Ernmas

Ernmas is a member of Tuatha de Danaan, usually depicted as a woman in a simple tunic who will make the ground shoot sprout where she walks, she represents fertility, motherly love and life-cycle.

Summary

Ernmas is commonly portrayed as a woman wearing a simple brown or green tunic, made of cotton or wool. Her eyes are hazel and hair is copper red, braided in elaborate hairstyles, skin is pale but cheeks are rosy. Ernmas is gods' midwife, furthermore she has medical skills only second to the ones of her husband Dian Cecht. Usually she's depicted unarmed, as her task is the protection of life and not its termination, although if involved in a close-quarters combat Ernmas will use a gnarled quarterstaff with buds and leaves or a bone sickle. Her sacred emblem is a germinating acorn.

Historical Basis

Ernmas is physically inspired by the historical person of Gunda, the midwife

Spread

The deity of Ernmas is worshipped and respected in every human settlement in Phaldorya. Pregnant women call upon her in prayers to grant health to their children, women who desire to become mothers invoke her to grant them fertility and health. The cult of the Gods' midwife is particularly strong in the deprived areas, where living conditions are harsh.

Cultural Reception

Ernmas is the object of a stronger veneration in those settlement where life conditions during childhood are particularly harsh. Midwives are especially devoted to her and rely on her guidance to take the right decisions when assisting giving birth women. Inside her clergy many accolites, women and men, work in their villages as midwives and healers, specially focused on newborn and children.

by Luca Poddighe on artbreeder