[5], Samuel Hibbert, an antiquarian of the early nineteenth century, considered the component nuck of the nuckelavee's name to be cognate with both the Nick in Old Nick, a name sometimes given to the Devil of Christian belief, and with the Latin necare, to kill. Orcadian folklore had a strong Scandinavian influence, and it may be that the nuckelavee is a composite of a water horse from Celtic mythology and a creature imported by the Norsemen. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lords daughter who fell in love with a peasant. Today, the leprechaun has also become a mascot for St. Patricks Day, as well as a favorite design in Irish souvenirs. so I would be terrified every night stayin up to make sure that she didn't call me. If nobody comes out the pooka will destroy their property. Of course, you can also catch a glimpse of these Lucky Charm mascots and [], Ireland Bucket List: 50+ Top Things To Do In Ireland For 2021 - Ireland Travel Guides, [] is a nationwide celebration where people usually dress up as Leprechauns. Irish and Celtic Gods and Monsters - Emerald Isle British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest" of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles.The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land . Babalon, Thelemic godform of lust, carnality and the liberated woman. Her name translates to red bloodsucker and, according to legend, shes a cunning vampire who seduces men and drains them of their blood. The Morrigan is the term given to Goddess Morrigan, one of the triple Goddesses in Celtic mythology. He even calls himself God's messenger on earth. Usually black, these mythic horses ride across the fields of Ireland at night, stampede over crops, fences, and peoples properties, they scare farm animals from producing milk or eggs for weeks, and they cause a lot of other mischief along the way. List of fire gods - Wikipedia In Celtic mythology, Balor is the name of the evil version of the god of death. Guess this is one demon you can check off your list of scary creatures to worry about! Scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth for Halloween - IrishCentral Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. Hi, Im Christine a full-time traveler and career woman. The ancient Celtic texts which give the most insight into their mythology and folklore are largely transcriptions of oral histories dating from the middle ages. The Pooka (or Puca) is one of several Irish mythological creatures that doesnt get half the attention that it deserves. Here are some of these Irish mythological creatures, and their origin stories that you may not have heard of. Often referred to as the Queen of Winter, Cailleach is one of the great Celtic mythological creatures. In Scottish folklore, she is said to be one with the immense ability to influence the weather. IrishCentral Staff. Researchers believe they originated from a branch of the great Celtic race, which passed through Europe, rounded the continent's shores, and finally, made Ireland their resting place. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. The Leanan sdhe was known to spark up relationships with humans. Her father frowned upon their relationship, however, and forced his daughter to marry a rich man instead. As with similar malevolent entities such as the kelpie, it possibly offered an explanation for incidents that islanders in ancient times could not otherwise understand. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of . This beast appears not only in the legends of King Arhtur, but also in Edmund Spensers epic tale The Faerie Queene, which in part, tackles the troubled relationship between England and Ireland in the 16th century. Now known as Dearg-due, the vampire rises once a year, using her beauty to lure men to their deaths. According to legend, this Irish folklore creature uses the spine of a human as a whip. Right Eye. Demons of the Ancient World - Sarah Woodbury She was buried near Strongbows Tree in Waterford, and one night, she rose from her grave to seek revenge on her father and husband, sucking their blood until they dropped dead. This is where youll find the faeries that you wouldnt want to run into a dark alley and the Irish vampire that you wouldnt want to run into anywhere! These Celtic monsters were restless spirits that were said to be neither welcome in hell or heaven, so they were left to roam the lands. If a woman hopped on, the monster would then run into the water, drowning its victim, and then would take her to its lair to eat her. The Celtic deities are known from a variety of sources such as written Celtic mythology, ancient places of worship, statues, engravings, religious objects, as well as place and personal names. ; Asmodeus, Demon of Lust from the Ars Goetia and Medieval Demonology. She is the Celtic goddess of battle, death, fate, strife, and fertility. These manuscripts include the Ulster Cycle, the Mythological Cycle, the Fenian Cycle, and the Cycle of the Kings. Make sure to see our guide to Celtic Gods and Goddesses, after! No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. Now, like many Irish mythological creatures, the form of Elln Trechend changes depending on the tale. Farewell Its been a while, but Beck and Kip are still in my heart and drifting in between short story drabbles in my free time. [14] Marwick also only mentions one head with a single red eye, and he borrows some of Tammas's characterisation by recording the creature's mouth as "like a whale's". The Celtiberians and Gallaecians were ancient Celtic peoples in Iberia. Registered individuals enjoy all the possibilities of Core Spirit. Her name literally translates as Red Bloodsucker and shes said to lure men by seducing them in the night before biting them and sucking away their blood. For these reasons, the cat was often believed to be a spy for evil beings lurking outside the home. A general term for most fairy folk, the Daoine Maithe are usually human-like, have supernatural abilities, and are usually good and kind-hearted. ; Branwen, Welsh goddess of love and beauty; Cliodhna, Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty. The creature is scared of the substance, so any lonely travelers would be wise to have some on him in case they have a run-in with this headless horror! [18], Malevolent creatures possibly served to provide explanations for incidents that islanders were otherwise unable to account for; many ancient myths were based upon the natural elements of the turbulent and ever changing sea around Orkney. British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest"[1] of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning "red blood sucker," is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. The beasts constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs. As fallen angels, their sins were not great enough to warrant a lifetime in hell so they were sent to earth as fairies instead. They are not exactly demons, they are more like dead sinners that come back from the grave and roam the kind of the living as malicious spirits. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually, it appears in the form of a horse. In old Irish folk tales, Glas Gaibhnenn was a magical cow with green spots that could produce endless supplies of milk for its owners. These Celtic monsters were restless spirits that were said to be neither welcome in hell or heaven, so they were left to roam the lands. Below, Ive popped in the most FAQs that weve received. The Leanan Sidhe appear to these hapless souls, offer inspiration by asking them to be her lover. She would make the artist her lover, sharing with them her intelligence, creativity and magic, but when she left, the men would be so depressed, theyd die. The Clurichaun is a strange one. The Leprechaun is arguably the best known of the many Celtic creatures mainly due to its association with Ireland and the quirky tale attached to it. According to Irish folklore, Sluagh are dead sinners that come back as malicious spirits. The druids, the early Celtic priesthood, taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. When I was a kid I saw a grey head with pointed wooden spikes all over it looking over a falling tree it was human form head ,,it was like pinhead from hellraiser but grey like wood ,,can anyone help me name it ,,was over 45 years ago and I still remember it as if yesterday. By Mythopedia Staff Last updated on Dec. 1st, 2021 Celtic Pantheon Arawn Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. The Pooka, The Leprechaun, The Fairy Queen and Glas Gaibhnenn. Although similar to the boogeyman in appearance, the Bodach is one of a number of Celtic mythological creatures who, according to legend, was completely harmless. Celtic mythology - the top gods and goddesses - IrishCentral According to some myths they are witches, according to others these female beings are ghosts. In section two, we tackle the less harmful Celtic creatures. If ever youll be walking or driving at night in Ireland, better wear something gold so the Dullahan wont throw blood at you or call your name. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risk falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe! Share your favorite stories with other history buffs in the IrishCentral History Facebook group. I think the one I be most terrified in was The Dearg Due because I had been livin in that same village. They take to the waters, jumps high then submerges, bringing the traveler along with them to drown. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water! The faeries are a huge part of Irish folklore and are split into two categories. Top 10 Celtic Monsters! - Celtic Life International If a human finds and hides these items, the merrow must agree to be his wife. Irish tales tell many tales of these creatures who were one of the earliest races to settle in Ireland, along with the mighty Tuatha D Danann. These replacement babies are said to cry all day and all night, to grow into ugly and deformed people, and to cause bad luck to the adopted family. Often portrayed in contemporary fantasy fiction and video games, this foreteller of death is the Irish version of the headless horseman. Celtic mythology is so rich that even though we have access to just a fraction that has survived through the ages, that fraction still contains dozens of different unique and fantastic myths and mythological creatures. They can also speak the human tongue and use that skill to lure travelers or farmers in the night. Just like vampires, the Abhartach walked the land at night, killing folks and drinking their blood. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. It is uncertain why Jo Ben compiled the manuscript. She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. [2] Variant spellings, or readings, of the name Esus in the manuscripts of Lucan include Hesus, Aesus, and Haesus. The first of our Celtic mythology creatures is the mighty Abcn. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Leanan Sidhe would then take her dead lovers back to her lair. The word Merrow is from the Irish words Muir, meaning sea and Oigh, the maid. My program Nelum: The First Step Toward Wellness will re-launch on September 6! The evil fire-spitter drowned in the ocean, leaving a swell behind that created the famous Hawks Well. Some Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut at all times to keep the Sluagh out of their homes. One of the most recognizable Celtic creatures, having made a guest appearance in Darby OGill and the Little People and all, the Banshee is a female spirit whose wail, if heard outside of a house, foretells the death of one of its inhabitants. Curious how these Celtic creatures compare to Greek, Norse or Japanese mythological creatures? Deities of the Celtic peoples, ruling over both human actions and the natural world. Learn more about our mission. The final section of our guide to Irish mythological creatures is a bit of a mixed bag. We have created separate sub-sections for Irish Mythology, Welsh Mythology, Mythology of the Gauls and the Mythology of the Ancient Britons. The Irish symbol of luck, leprechauns are probably the most famous Celtic mythological creature. The Questing Beast, known to be quick, was hunted down by many a knight, and in Celtic myth was chased by King Pellinore, an Arthurian character. However, not long after falling in love with Leanan sdhe, its lovers passed away. The Dullahan can also foreshadow deaths. According to legend, if you want to silence an Abhartach forever, one must find his crypt. This beast appears not only in the legends of King Arthur but also in Edmund Spensers epic tale The Faerie Queene, which in part, tackles the troubled relationship between England and Ireland in the 16th century. More often than not they would try to invade peoples homes and attack older, dying people as they were an easier score. A graphic description of the nuckelavee as it appears on land was given by an islander who claimed to have had a confrontation with it, but accounts describing the details of the creature's appearance are inconsistent. Marrow-men are horribly ugly male sea-creatures, while the females or the Merrows are absolutely beautiful. If a human emerges, he will be dragged outside and killed. The saint is said to have stood on the mountain now known as Croagh Patrick and expelled all the serpents and demons out of the Emerald Isle into the sea to drown. The Leanan Sidhe is another Irish folklore creature that resembles a vampire. Most Popular Superstitions, 5 Popular Halloween Symbols, Origins, and Traditions, 15 Powerful Symbols of Hope and What They Stand For. The Clurichaun takes on the appearance of an old man thats too fond of alcohol and that likes to play tricks on people. There are quite a few Irish clans that even today claim to be descendants from merrows who came to the land centuries ago. A female spirit from Irish mythology, the Banshee can appear in many forms. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. The Morrigan - Phantom Queen in Irish Mythology | Mythology.net The Abhartach should then be bound and buried upside down when pierced with a sword of yew. Often portrayed in contemporary fantasy fiction and video games, this foreteller of death is the Irish version of the headless horseman. An omen of death, just like the banshee, the Dullahan is the Irish headless horseman. The Gancanagh is another strange one, and arguably falls into the Celtic monsters category, thanks to how his victims end up. Sounds a little bit like the story of Tir Na Nog, right?! Said to be the scariest type of fairy in Irish folklore, the Pooka are primarily creatures of the night. There, she would drain their blood and use it to fuel her own immortality. Whatever the case, a merrow can choose to abandon his or her magical clothes and live on land with humans. Ireland Travel Guides aims to help travelers to find their way for the first time in Ireland. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. These small faeries usually wear red caps and coats and, similar to the Clurichaun, love to play practical jokes on humans. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. 10. Commonly known in Irish folklore as the foreteller of death, the Dullahan is the Irish counterpart of the headless horseman. Dearg-due means red bloodsucker, and in Irish folklore, it refers to a female demon that seduces men and then sucks and drains them of their blood. These spirits come from the west, flying in groups like flocks of birds, and try to enter a house where someone is dying to take away that persons soul. This mischievous little fella is said to bring either good or bad fortune and it can appear in various animal forms, though he always wears a dark coat. Youve everything from scary Celtic monsters to more gentle, magical beings, below. This mythological creature in Irish folklore is the equivalent of a boogeyman. In the section below, youll find Celtic creatures that have graced many a battlefield and that are known to be skilled warriors. When he stops riding, a human dies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Morrigan in Irish/Celtic Mythology The Shapeshifting Goddess of War & Death. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye. The Bnnach - Demons. A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. All Rights Reserved. The Dearg Due is one of several Irish mythical creatures / Irish monsters whose characteristics resemble that of a vampire. He just keeps on riding, the horse keeps on running but when they stop a human dies. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. A post shared by Emlyn Boyle Artist (@emlyn_artist76) on Jan 24, 2018 at 1:50pm PST. The Dullahan rides a black horse with flaming eyes, while he carries his severed head under one arm. The fiercest and the largest bull in Irish mythology, Donn Cailnge used to roam the vast forests of the Cooley Peninsula. List of love and lust deities - Wikipedia The beasts constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs. The Gods told us to do it. Privacy Policy. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. Not to be confused with a mermaid or merman, a merrow is an intriguing creature from Irish folklores that are said to live underwater. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. You cant talk about Irish mythological creatures without mentioning the fairies. The Sluagh - Celtic monster. Hmm. Banshee - the Irish wailing ghost Liscorn37 These fine fellows, ancient Irish monsters and demons, have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. Legendary Creatures Of Celtic Mythology - A List - Symbol Sage He collects gold and hides them in a pot at the end of the rainbow. Celtic mythology is full of unique creatures, many of which have influenced modern day pop culture and are still mentioned in books, movies, video games and songs. Like all fairies, these dogs are more spectral hounds than demonic. The Celts were doing alright until Christianity came along. Dont worry if you dont know exactly what kind of reading you need. The Gauls inhabited the region corresponding to modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, Luxembourg and northern Italy. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In Christian demonology, he is a Marquis of Hell and rules 40 infernal legions. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. According to legend, if a human did something to offend them, they wouldnt hesitate in seeking painful revenge. Our next creature, the Dullahan, is a faerie that youd struggle to describe as happy, as it takes the form of a headless rider on a black horse. If he calls out your name, you will immediately drop dead. She represented the circle of life and was associated with both birth and death. [c] According to Tammas, the nuckelavee has a man's torso attached to a horse's back as if it were a rider. The Reading: Connect with your Spirit Guides, Akashic Records, Higher-Self, etc. Some versions of this legend say that the Dullahan throws buckets of blood at people he passes, while others say he simply calls out the name of the mortal that will soon die. He used to own a cool bronze boat with a tin sail. 10. As the demon approached, he jumped out from his hiding spot and banished her from Ireland with a single word. However, all wasnt as it seemed. The sons were driven across the sea, while Carman was imprisoned and eventually died of grief. The nuckelavee (/ n k l v i /) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. They say these mythical water horses are often spotted in Scotland, but they are part of Irish folklore as well. Rather than directly suck the blood of her victims, Leanan Sidhe got creative, and collected their blood in a giant red cauldron, which was the source of her beauty and artistic inspiration. [3] Traill Dennison only describes a man's head with a "mouth projected like that of a pig". Instead, they are the children of fairies, such as the Far Darrig or often even adult fairies that look like babies. Despite their name, the changelings are not actual shapeshifters. Rebeccas armature of Abhartach #initialproject #modelmaking #sculpy #abhartach #vampire #armature #irish #folklore #sculpture, A post shared by Model Makers (@4thyearmodelmakers) on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:12am PST. According to the Celtic legend, an Irish woman who was known throughout the country for her beauty, fell in love with a local peasant, which was unacceptable to her father. The origin of this creature is told in the Celtic legend about a woman who was known all over Ireland for her beauty. While they may have been the major Celtic gods and goddesses, that does not cancel out the importance of other deities of Irish mythology, like Bres or Medb, or Epona. The Gancanagh was known to seduce both men and women with what were said to be addictive toxins that emitted a powerful, alluring scent. http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tools/dictionary.php?regexp=RHEA&method=standard, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Celtic_deities&oldid=1139194287, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Adsagsona - Gallic goddess of magic named on the, Cissonia - a Gallic goddess of trade, companion of, Matronae Dervonnae - Gallic mother goddesses in, Matronae Vediantiae (Deae Vediantiae) - Gallic mother goddesses in, Seixomniai Leuciticai - a Celtic goddess, equated with, Bergimus - a mountain god of Cisalpine Gaul, Brasennus - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul, Cuslanus - a god in Cisalpine Gaul associated with, Deus Ducavavius - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul, Deus Orevaius - a god known from a lone inscription at, Paronnus - a god known from a lone inscription at, Besencl (Besenclae) - a community and house protector, Erbina - a goddess of wild animals, hunting, and domestic security, Laneana (Laneanis) - a goddess of springs and floods, Reva (Reua) - personification of water flows, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 21:59. After Celtic lands became Christianised, there were attempts by Christian writers to euhemerize or even demonize most of the pre-Christian deities, while a few others became Saints in the church. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. The other story says that fairies are from the magical being called Tuatha D Danann. Fairies are easily the best known of the many Irish folklore creatures, and theyre presences has been seen in everything from Disney movies to video games.