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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}}
|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]].{{CMEFn|16}}
==Sources==
*{{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===