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Elcmar
In Irish mythology, Elcmar or Ecmar (modern spelling: Ealcmhar) is the husband of Boann and belongs to the divine Tuatha Dé Danann. It has been suggested that he is Nuada under another name, and he is sometimes confused with Nechtan, Boann's usual husband. At first glance he appears to be associated with horses but there is also a school of thought that says his name means The Evil One. In the Dindsenchas, he is called "lord of horses" and is described as a judge. Elcmar is described as having a fork of white hazel, a gold brooch, and a cloak. Chief steward According to the Yellow Book of Lecan, Elcmar served as chief steward for Dagda, one of the most important and powerful of the Danann. His wife was Boann, goddess of the River Boyne, who developed a great passion for the Dagda. To consummate this union, Dagda sent Elcmar to High King Bres on an errand around the time of Imbolc. Boann, like her Greek counterpart Alcmene, got pregnant. To protect the sensibilities of his ste ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aengus
In Irish mythology, Aengus or Óengus is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann and probably originally a god associated with youth, love,Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí. ''Myth, Legend & Romance: An encyclopedia of the Irish folk tradition''. Prentice-Hall Press, 1991. pp.38–40 summer and poetic inspiration. The son of The Dagda and Boann, Aengus is also known as Macan Óc ("the young boy" or "young son"), and corresponds to the Welsh mythical figure Mabon and the Celtic god Maponos. He plays a central role in five Irish myths. Name In Old Irish his name is ''Óengus'' or ''Oíngus'' , a name attested in Adomnán's ''Life of St Columba'' as ''Oinogus(s)ius''. This is believed to come from a Proto-Celtic name meaning "true vigour". The medieval ''Dindsenchas'' derives it from "one desire", explaining that Boann gave him the name because her union with the Dagda had been her only desire. In Middle Irish this became ''Áengus'', and in Modern Irish ''Aonghus'' , . He is also known as ''Óengus ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dagda
The Dagda (Old Irish: ''In Dagda,'' ga, An Daghdha, ) is an important god in Irish mythology. One of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Dagda is portrayed as a father-figure, king, and druid.Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO, 2006. pp. 553–54 An Dagda Mary Jones's Celtic Encyclopedia. He is associated with , , manliness and strength, as well as magic, druidry and wisdom.Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí. ''Myth, Legend & Romance: An encyclopaedia of the Irish folk t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Boann
Boann or Boand (modern Irish spelling: Bónn) is the Irish goddess of the River Boyne (the river-name now always in the nominalised dative/prepositional case, Bóinn), a river in Ireland's historical fifth province, Meath (from Middle Irish ''An Mide'' "the Middle"), which was later subsumed into the modern province of Leinster. According to the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' and ''Táin Bó Fraích'' she was the sister of Befind and daughter of Delbáeth, son of Elada, of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Her husband is variously Nechtan or Elcmar. With her lover the Dagda, she is the mother of Aengus. Etymology Her name is interpreted as "white cow" ( ga, bó fhionn; sga, bó find) in the ''dinsenchas'', where she is also called "White Boand". Ptolemy's 2nd century ''Geography'' shows that in antiquity the river's name was ''Bouvinda'' ουουίνδα which may derive from Proto-Celtic ''*Bou-vindā'', "white cow". An alternate version of her name is given as Segais, hence Well of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Midir
In the Mythological Cycle of early Irish literature, Midir (Old Irish) or Midhir (Modern Irish) was a son of the Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann. After the Tuatha Dé were defeated by the Milesians, he lived in the sidh of Brí Léith (believed to be Ardagh Hill, Co. Longford). The name Midir may come from the old Irish word for a judge, midithir. Description In Tochmarc Étaíne, Midir appears on a brown steed wearing a green mantle and red embroidered tunic with a golden brooch reaching from shoulder to shoulder, a silver shield with a rim of gold on his back with a silver strip and gold boss. He has bright yellow hair, a five pronged spear, and a fillet of gold on his head. When Midir appears suddenly in the midst of Eochaid Airem's court, the remark is made, “He was fair at all times, but on that night he was fairer.” Elsewhere in Tochmarc Étaíne, the following description of Midir is provided: A purple tunic about him, and golden yellow hair on him to the edge of his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nemain
In Irish mythology, Neman or Nemain (modern spelling: Neamhan, Neamhain) is the spirit-woman or goddess who personifies the frenzied havoc of war. In the ancient texts where The Morrígan appears as a trio of goddesses — the three sisters who make up the ''Morrígna'' — one of these sisters is sometimes known as Nemain. Representation in literature In the grand Irish epic of the Tain Bo Cuailnge, Neman confounds armies, so that friendly bands fall in mutual slaughter. When the forces of Queen Medb arrive at Magh-Tregham, in the present county of Longford, on the way to Cuailnge, Nemain appears amongst them: “Then the Neman attacked them, and that was not the most comfortable night with them, from the uproar of the giant Dubtach through his sleep. The bands were immediately startled, and the army confounded, until Medb went to check the confusion.” Lebor na hUidhre, fol. 46, b1. And in another passage, in the episode called "Breslech Maighe Muirthemhne,” where a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Irish Mythology
Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by Christian scribes, who modified and Christianized them to some extent. This body of myths is the largest and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. The tales and themes continued to be developed over time, and the oral tradition continued in Irish folklore alongside the written tradition, but the main themes and characters remained largely consistent. The myths are conventionally grouped into ' cycles'. The Mythological Cycle consists of tales and poems about the god-like Túatha Dé Danann, who are based on Ireland's pagan deities, and other mythical races like the Fomorians. Important works in the cycle are the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' ("Book of Invasions"), a legendary history of Ireland, the ''Cath Maige Tuired'' ("Ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuath(a) Dé Danann (, meaning "the folk of the goddess Danu (Irish goddess), Danu"), also known by the earlier name Tuath Dé ("tribe of the gods"), are a supernatural race in Irish mythology. Many of them are thought to represent deity, deities of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland. The Tuath Dé are often depicted as kings, queens, druids, bards, warriors, heroes, healers and craftsmen who have supernatural powers. They dwell in the Celtic Otherworld, Otherworld but interact with humans and the human world. They are associated with the ''sídhe'': prominent ancient burial mounds such as Brú na Bóinne, which are entrances to Otherworld realms. Their traditional rivals are the Fomorians (Fomoire), who might represent the destructive powers of nature, and whom the Tuath Dé defeat in the Cath Maige Tuired, Battle of Mag Tuired. Prominent members of the Tuath Dé include The Dagda ("the great god"); The Morrígan ("the great queen" or "phantom queen"); Lugh; Nuada Airgetlám, N ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nechtan (mythology)
Nechtan is a figure in Irish mythology who is associated with a spring marking the source of the River Boyne, known as Nechtan's Well or the Well of Wisdom. He was the husband of Boann, eponymous goddess of the Boyne. Nechtan is believed to be another name for Nuada. Etymology According to Georges Dumézil the name ''Nechtan'' is perhaps cognate with that of the Romano-British god Nodens or the Roman god called Neptunus and the Persian and Vedic gods sharing the name Apam Napat. The name could ultimately be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root ''*nepot-'' "descendant, sister's son", or, alternatively, from ''nebh-'' "damp, wet". Another etymology suggests that ''Nechtan'' is derived from Old-Irish ''necht'' "clean, pure and white", with a root ''-neg'' "to wash", from IE ''neigu̯-'' "to wash" As such, the name would be closely related mythological beings, who were dwelling near wells and springs: English neck (from Anglosaxon ''nicor''), Swedish ''Näck'', German ''Nixe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yellow Book Of Lecan
The Yellow Book of Lecan (YBL; Irish: ''Leabhar Buidhe Leacáin''), or TCD MS 1318 (''olim'' H 2.16), is a late medieval Irish manuscript. It contains much of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, besides other material. It is held in the Library of Trinity College Dublin. Overview The manuscript is written on vellum and contains 344 columns of text. The first 289 were written by 1391; the remainder were written by 1401. It is written in Middle Irish. Lecan was the site of the Mac Fhirbhisigh school of poetry in the territory of Tír Fhíacrach Múaidhe, now ''Lackan'' in Kilglass parish, County Sligo (). The manuscript is currently housed at Trinity College Dublin. It should not be confused with the ''Great Book of Lecan''. The book contains nearly the whole of the Ulster Cycle, including a partial version of the ''Táin Bó Cúailnge'' which is a compilation of two or more earlier versions, indicated by the number of duplicated episodes and references to other versions in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bres
In Irish mythology, Bres (or Bress) was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is often referred to by the name Eochaid / Eochu Bres. He was an unpopular king, and favoured his Fomorian kin. Name ''Eochu Bres'' has been translated as "beautiful horseman." The scribes who wrote down the text of the Cath Maige Tuired record ''Bres'' as meaning 'beautiful', however, this may be a false etymology. The original meaning of ''Bres'' may have derived from a root meaning "fight," "blow," "effort," "uproar," or "din." Description In the ''Lebor Gabála'' and ''Cath Maige Tuired'', Bres is portrayed as beautiful to behold, yet harsh and inhospitable. However, the poem ''Carn Hui Neit'' from the ''dindsenchas'' praises Bres' "kindly" and "noble" character and calls him the "flower" of the Tuatha Dé Danann. There, the following flattering descriptions are provided for Bres: * gifted with excellences * master of love-spells * kindly friend * noble and fortunate * ornament of the host * with a v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alcmene
In Greek mythology, Alcmene () or Alcmena (; Ancient Greek: Ἀλκμήνη or Doric Greek: Ἀλκμάνα, Latin: Alcumena means "strong in wrath") was the wife of Amphitryon by whom she bore two children, Iphicles and Laonome. She is best known as the mother of Heracles, whose father was the god Zeus. Alcmene was also referred to as Electryone (Ἠλεκτρυώνη), a patronymic name as a daughter of Electryon. Mythology Background According to the '' Bibliotheca'', Alcmene was born to Electryon, the son of Perseus and Andromeda, and king of Tiryns and Mycenae or Medea in Argolis. Her mother was Anaxo, daughter of Alcaeus and Astydamia.Apollodorus2.4.5/ref> Other accounts say her mother was Lysidice, the daughter of Pelops and Hippodameia,Plutarch, ''Lives'' Theseu7.1/ref> or Eurydice, the daughter of Pelops. According to Pausanias, the poet Asius made Alcmene the daughter of Amphiaraus and Eriphyle. Hesiod describes Alcmene as the tallest, most beautiful woman with wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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