frostpaw was believed to be dead, Podlight claimed to have dreams from StarClan, and Mothwing became his mentor. After things took a turn for the worse in RiverClan and she got severely injured, she was banished, alongside Duskfur and Icewing, and stayed in ShadowClan temporarily. After Splashtail's defeat, she returned to RiverClan under Icestar's new leadership and was overjoyed when Frostpaw survived her wounds, renaming her Frostdawn.

Quick Answers

Who were Mothwing's mentors? toggle section
Mothwing's mentor during her warrior apprenticeship was Mistyfoot, the Clan deputy at the time. Mudfur mentored her when she decided to train as a medicine cat.
Provided by: Community
Who were Mothwing's family and how did they influence her life? toggle section
Mothwing is the daughter of Tigerstar, the former ShadowClan leader, and Sasha, a rogue. Her brothers were Hawkfrost and Tadpole. Tadpole's death when they were still kits eventually inspired Mothwing to train as a medicine cat, wanting to prevent others from dying if she could. Her other brother Hawkfrost used his sister's position in the Clan for his own schemes.
Provided by: Community
How did Mothwing's role evolve from medicine cat to a temporary leader? toggle section
Mothwing served as RiverClan's medicine for many moons. When Mistystar abruptly died, Frostpaw interpreted a star-shaped dock leaf to signify that she and Mothwing should temporarily lead the Clan until StarClan sends another sign who their leader should be. Following Curlfeather's death, RiverClan once again looked to Mothwing for leadership. When Owlnose was chosen, Mothwing assisted him with leadership duties.
Provided by: Community
What challenges did Mothwing face as the medicine cat of RiverClan? toggle section
Mothwing face numerous challenges to her career as RiverClan's medicine cat. She originally struggled with the other Clans accepting her rogue heritage. Her lack of faith in StarClan presented challenges in her role as RiverClan's spiritual advisor, though her apprentice Willowshine eventually filled in that role. Mothwing's lack of belief in StarClan was originally a secret until Mistystar revealed the truth after her nine lives ceremony. She forced Mothwing to step down as an elder, but later learned to accept Mothwing's strengths as a medicine cat. Seasons later, Mothwing was exiled from RiverClan for being half-Clan upon the impostor's orders. As a young medicine cat, Mothwing struggled to find her confidence when her mentor Mudfur passed, but with the help of Leafpool, Mothwing's talent in treating her Clanmates demonstrated her commitment to her Clan.
Provided by: Community
What was the significance of Mothwing's novella? toggle section
"Mothwing's Secret" spans from Mothwing's introduction in "The New Prophecy" arc to post "Omen of the Stars", and covers significant moments on her path as RiverClan's medicine cat. After Mudfur's hesitancy to take Mothwing as his apprentice, Hawkfrost fakes a sign of a moth's wing to urge Mudfur's decision. Mothwing's faith in her first Moonstone visit is shaken when Hawkfrost reveals he planted the moth wing. At their new territory, Hawkfrost pressures Mothwing to fake dreams for him, much to her displeasure. During the Great Battle, Mothwing is horrified to see her brother's ragged spirit fighting against his former Clanmates. After speaking with her former mentor's spirit, Mothwing concludes that StarClan does exist, but she questions their omniscience.
Provided by: Community

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

The New Prophecy

"No, Leafpool. I don't believe the spirits of our warrior ancestors come back to speak with us. Stars are just unseeing specks of light in the night sky, not dead cats looking down on us. We can keep our old friends alive with memories, but if they're not here, they're nowhere. That's what I believe. […] Because I believe in you, Leafpool."
―Mothwing to Leafpool Twilight, page 102
Mothwing is a RiverClan warrior. Leopardstar announces her as Mudfur's apprentice at a Gathering, much to the other Clans' dismay, since Mothwing was born as a rogue. Mudfur is hesitant to train her and waits for a sign from StarClan of their approval, later recieving a sign of a moth's wing outside of his den. Mothwing is still very nervous about proving herself a worthy medicine cat and freezes when Reedpaw almost drowns; Leafpaw having to save him instead.
Mothwing develops a close friendship with ThunderClan's medicine cat apprentice, Leafpaw, and she offers to teach Leafpaw how to fish, often disregarding the warrior code for her friend. When Mudfur dies, leaving Mothwing as RiverClan's sole medicine cat, Leafpaw assures her friend that she will do great. Before the Great Journey, her mother, Sasha, arrives and asks for her kits to stay with her and reveals to the Clans that their father was Tigerstar. Hawkfrost and Mothwing gently decline their mother's invitation.
At their new home, Mothwing accidentally poisons the elders with tainted water and tells Leafpaw that she does not believe in StarClan. Leafpaw has trouble accepting this revelation, but still acknowledges Mothwing as a brilliant medicine cat. Willowpaw becomes Mothwing's apprentice, and Leafpool walks in Willowpaw's dreams to teach her how to interpret omens and prophecies from StarClan. Hawkfrost threatens Mothwing to make up an omen to drive out Stormfur and Brook and calls his sister useless despite faking the moth's wing omen for her. Her brother is killed by Brambleclaw, freeing Mothwing from his manipulation.

Power of Three

Mothwing: "It helps to share ideas."
Jaypaw: "Does StarClan give you good advice, too?"
—Jaypaw pressing Mothwing about her beliefs The Sight, page 278
Jaypaw, Leafpool's apprentice, is puzzled by Mothwing's lack of faith in StarClan, though he notes she is talented at her duties. He begrudgingly thinks that Mothwing enjoys the quick nap she gets at each half-moon meeting. Mothwing continues to chat with Leafpool and eagerly shares her herbs with WindClan when a bout of greencough breaks out. Mothwing makes Willowpaw a full medicine cat with the name of Willlowshine. From that point, Mothwing sends Willowshine to the half-moon meetings in her place.

Omen of the Stars

"They're just dead warriors! Do you think that when they die, they get clever and brave? Don't you realize that some of them may be as foolish and wrong-headed as they were when they were alive?"
―Mothwing to Jayfeather Night Whispers, page 217
After Leopardstar dies, Mothwing accompanies Mistyfoot to the Moonpool to receive her nine lives. Mistystar discovers Mothwing does not believe in StarClan, which causes an icy rift between the two. Despite StarClan's warning to avoid talking to the other medicine cats, Mothwing tries to get Jayfeather to speak to her and insists they should not believe everything from StarClan all the time. When Jayfeather reveals her brother, Hawkfrost, is training Clan cats in the Dark Forest, Mothwing is filled with grief and disowns her brother and his actions. She later shows Jayfeather the burning reed, signifying Firestar as the fourth cat.

A Vision of Shadows

"I admit something happened there. But if StarClan does exist, I still don't believe in their power, or that they know what's best for us. Why do these terrible things happen, if StarClan is on our side? […] I'm not sure they work like that. They warn us about what will happen, but it's our responsibility to act."
―Mothwing describing her disbelief in StarClan to Willowshine River of Fire, bonus scene, page 12
She gently teases Jayfeather about his age and grumpiness while on their way to the Moonpool and inquires Leafpool about Puddlepaw's expedited training. She tries to obtain lungwort for Puddleshine during ShadowClan's sickness, but Onestar denies her the ability to gather herbs if they will be used to assist ShadowClan. She and the rest of RiverClan stays in ThunderClan when Darktail and the Kin commandeer their territory. Mothwing and Alderheart venture to RiverClan's territory to gather some of her herb stocks, and Needletail allows them. She and Alderheart conspire with Violetpaw to free Darktail's prisoners. When RiverClan returns to their territory, Mistystar closes her borders and orders Mothwing and Willowshine to not attend the half-moon meetings. Mothwing is injured trying to save her herbs supply during a fire, and Hawkwing notes that she is a very brave she-cat.

The Broken Code

"I'm so sorry I was hard on you. I was grieving for my place in RiverClan and needed some cat to blame. And I suppose, in a way, you represented my worst fear-that living cats would go against their own instincts to follow dangerous instructions of some long-dead cat. But Ashfur could have used any cat. It wasn't your fault he chose you, and I shouldn't have acted like it was. If he'd chosen me, I might have been fooled too. But I don't think I would have been brave enough to follow him into the Dark Forest. Even when you were injured, you went back there to help defeat him once and for all. How could any cat be angry with you?"
―Mothwing apologizing to Shadowsight A Light in the Mist, pages 320-321
When the Moonpool freezes over and the medicine cats cannot communicate with StarClan, Mothwing reveals she acknowledges StarClan and has ever since the Great Battle, much to Jayfeather's ire. However, she does not believe StarClan is all-knowing and questions the legitimacy of their knowledge. She insists they can use other methods to help their Clans. Her position worries Jayfeather, who reveals her atheism during a Gathering so that her remarks will be moderated by her lack of belief. When Shadowpaw declares that Mothwing and Jayfeather are codebreakers, they become angry as all they have done is help their Clan. Trying to please StarClan and pressured by Bramblestar, Mistystar exiles Mothwing. She helps the rebels plot against Bramblestar's impostor; after Mistystar exiles Icewing and Harelight, she elects to stay in ShadowClan, outraged that the leader shows no gratitude towards the two warriors and that she unfairly exiled her on account of her heritage.
Now a medicine cat of ShadowClan, Mothwing comes to believe that Shadowsight needs more training due to his involvement in indirectly killing Bramblestar and allowing Ashfur to possess his body. If it is supported by both Tigerstar and Puddleshine, it upsets Shadowsight, who is then forced to take care of Ashfur and frequently comes at odds with the she-cat. After Willowshine is killed by Ashfur while trying to reach the Dark Forest, Mothwing blames herself for letting her former apprentice die. Despite this, she comes to agree with Shadowsight when he insists he is the cat who needs to travel the Dark Forest to find Squirrelflight, with both medicine cats finding common ground and respect for each other. After the impostor's defeat, Mothwing returns to RiverClan as the Clan's only medicine cat.

A Starless Clan

"I can't believe that I'll never speak to her again. We lost so much time while I stayed with ShadowClan. Maybe I was too proud."
―Mothwing grieving for her friend Mistystar River, page 93
Mothwing is now training Frostpaw, her new apprentice. While Mothwing can be sharp at times, Frostpaw knows that she is still grieving for her former apprentice Willowshine. Mistystar suddenly collapses in camp, and despite Mothwing and Frostpaw's best efforts, she dies, and Mothwing heavily grieves for her friend and Clan leader, knowing she will never speak to her again. After Frostpaw finds a star-shaped dock leaf in her nest, Mothwing agrees with her Clanmates that she and Frostpaw will temporary lead the Clan until Reedwhisker is found. However, after his death, Mothwing is initially skeptical of Frostpaw's interpretations that Curlfeather should be leader, but eventually accepts. After Curlfeather's death, Mothwing decides that RiverClan should break their silence and inform the other Clans of their situation.
In the second book, Mothwing decides to continue keeping RiverClan's situation secret. She instead asks Frostpaw to find another leader. In the meantime, Mothwing takes care of the patrols and most other clan business that the leader would manage. She accompanies Frostpaw to the Moonpool, and approves of her choice when she picks Owlnose. After StarClan does not give him nine lives, Mothwing convinces Owlnose to pretend so they can avoid clan interference. RiverClan is not good at lying though, and when it is revealed that the clan is unstable, Mothwing rejects Tigerstar's suggestion of occupying RiverClan until they find a true leader. She accepts Leafstar's suggestion of a SkyClan medicine cat temporarily residing in RiverClan to help out. Shortly after, Mothwing, Fidgetflake, Frostpaw, and Owlnose travel to the Moonpool, but Owlnose rejects leadership and walks away. When they arrive back, Tigerstar is waiting. Despite protests from all the cats, he does not back down, and a battle begins. After ShadowClan wins, Mothwing is ordered to bring herbs and heal her Clanmates.
More Coming Soon

Novellas

This section summarizes Mothwing's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

"We can't rely on our ancestors. We can only rely on one another."
―Mothwing's thoughts after the Dark Forest Mothwing's Secret, chapter 8
In Mothwing's Secret, after Hawkfrost fakes a sign from StarClan, Mothwing becomes Mudfur's medicine cat apprentice. Although she displays natural talent as a healer, Mothwing struggles to accept that StarClan is tangibly real. After her brother repeatedly abuses her position for his own personal gain, Mothwing vows to never lie for him again. During the Great Battle, she witnesses StarClan cats fight alongside the Clans, and Mudfur explains that StarClan does not make any mistakes. Mothwing realizes that while StarClan exists, they are not omniscient but vows to use her talent to save her Clanmates.
"I believe in the importance of learning from what has been discovered before. And in how precious health is, and how hard I must work to preserve it in all my Clanmates. The fact that the world of signs, omens, and dreams that have hidden meanings is closed to me doesn't feel like something is missing, Mistystar. I respect what you believe. You must respect what matters to me."
―Mothwing to Mistystar Mistystar's Omen, chapter 10
In Mistystar's Omen, despite Mothwing's treatments, Leopardstar succumbs to her illness. She encourages Mistyfoot that she is worthy to take the mantle of leadership, and the two friends travel to the Moonpool for Mistyfoot's nine lives. After the ceremony, Mistystar discovers in horror that Mothwing does not believe in StarClan. Mistystar questions Willowshine about her education, but Willowshine adamantly defends her mentor. Regardless, Mistystar demotes Mothwing to an elder. She refuses to have Mothwing treat Reedwhisker's critical injury. Stonefur sends Mistystar a moth, signifying StarClan's faith in Mothwing as a medicine cat. Mothwing treats Reedwhisker, and Mistystar recognizes and respects Mothwing's beliefs.

Tigerstar and Sasha

"Moth, keep going! You can make it, I know you can!"
―Tadpole encouraging Moth before he drowns Return to the Clans, page 48
Sasha gives birth to Tigerstar's kits out in the forest with the names of Hawk, Moth, and Tadpole. She is fearful of their father discovering their existence and forbids her kits to wander too far from their den. Her kits decide to look for Sasha's owner, Ken, but Tadpole drowns during a flood. Pine takes Sasha and her kits to a barn with other "friendly" queens, but are chased out.
Sasha realizes the safest place for her kits to grow up is in a Clan, so she takes them to RiverClan and tells them about their father. Hawk and Moth are accepted into the Clan and given apprentice names. Leopardstar tells them about the horrors Tigerstar committed to RiverClan, and Sasha makes her kits promise not to tell anyone the truth about their parentage. Recognizing she will never belong in a Clan, Sasha leaves her kits in RiverClan to grow up as warriors.

Detailed description

Mothwing is a triangular-faced,[26] thick,[27] sleek,[28] and long-furred,[26] dappled,[16] golden she-cat.[1] She has rippling tabby stripes,[26] huge,[29] amber eyes,[1] a broad head,[29] and a fluffy tail.[30]

Character pixels

Main images

Alternate images

Official art

Ceremonies


Personality and relationships

Mothwing is a compassionate and devoted medicine cat who does not trust StarClan's guidance nor blindly follow the warrior code. Though she was once close with her only surviving brother, Hawkfrost, their relationship becomes tormentous when their paths diverge. She also forms a lasting friendship with her fellow medicine cat Leafpool and former medicine cat apprentice Willowshine, two of the only cats she trusts with her secrets. For more of Mothwing's personality and relationships click here!

Family

Mothwing's parents are Sasha and Tigerstar and her brothers are Tadpole and Hawkfrost. Her half-brother is Brambleclaw and her half-sister is Tawnypelt. For more of Mothwing's family, click here!

Appearances


Merchandise

Hawkfrost and Mothwing

Hawkfrost and Mothwing

Hawkfrost & Mothwing - Mini Collector Figures

  • Series 4
  • Price: Approximate individual price is $12.99 USD, and the three-pack bundle is $38.97 USD
  • Release: 2022
  • Also included in a three-pack bundle with the rest of Series 4: Bluestar, Darkstripe, Crookedstar, and Mapleshade.

Trivia

Interesting facts

Author statements

Mistakes

Continuity

The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.

Quotes

External links

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Revealed in Midnight, allegiances
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 316
  3. 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Star, page 206
  4. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 68
  5. 5.0 5.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, pages 65-66
  6. 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 121
  7. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 288
  8. Revealed in Shadow, page 60
  9. 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Ivypool's Heart, page 45
  10. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 1
  11. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 3
  12. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 75
  13. Revealed in Midnight, page 48
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Revealed in River, page 127
  15. Revealed in Midnight, page 50
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Revealed in Starlight, allegiances
  17. Revealed in Graystripe's Vow, allegiances
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 6
  19. Revealed in Mothwing's Secret, chapter 1
  20. Revealed in Sunset, allegiances
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Revealed in River, allegiances
  22. Revealed in Thunder, page 334
  23. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 66
  24. Revealed in River, page 240
  25. Revealed in Sky, page 141
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 Revealed in Midnight, page 51
  27. Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 38
  28. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 78
  29. 29.0 29.1 Revealed in Midnight, page 257
  30. Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 3
  31. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 266
  32. Revealed in Return to the Clans, page 4
  33. Revealed in Sky, page 36
  34. Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 4
  35. Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 7
  36. Revealed in Moonrise, page 258
  37. Revealed in Dark River, pages 20-21
  38. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 2
  39. Revealed in Thunder Rising, page 305
  40. 40.0 40.1 Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 4
  41. Revealed on Vicky's Facebook (screenshot)
  42. Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, chapter 7
  43. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 78
  44. Revealed on the cover of Return to the Clans
  45. Revealed in Starlight, page 107
  46. Revealed in Twilight, page 100
  47. Revealed in Twilight, page 167
  48. Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 7
  49. Revealed in Mistystar's Omen, chapter 10
  50. Revealed in Sunset, page 166
  51. Revealed in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, page 148
  52. Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 120
  53. Revealed in Ivypool's Heart, allegiances
  54. Revealed in Star, allegiances
  55. Revealed in Wind, page 269
  56. Revealed in The Clans Decide

Author references