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{{ambig|subject=Tau caste system|disambiguation=Fire Caste}}
{{TauPortal}}
[[Image:Tau Castes.png|thumb|right|300px|[[T'au]] from each of the castes. Left to right: [[Fire Caste]], [[Earth Caste]], [[Ethereal]] Caste, [[Water Caste]], and [[Air Caste]]{{Fn|17}}]]
The [[T'au]] '''caste system''' is a system of social division that divides all T'au into five distinct groups.{{Fn|2}}
Each caste is named after an element of nature, symbolising the purpose and temperament of the caste's members. A T'au's caste is determined at birth and inherited by one's parents. Inter-breeding is forbidden by the [[Ethereal]]s. For a T'au to choose another caste for himself seems to be impossible, and held contrary to the notions of the [[Greater Good]]. The castes are based upon the racial and political divisions that separated the Tau on their [[homeworld]] of [[T'au (Planet)|T'au]] during the time of the [[Mont'au]]. The Castes were first formally established after the Ethereals brokered peace between warring T'au factions at [[Fio'taun]]. Emphasizing the need for the Greater Good, the Ethereals decreed that the T'au would be formalized into castes, each known by the element that most befitted its role in the new T'au society.{{Fn|6a}}
Overstepping ones lot in their Caste and undertaking actions relegated to another is one of the most grievous crimes in Tau society. For instance, an [[Earth Caste]] engineer is usually forbidden from using [[Fire Caste]]-issued weapons in a pitched battle without special permission from the [[Ethereal]]s. Violation of this mandate law commonly results in the accused being sent to a reeducation facility[[Re-education Facility]].{{Fn|15}}
{|align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|align=center|King
|align=center|Holy Ones
|align=center|Highest of the Holy
|}
*{{main|Ethereal}}
[[Image:Ethereal Caste.jpg|thumb|right|60px|Ethereal Caste Symbol{{Fn|6a}}]]
The [[Ethereal]]s serve as "philosopher kings", and guide the other castes, as well as alien member-races of the T'au empire, towards the enlightenment of the ''[[Tau'va]]'', the [[Greater Good]]. They serve as the undisputed rulers of the T'au Empire. Their unique role is a combination of spiritual and political duties, and their declarations shape and steer every action of the Empire. Were an Ethereal to order a T'au to kill himself, he would be met with instant obedience.{{Fn|6a}} Ethereals themselves rule from the [[Ethereal Council]], with the [[Ethereal Supreme]] being the highest ranked of the Caste. They are in turn protected by the [[Ethereal Guard]].{{Cite thisFn|16}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Fire Warrior (Novel)]], pg. 120{{Cite ThisCME}}, pg. 120
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Specialist Games Catalogue]], pg. 101
*{{Endn|3}}: http://web.archive.org/web/20130118035448/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Tau/TAU-ACCESSORIES/TAU-AIR-CASTE-PILOTS.html ''(saved archive page, dated Jan 2013, last accessed 9 August 2015)''
*{{Endn|14}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/03/11/trailer-breakdown-the-best-moments-from-the-exodite-reveal/ Warhammer Community: Trailer Breakdown – The Best Moments From The Exodite Reveal (Posted on 11/03/2021)] (Last accessed on 11 March, 2021)
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Elemental Council (Novel)]] - Chapter 4
*{{Endn|16}}: [[ Farsight: Blade of Truth (Novel)]] - Chapter 4
*{{Endn|17}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20250828182839/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StCXrBMl648 'Battlefleet Gothic: Armada - Tau Empire Trailer] ''(saved archive page, dated 28 August 2018, last accessed 29 October 2025, original link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StCXrBMl648)''
===Uncited===