Mythology: Celtic

"Irish mythology is a body of stories, legends, folklore, and oral traditions developed by the people of pre-Christian Ireland. Irish mythology has its roots in the mythology of the Celts, a collection of tribal groups that spread across Europe more than two thousand years ago. While Celtic mythology was nearly wiped out after the mainland tribes in Europe and parts of Britain were conquered by the Romans, it survived on the remote island of Ireland ... "

"Celtic mythology – also known as Gaelic and Gaulish mythology – is the collection of myths pertaining to ancient Celtic religion. Many of the most famous Celtic legends come from early Irish myths and include the gods of Ireland. However, in history, there were six Celtic nations whose mythologies are included in the broader Celtic mythos ... "

"The Celtic gods and goddesses are a vast group of deities who were worshipped by the ancient Celtic tribes. Their names and attributes varied between languages and locations, with some deities worshipped by all tribes while others were specific to a particular region or people ... "

"Irish mythology is rich and complex, with lots of different Celtic gods and goddesses featured in stories and folklore ... "

"In Irish or Celtic or Irish mythology, the mother goddess is Danu. Danu is a mother goddess associated with fertility, abundance, and wisdom ..."

"Danu, also spelled Anu, or Dana, in Celtic religion, the earth-mother goddess or female principle, who was honoured under various names from eastern Europe to Ireland. The mythology that surrounded her was contradictory and confused; mother goddesses of earlier peoples were ultimately identified with her, as were many goddesses of the Celts themselves ... "

"The Irish mother goddess Danu was the ancestor from which all Tuatha Dé Danann claimed descent. Despite her importance to Irish mythology, Danu largely remains a mystery. She was an ancient deity, and made no appearances in the larger Celtic mythos. Though scholars have frequently sought answers regarding this mysterious matriarch, few definitive details have been found ..."

"Few nations can boast folklore as rich and colorful as that of Ireland. From fairies to Leprechauns to the festival of Samhain that has evolved into our modern Halloween celebration, the folklore of the Emerald Isle has rooted itself deeply into modern culture ... "

"The Dagda was chief of the Tuatha dé Danann, the foremost of the Irish ancestral gods. Highly skilled and wise beyond measure, he was not only the god of life and death, but of seasons, agriculture, fertility, magic, and druidry as well. He wielded three sacred treasures: a cauldron of plenty, a club of life and death, and a harp that controlled men and seasons alike ... "

"The Dagda was credited with many powers and possessed a caldron that was never empty, fruit trees that were never barren, and two pigs—one live and the other perpetually roasting ... "

"The Morrigan is a complex and enigmatic goddess from Celtic mythology associated with various aspects, including war, fate, sovereignty, and prophecy ... "

"Appearing before great battles as the goddess of war, death, and fate, the Morrígan offered prophecy and favor to heroes and gods alike. She was often depicted circling the battlefield in the form of a raven to carry away and eat carrion, though she could also appear as a beautiful woman to seduce powerful men. She was a cunning shapeshifter and a terrifying omen of death to the characters of Irish mythology ... "

"The Mórrigan (also Morrighan, Môr-Riogain or Morrigu), usually referred to with the definite article, was a great warrior-queen goddess in Irish-Celtic mythology. She was most associated with inciting war, then stirring up the fury and frenzy of battle, and finally, as the bringer of death ... "