The Morrigan
The Morrigan
Daughter of Ernmas of the second triad First triad of sisters: Eriu, Banba, Fodla - all their names mean Ireland -Goddess of sovereignty Second triad of sisters: Badb, Macha, the Morrigan (Anand) Wealthy springs of craftiness and sources of bitter fighting Sons: Glon, Glaim, and Coscar Worshiped Eriu - Badb Banba - Macha Fodla - Morrigan Dagda's Envious Queen shapeshifter can be a crow, a young woman or an old woman Name means either Great Queen or Specter/Phantom Queen, Nightmare Queen If warriors dreamed of her washing their clothes and armor before a battle they knew they would die. Cúchulainn was her mortal enemy because he didn't respect her and turned down her advances. It has also been suggested that she was closely linked to the fianna, and that these groups may have been in some way dedicated to her.[43] These were "bands of youthful warrior-hunters, living on the borders of civilized society and indulging in lawless activities for a time before inheriting property and taking their places as members of settled, landed communities."[44] If true, her worship may have resembled that of Perchta groups in Germanic areas.[45] There is a burnt mound site in County Tipperary known as Fulacht na Mór Ríoghna ("cooking pit of the Mórrígan"). The fulachtaí sites are found in wild areas, and are usually associated with outsiders such as the fianna, as well as with the hunting of deer. There may be a link with the three mythical hags who cook the meal of dogflesh that brings the hero Cúchulainn to his doom. The Dá Chích na Morrígna ("two breasts of the Mórrígan"), a pair of hills in County Meath, suggest to some a role as a tutelary goddess, comparable to Anu, who has her own hills, Dá Chích Anann ("the breasts of Anu") in County Kerry. Other goddesses known to have similar hills are Áine and Grian of County Limerick who, in addition to a tutelary function, also have solar attributes. Boa Island is named after Badhbh, sometimes spelled, Badb, the Celtic goddess of war. Badhbh sometimes took the form of a carrion crow, most notably on the shoulder of the warrior, Cúchulainn, after he died in battle.[2] At other times she is depicted as a wolf. She is one of a triad of Celtic war goddesses that included her sisters, Macha and Morrigan. They were born to a mother goddess, Ernmas, who is mentioned in Lebor Gabála Érenn and Cath Maige Tuired as one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Badb is said to have caused confusion among the enemy in battles, providing victories to her side. Battlefields were named, the land of the Badb, by the Celts in Ireland.
Children
Comments