Carbuncle Yokai

**Carbuncle Yokai** are creatures that has a red gem on their foreheads.

## Physical Appearance

Carbuncle has the appearance of a bird or any small mammal such as a fox. They have a small red gem on their foreheads. They usually wear a lid, hood, or curtain to cover the gem if necessary. Some Carbuncles can have an anthropomorphic form.

## Description

While descriptions of these creatures vary wildly, most agree that they are small animals with a mirror or gem set in their foreheads. These gems are generally described as red and glow like fire in the dark, but carbuncles have a lid, hood, or curtain they can use to cover their gems when necessary. They are usually quadrupeds, but have occasionally been observed with more legs. These Yokai are prominently founded in Paraguay, Argentina and Chile on the mountainous regions. Carbuncles are nocturnal, herbivorous animals. At night they come out of hiding to search for food and water, and they can be observed because of the bright glow from their gems. They normally appear as bright lights that change locations each night, but are easily distinguishable from bonfires made by humans. They are often, but not always, sighted in groups of two or more.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Carbuncle Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Enhanced Agility
* Enhanced Hearing
* Enhanced Leap
* Gemstone Generation
* Light Generation

### Variations

* Canine Physiology
* Feline Physiology
* Shell Formation

### Associations

* Crystal Manipulation
* Mythical Bestiary

## Pop Culture

Carbuncle rarely appear in entertainment platforms. Most people would heard Carbuncle in Final Fantasy. Cholan from Monster Musume is an anthropomorphic carbuncle. Carbink and Diancie from Pokemon are inspired by the carbuncle in terms of the gems. In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, there is a card called Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle which belongs to Jesse Anderson.

## Variations

### Canine Yokai

In some stories, carbuncles are described as being canine-like. Similar to a dog or a fox. They were a little larger than mice, shaped like an ear of corn, with two-part shells. A bluish-white light that can be seen from a league away shines from within the shell, but they can close up and conceal themselves to look like an ordinary rock.

### Feline Yokai

Another source describes one specimen as looking a lot like a weasel, with smooth, dark brown fur. It had a long head, large eyes, and a short tail that was a little less bushy than a squirrel's. Its gem was hidden by a hood of skin that had to be pulled back to see it. In yet another account the curtains they use to cover their gems have "beautiful plumage", implying that the animals are feathered. This description also mentions beautiful spots on their breasts.

## Life in the Hidden World

Carbuncles are considered to be pets to some Yokai. Which is why they would adopt one due to their benevolent nature. Humans have tried to capture these Yokai but they are difficult or even impossible to capture due to a variety of factors. Their fine hearing allows them to sense most dangers, and their small size, agility, and jumping prowess makes them quick to escape. When injured or threatened, they produce a bright flash from the gemstones in their foreheads, then obscure their gems entirely with the lid or curtain on their head. Any pursuers are blinded, then left in total darkness while the carbuncle flees. Which is why it's seemingly impossible to capture a Carbuncle Yokai in the wild. Their anthropomorphic counterparts often work as assistants to other Yokai species. Though they would only work with those with a kind heart.

## Symbolism

Carbuncle stones are among the precious stones enlisted in the Bible. Precious stones are those which are known for their color, brilliance, and rarity. This word is said to exist in four places in most English translations of the Bible. Each use comes into existence from the Vulgate’s Latin translation of the Septuagint’s Greek term Anthrax which means ‘coal’, addressing the color of burning coal. In this sense, a carbuncle is usually interpreted as a gem, particularly a deep red garnet, unfaceted, and curving or bulging outwards.

The word ‘Carbuncle’ is said to have originated from the Latin word carbunculus meaning small coal. Furthermore, it is sometimes used in the translation of the Hebrew word baw-reh-keth meaning glittering. It has been observed in the scriptures as one of the precious stones of the high priest’s breastplate. The presence of carbuncle as a precious stone in the Garden of Eden has also been found.