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Mythology Bestiary - The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - Balor - Kelps - Leprechaun - Selkie - Leanan Sidhe - Banshee - Spriggan - Sl. 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. The Dullahan doesnt announce the impending death by screaming, like the banshee, but by riding into a town or village and holding his head up to observe the death as it happens. The Oilliphist used to inhabit the dark, murky waters of many lakes and rivers across Ireland and many Irish warriors ended up fighting these Celtic folklore creatures. Its like the Pooka, to an extent, in that it plays jokes on people, but thats where the similarities end. If ever you see a soaking wet horse during a hike, best to avoid them and keep walking. In Irish folklore, Bnnach are a supernatural race that were known to haunt battlefields. [5], The nuckelavee is the most malevolent of the demons in and around the Scottish islands, without any redeeming characteristics. Just like vampires, the Abhartach walked the land at night, killing folks and drinking their blood. Aos S translates to people of the mound. I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. 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. She stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach, but shes none the less terrifying, in our opinion. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In Scottish folklore, she is said to be one with the immense ability to influence the weather. Questing Beast the Celtic hybrid monster. It also went by the name of Joint-eater, Just-halver, Art-Luachra, Airc-Luachra, and Doichi-Luachair. In a nutshell, this is one of a number of Irish folklore creatures that closely resemble people that youll find in towns and villages across the world. But the strange thing about this pony is that its mane would always be dripping with water. Its here that youll find the likes of the Leprechaun and, my personal favourite, the mischievous shape-shifter known as the Pooka! Some Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut at all times to keep the Sluagh out of their homes. The product soda ash was an alkali mainly used to treat acidic soil,[5][14] although as time went on its commercial importance in soap and glass manufacture increased. The Pooka has the power of human speech and it loves to confuse and terrify people. Dont worry if you dont know exactly what kind of reading you need. The Pooka is a different but equally terrifying mythological horse. He used to own a cool bronze boat with a tin sail. Carman is the Celtic goddess of evil magic. They say that when a chicken or cow sees a Pooka, the animals become too traumatized that they cannot produce eggs or milk for weeks. The ancient Celts had hundreds of deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. A female spirit from Irish mythology, the Banshee can appear in many forms. He was invincible and could destroy any wild beast that he crossed paths with. Some regions say its a red-feathered cap that gives them their water magic, while others claim that its a sealskin cape. Some Irish mythology creatures, like the Pooka, have a nice, fun tale tied to them while others, like the Abhartach, are nothing short of terrifying! They are wicked, violent tricksters who are different forms depending on which part of Ireland youre hearing a Pooka story from. The Gancanagh was known to seduce both men and women with what were said to be addictive toxins that emitted a powerful, alluring scent. Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. Some stories portray them as old hags and others depict them as young maidens or middle-aged women. As alluded to by Traill Dennison, to whom the story was told, Tammas's account bears a certain resemblance to the events in, "Jo Benn's 1529 Description of North Ronaldsay", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nuckelavee&oldid=1141494086, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 09:56. The evil fire-spitter drowned in the ocean, leaving a swell behind that created the famous Hawks Well. In essence, the Fear Gorta myth served to teach people to always be kind and generous, even to those who seem unappealing to them. These were a race of gigantic warriors who liked nothing better than to invade somewhere, pillage it and then gloat horribly. 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. The Gods told us to do it. [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. Origin: Celtic Role: Goddess Symbol: Crow Husband: Dadga, possibly Children: Possibly Adair Other Names: Morrigu, Morgane, Morrighan Who Is The Morrigan? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She represented the circle of life and was associated with both birth and death. [14] It was often found in the vicinity of a beach, but would never come ashore if it was raining. 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. Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. Balor- Celtic Demon King. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! The origin of this creature is told in the Celtic legend about a woman who was known all over Ireland for her beauty. 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. These creatures, especially the Merrows are amazing swimmers, and this ability is said to come from their clothing, which varies depending on which part of Ireland youre in. Watch it at Netflix ). The Dullahan rides a black horse with flaming eyes, while he carries his severed head under one arm. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually, it appears in the form of a horse. 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. [16] An islander, Tammas, claimed to have survived a confrontation with the beast and, after much cajoling from Dennison, reluctantly gave his description of the monster, the only known first-hand account. Instead, they are the children of fairies, such as the Far Darrig or often even adult fairies that look like babies. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com The only way to stop him was to kill him again, and to bury him vertically and upside down. In the section below, youll find Celtic creatures that have graced many a battlefield and that are known to be skilled warriors. The Fairy Hounds of Celtic Mythology The celts were known for their rich culture, and in their folklore, there is the presence of hellhounds in the form of fairy dogs. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! Last updated in October 2022. Little is known about the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul. The Kelpie myth is very common in Scotland but it also exists in Ireland. Descriptions of her appearance vary, from an ugly old hag to a beautiful young woman, but all agree that the creatures blood-curdling wail will be heard three times before someone dies. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. In Irish folklore, these elf-like creatures are tricksters who cannot be trusted and will deceive you whenever possible. The Clurichaun takes on the appearance of an old man thats too fond of alcohol and that likes to play tricks on people. The nuckelavee ( /nklvi/) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. Fomoire, also spelled Fomhoire, in Irish myth, a race of demonic beings who posed a threat to the inhabitants of Ireland until they were defeated by the god-race, the Tuatha D Danann. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. Another snake-like evil Celtic creature is the Questing Beast, a monster with the head of a snake, the body of a leopard, the backside of a lion and the hooves of a deer. Carman put a blight on Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish until the Tuatha De Danann, the peoples of the goddess Danu, used their magic to fight and defeat her, and drove her sons across the sea. Right: Olga Vasileva. The most important of the gods, Lugh (see Lugus), is the offspring of the marriage of a god, Cian, and the daughter of the monstrous Balor, and it is stated that originally the gods and the Fomoire were allies. It is believed that whoever listened to her play would die rather sooner than later. Not to worry, though there is one way to defeat Dearg-due. Hume realized that all. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. There was also a fairy cat that was known as the King of the Cats. Merrow - Sea fairy. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology. However, its not Dracula that were referring to, here. Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. 8. 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. Commonly known in Irish folklore as the foreteller of death, the Dullahan is the Irish counterpart of the headless horseman. The list of most terrifying beasts and spirits from Celtic mythology, just in time for Halloween. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. They go to houses where someone is about to die or dying to steal that persons soul. 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 faeries are a huge part of Irish folklore and are split into two categories. 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! Cat sth This mythological creature is seen mainly in Scottish folklore, although does make an appearance in Irish. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. 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. Morrigan is a demon in the series. Carman put a blight on Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish until the Tuatha De Danann, the peoples of the goddess Danu, used their magic to fight and defeat her, and drove her sons across the sea. They spoke the Brythonic languages. The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land despite being predominantly a sea-dweller. Years later, she rose from the grave and started wandering across Ireland, punishing men by taking their life force away. This culture was in its prime during the Iron age, but much of the mythology was lost due to the Roman Empires conquest over Europe and the various tribes of Celts that were spread across the continent. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. The Daoine Maithe are the fairy folk in Irish mythology. In Ireland, there are those who claim to be descendants of merrows who were caught by fishermen in their nets. 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. 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! According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. Leanan Sidhe would then take her dead lovers back to her lair. ; Esoteric. The pungent smoke emitted during the process was believed to enrage the nuckelavee,[5] resulting in a wild rampage of plague, the deaths of cattle and the destruction of crops. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. The Celtic gods and goddesses are a vast group of deities who were worshipped by the ancient Celtic tribes. The Morrigan in Irish/Celtic Mythology The Shapeshifting Goddess of War & Death. [5][24] The creature was also blamed for prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and poor harvests. The nuckelavee is kept in confinement during the summer months by the Mither o' the Sea, an ancient Orcadian spirit, and the only one able to control it. Check out those lists here: Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. The word Merrow is from the Irish words Muir, meaning sea and Oigh, the maid. She is one of the Tuatha D . This is one scary creature you dont have to worry about this Halloween unless you dress up as a knight. A look at some of the top Celtic mythology gods and goddesses, including Morrigan, Danu, Dagda, C Chulainn, Aonghus, Brigit, and Tuath D Danann. Her name literally translates as "Red Bloodsucker" and she's said to lure men by seducing them in the night before biting them and sucking away their blood. However, all wasnt as it seemed. The druids, the early Celtic priesthood, taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. 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. I think the one I be most terrified in was The Dearg Due because I had been livin in that same village. A post shared by Tami Wicinas (@twicinas) on Oct 10, 2019 at 11:59pm PDT. He denounces the demons who fathered him and lives his life as a good Christian hero. You must be wise in making these wishes though because he might trick you. If a human finds and hides these items, the merrow must agree to be his wife. She was then forced to marry a rich man. A particularly gruesome detail is that the nuckelavee has no skin;[19] black blood courses through yellow veins, and the pale sinews and powerful muscles are visible as a pulsating mass. A general term for most fairy folk, the Daoine Maithe are usually human-like, have supernatural abilities, and are usually good and kind-hearted. But he usually kept it closed to avoid tripping over dead . 10. They spoke Hispano-Celtic languages. [14] Seaweed burning to create what was known at the time as kelp began on Stronsay in 1722. A well-known section in Lucan 's Bellum civile (61-65 CE) refers to gory sacrifices offered to a triad of Celtic deities: Teutates, Hesus (an aspirated form of Esus), and Taranis. Once the person climbs on top of the horse, however, they get glued to the animal and the Kelpie delves deep into the water, drowning its victim. Such people would then usually take their own lives. 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. Once a traveler hops on, the horse takes them on the last ride of their life. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye. The Cailleach - the Celtic witch. Though theyre not so much demons, Sluagh are scary creatures that hunt down souls. Celtic mythology [ edit] Brigit, Irish goddess of fire, poetry, arts, and crafts Aed, Irish god whose name means "fire" Grannus, god of fire, health, water springs, and the sun Nantosuelta, goddess of fire, nature, fertility, rivers and the earth Etruscan mythology [ edit] Sethlans, fire god of smithing and crafts Greek mythology [ edit] They are fairies, usually resemble humans, and possess supernatural abilities. 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. A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. Those that fell victim to his seductive charm ended up passing away not long after. Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. The nuckelavee (/ n k l v i /) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. Demonic one-eyed God of Death and evil King of the Fomorians. Pca - the Irish Ghost. A famous Irish creature that some say teams up with the Dullahan is the Banshee. Have a cultural & historical look at ancient legends, myths and stories to explore facts bout gods & goddesses of African region are associated with creation, nature, beauty, love, death, war, and destruction. Some tales describe the Bodach as a Celtic creature that plays tricks on kids. If a human emerges, he will be dragged outside and killed. The eye became swollen and granted him the power of death. The Irish word fordemon is "deamhan" and it is certainly well used because Celtic mythology has always feared an array of evil forces, monsters, demons, and ghosts. In hindsight, maybe the Man-Wolves of Ossory should have been put with the Celtic monsters at the beginning. The first of our Celtic mythology creatures is the mighty Abcn. 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. Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples. The Celtic culture has always feared an array of evil forces. Portrayed as a little person but in green, the leprechaun sports a glorious orange beard and a big green hat, usually adorned with a four-leaf clover. 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. Pookas can also imitate human voices and they use it to call them out of their houses. Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. Ask away in the comments section. These scary spirits are said to come from the west, and they fly in groups. Elln Trechend was a true Celtic monster. Hmm. [4] The male torso has no legs, but its arms can reach the ground from its position on top of the equine body, the legs of which have fin like appendages. [15], The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and it was considered responsible for epidemics and drought. The Gancanagh is another strange one, and arguably falls into the Celtic monsters category, thanks to how his victims end up. 2. demon Fomoire, also spelled Fomhoire, in Irish myth, a race of demonic beings who posed a threat to the inhabitants of Ireland until they were defeated by the god-race, the Tuatha D Danann. Below, Ive popped in the most FAQs that weve received. [21][22] The nuckelavee was said to have infected horses on Stronsay with the deadly disease known as mortasheen,[d] to demonstrate its fury and exact its revenge against the islanders for burning seaweed; the infection subsequently spread to all the other islands involved in the industry. By Mythopedia Staff Last updated on Dec. 1st, 2021 Celtic Pantheon Arawn Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. Whatever the case, a merrow can choose to abandon his or her magical clothes and live on land with humans. Ancient mythology about african gods and godesses, Quantum Physicists Prove Gods Existence. 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 pair is said to whip the horses with a human spinal cord. [15], No tales describe what form the nuckelavee takes when in the sea,[4] but its appearance on land has been recounted in graphic detail. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning red bloodsucker, is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. Ladies, take note meet a guy with seaweed on his head on Halloween night, dont go home with him! The Leanan Sidhe is another Irish folklore creature that resembles a vampire. ; Asmodeus, Demon of Lust from the Ars Goetia and Medieval Demonology. Oct 28, 2022 . Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. Regardless of how she looks, its her wail that sends shivers up the spine of many, as it signals impending doom. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. Marrow-men are horribly ugly male sea-creatures, while the females or the Merrows are absolutely beautiful. In this guide, we tell the story of this Celtic mythological creature, and offer insight into where in Ireland it roamed (and where its now buried). 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. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. Photo by Shvaygert Ekaterina/shutterstock. The latest Core Spirit news, articles, and products, sent straight to your inbox. We have created separate sub-sections for Irish Mythology, Welsh Mythology, Mythology of the Gauls and the Mythology of the Ancient Britons. She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. Despite their name, the changelings are not actual shapeshifters. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. 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. Corrections? The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. The Celtic variant of mermaids, merrows have human feet instead of tails but their feet are flat and have webbed fingers to help them swim better. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. Interetingly enough, back in 2003 scientists conducted a number of scans using sonar technology to understand more about the lakes fish population. The Muckie was a mysterious Irish mythical creature thats said to inhabit the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland, earning it comparisons with Scotlands Lough Ness Monster. It could be a cap or a cape. Unlike leprechauns, who just chill in the woods near their pots of gold, the Far Darrig roam around with giant burlap sacks, looking to kidnap people. An omen of death, just like the banshee, the Dullahan is the Irish headless horseman. Sluaghs are heightening creatures that hunt down souls. 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. The merrow is said to be half fish (from the waist down) and half beautiful woman (from the waist up) and, according to legend, is friendly and modest. . Failinis was a dog who fought in many battles. The Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. Deities of the Celtic peoples, ruling over both human actions and the natural world. The demon slid down a mountain away from the saint, but Patrick spotted her and chased her down upon the fastest horse in Ireland, which was brought to him. This rich man treated her terribly and she eventually committed suicide. The Celts were doing alright until Christianity came along.