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Celtic tribes span many lands - primarily Wales, Ireland, and Scotland – and though
the beliefs may have altered slightly from one region to the next, they all looked up
to a group of supreme deities.
We’ve taken the liberty of hand-picking the most notable of these beings, ten gods
and goddesses of Celtic mythology.
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10.
Aine Daughter of Eogabail, Aine ruled as the Goddess
of Fertility and oversaw the agricultural fruitfulness of Ireland.
King of Munster, Ailill Aulom, was said to have raped Aine but not without losing an
ear to the goddess and being rendered unfit to rule.
Aine embodies sovereignty and possesses the power to dictate an individual’s ability
to rule.
In certain legends, the Midsummer Night feast was held in her honor.
To the people of County Limerick, her role changed from Goddess of Fertility to Queen
of the Fairies. 9.
Medb The Celtic Mother Goddess of War and Fertility,
Medb, enjoyed a rowdy crowd, preferring to have her intended suitors fight to the death
for the prize of the crown and rule over Connacht.
She favored sex and alcohol, the latter being quite obvious as her name roughly translates
to “intoxication.”
Medb enjoyed a lengthy and fruitful rule before Christianity started to filter into the region
and the introduction of the Queen of the Fairies, Mab.
Medb was once married to King Conchobar of Ulster, but the two eventually became deadly
enemies.
8.
Babd Catha Though Babd Catha serves as the Celtic Goddess
of War, she also symbolizes enlightenment, wisdom, life, and inspiration.
As her name literally translates to “battle crow,” she’s been depicted as a crow and
is known for her desire to cause fear and confusion among armies to change the flow
of battle.
Some legends even claim she’ll visit before a battle as a foreshadowing of the devastation
to follow or the death of a specific notable individual.
Babd Catha makes up one-third of the Morrigna, or trio of war goddesses that includes Nemain
and a goddess you will hear from later, Morrigan. 7.
Bran Not quite the most impressive name, but Bran,
the “crowned king over the island” was known for his impressive stature, which forced
him to live in a tent.
What he’s best known for is the legend surrounding his head, which was severed from his body
after being mortally wounded in battle.
Ancient Celts believed the head possessed unimaginable powers of prophecy and served
as a symbol of fertility.
When not revered as an implement of power, the head was a source of entertainment for
inhabitants of the “otherworld.” 6.
Lugh Named the “shining one” for his connection
with the Sun, this Celtic deity was said to be handsome, youthful, and sported a vitality
that rivaled that of the older gods.
The lore of Lugh generally revolves around the many skills and abilities he had, which,
according to The Battle of Magh Tuiredh, a literary work featuring Lugh’s travels,
he claimed himself to be a wright, smith, champion, hero, harper, poet, sorcerer, craftsman,
and historian.
Son of Cian and Ethlinn, Lugh took over as leader of the Tuatha de Danann, or a group
of mythological Irishmen, after the death of the god Nuada in the Second Battle of Magh
Tuiredh. 5.
Arawn Ruler of the otherworld realm of Annwn, Arawn
appears predominantly in the story First Branch of the Mabinogi and was intertwined with the
tale of Pwyll Pen Annwn, the lord of Dyfed.
After charging Pwyll to take his place for a year to defeat his rival, Hafgan, Arawn
takes Pwyll’s place in Dyfed.
The two grow to become friends even after Pwyll’s death, leading to a pact between
Arawn and Pryderi, Pwyll’s son.
The God of the Otherworld bestowed mystic pigs on Pryderi, which magician Gwydion fab
Don tricks into trading, resulting in Pryderi’s invasion of Gwynedd and the former’s death
in combat.
4.
Brigid This Goddess of Fire, Poetry, Healing, Childbirth,
and Unity is a celebrated deity all throughout Europe.
Some recognize her as the Saint of Brigid, a powerful figure within Irish lore.
Brigid is said to have been born as daughter of Dagda at daybreak, rising into the sky
with the Sun.
Bestowed with the energy of the Sun, the goddess leaves a trail of flowers and shamrocks wherever
she walks and gifts the world with knowledge, inspiration, and vitality.
Brigid is celebrated at the start of February in a feast known as Imbolc.
3.
Danu The history behind Danu, the earth-mother
goddess and principal goddess of many mythologies across Europe, can be a little muddied, but
there is little arguing, especially for the Celts, about her importance.
Thought to be a Goddess of Wisdom, Fertility, and the Wind, Danu was believed to have nursed
the other gods and became the ruler of the Tuatha de Danann, or People of the Goddess
Danu and Irish company of gods.
Some even believe that she’s not just one goddess, but a representation of all mother
goddesses across European cultures.
2.
Morrigan The Goddess of War and Death, a shape-changing
former member of the Tuatha de Danann, Morrigan wasn’t a force many sought conflict with,
for those that did were met with an unstoppable force that relied on unimaginable fear rather
than the killing of their foes.
That’s not to say Morrigan doesn’t have blood on her hands, especially as she’s
believed to be responsible for the death of Irish Hero Cuchulainn, whom she insisted avoid
war with her.
Morrigan is often confused with her sisters, Badb and Nemain, who are also known for their
connection to war.
1.
Dagda Eochaid the All-Father, Red One of Great Wisdom,
the Good God – regardless of what you may know him as, Dagda was a revered deity of
Celtic mythology and served as a leader of the Tuatha de Danann.
Of the powers that Dagda was said to possess, he had fruit trees that never went barren,
a cauldron that was always full, and two pigs so that one would always be alive while the
other was roasting.
With his club, he could either kill or save a man’s life and his harp had the ability
to change the seasons as he saw fit.
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