Katra (Star Trek)

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For the place in India, see Katra

In the fictional Star Trek universe, katra is the immortal, living spirit of a Vulcan. When a Vulcan is close to death, he or she will typically transfer their katra into the mind of an associate or close friend, who is then expected to convey the katra to the homeworld. In the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Mr. Spock, transfers his katra into Dr. Leonard McCoy immediately before he undertakes a task which he (correctly) anticipates will result in his death; however, McCoy does not bring Spock's katra to Vulcan, but later returns it to Spock's reconstituted physical body.

Surak, the greatest Vulcan philosopher who ever lived, survived after his death when his katra was recovered by Syrranites in the mid 22nd century. Surak's katra briefly resided in the mind of Captain Jonathan Archer but was subsequently transferred to the care of a Vulcan priest.

Some Vulcans do not fully accept the concept of the Katra. Tuvok was among them. (Innocence)

[edit] Media references

The katra was referenced in episode 135 of Seinfeld, "The Foundation".

In the "Who Are You?" episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the mystical device used to transfer one's essence into another body is referred to by Willow Rosenberg as a katra, possibly in reference to Star Trek.