Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Now, if youve spent any time reading about Irish folklore, youll know that there are quite a few Irish mythological creatures out there, and that they, ehm,vary in their type. 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. Updates? Make sure to see our guide to Celtic Gods and Goddesses, after! He just keeps on riding, the horse keeps on running but when they stop a human dies. Ladies, take note meet a guy with seaweed on his head on Halloween night, dont go home with him! If a human finds and hides these items, the merrow must agree to be his wife. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. 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. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. so I would be terrified every night stayin up to make sure that she didn't call me. However, not long after falling in love with Leanan sdhe, its lovers passed away. It is believed that whoever listened to her play would die rather sooner than later. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. 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. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. Said to be the scariest type of fairy in Irish folklore, the Pooka are primarily creatures of the night. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. There was also a fairy cat that was known as the King of the Cats. Not to worry, though there is one way to defeat Dearg-due. The Gauls inhabited the region corresponding to modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, Luxembourg and northern Italy. Its like the Pooka, to an extent, in that it plays jokes on people, but thats where the similarities end. My program Nelum: The First Step Toward Wellness will re-launch on September 6! 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. According to legend, if you want to silence an Abhartach forever, one must find his crypt. Celtic religion - Beliefs, practices, and institutions | Britannica Scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth for Halloween The Celtic culture has always feared an array of evil forces. The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - YouTube Despite their name, the changelings are not actual shapeshifters. She is the Celtic goddess of battle, death, fate, strife, and fertility. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risk falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe! 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 is the Celtic goddess of evil magic. Have a question about Celtic folklore creatures that we havent answered? Celtic MythologyCeltic Mythology in ContextAdventure, heroism, romance, and magic are a few of the elements that make Celtic mythology one of the most entrancing mythologies of Europe. Celtic gods and goddesses like Dagda, Danu, the Morrigan, Lugh, and Brigid are the ones whose names may come up more than any others. Pca - the Irish Ghost. Merrows have the ability to do so thanks to their magical clothes. Interetingly enough, back in 2003 scientists conducted a number of scans using sonar technology to understand more about the lakes fish population. ; Esoteric. Legendary Creatures Of Celtic Mythology - A List - Symbol Sage Below, Ive popped in the most FAQs that weve received. Irish Folklore: Mythical Monsters and Terrifying Creatures - ConnollyCove As with Dearg-due, to prevent the undead Leanan Sidhe from rising, one must put a cairn of stones over her resting place. Nuckelavee - Wikipedia 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. Years later, she rose from the grave and started wandering across Ireland, punishing men by taking their life force away. The Celtiberians and Gallaecians were ancient Celtic peoples in Iberia. Leanan Sidhe the Evil Irish Fairy-Muse, A post shared by Emlyn Boyle Artist (@emlyn_artist76), A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun), A post shared by Amelia Leonards (@amelialeonardsart), A post shared by Morgana das Fadas (@morgana.das.fadas), A post shared by Tami Wicinas (@twicinas). 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. In Celtic mythology, Balor is the name of the evil version of the god of death. Learn more about our mission. [14] It was often found in the vicinity of a beach, but would never come ashore if it was raining. 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. Read more about the Banshee here. Abbadon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. Some say the Sluagh is the Irish version of the Wild Hunt, a European folktale about ghostly hounds or spirits traveling around in packs foretelling of death and disaster. The fairy was a beautiful woman who was said to give inspiration to poets and musicians but at the price of their lives. There is another legend that says Carman cursed Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish. In section two, we tackle the less harmful Celtic creatures. British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest"[1] of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles. The sons were driven across the sea, while Carman was imprisoned and eventually died of grief. Riding a black horse and covered with a black cape, the Dullahan roams the fields at night. The name Fomoire may mean "demons from below (the sea)," and their leader Balor had one huge deadly eye. on her? Their mythology survived, however, thanks largely to the efforts of later Irish and . 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. Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, 8. Science and religion have been at divisive odds during Earths entire existenceuntil recently, that is. A post shared by Morgana das Fadas (@morgana.das.fadas) on May 15, 2020 at 7:44am PDT. 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. I think the one I'd be more afraid to see would have to be The Far Darrig,because of it seems that he like's to play his food be for he attacks his prey and finish him/her off and that why I feel afraid of The Far Darrig, also could you give facts about why it is a myth. [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. Ladies, take note if meet a guy with seaweed on his head, dont go home with him! The Daoine Maithe are said to have originated either from fallen angels or they are the descendants of the Tuatha D Danann. 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. The ruler of all fairies, the Fairy Queen is one of the most famous Celtic creatures. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. 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. Her father frowned upon their relationship, however, and forced his daughter to marry a rich man instead. She stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach, but shes none the less terrifying, in our opinion. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. In exchange, the Fear Gorta (also often referred to as man of hunger) offers fortunes to those that offer assistance or kindness. Another possible theory, however, is that Bram Stroker took the idea from the Irish Abhartach. Another key difference between the Dullahan and the banshee is that the headless horseman does not hesitate to harm onlookers with his whip. Not all Irish folklore creatures are sinister, there are those that are actually generally good such as the Daoine Maithe. Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. 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. #oc #beckandkip #mermaid #merrow #sunset #ocean #aesthetic #digitalart #digitalillustration #illustration #art #artistsoninstagram #lgbtq, A post shared by Katie (@elentori) on Mar 11, 2020 at 8:26am PDT. 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. Dad forced her into an arranged marriage with a rich man who treated her terribly, and eventually, she commits suicide. Yes, Dracula himself is an Irish creation (Irishman Bram Stoker created the monster in his masterpiece novel), but theres also a vampire that resides right smack in the middle of Ireland. 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. Those that fell victim to his seductive charm ended up passing away not long after. The pursuit was a long one, and Caorthannach knew St. Patrick would need water to quench his thirst along the way, so she spit fire as she fled, and poisoned every well she passed. The tale of the Abhartach is one thats hard to debunk, and many believe that its real. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology. 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. Banshee - the Irish wailing ghost. The nuckelavee (/ n k l v i /) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. List of love and lust deities - Wikipedia Nevertheless, thanks to some archeological evidence, written Roman sources, and the still-surviving Celtic myths in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Britain, we know of quite a few beautiful Celtic myths, awesome gods, and many of the fascinating legendary creatures of Celtic mythology. A female spirit from Irish mythology, the Banshee can appear in many forms. All Rights Reserved. Right: Olga Vasileva. The scientific phenomenon known as Quantum Physics (Quantum Theory) has been discovered and is being widely embraced by many scientific leaders. Though theyre not so much demons, Sluagh are scary creatures that hunt down souls. 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 is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. 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. In Ireland, there are those who claim to be descendants of merrows who were caught by fishermen in their nets. She lived on Craig Liath and played a magic harp. The Abhartach, Balor of the Evil Eye, The Banshee and The Dearg Due. The Daoine Maithe are usually kind creatures but becomes cruel when mistreated. Top 10 Scary Irish Mythological Creatures - LinkedIn The 7 Worst Monsters & Demons from Celtic Mythology - Demonicpedia Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning red bloodsucker, is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. It also went by the name of Joint-eater, Just-halver, Art-Luachra, Airc-Luachra, and Doichi-Luachair. 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. Mythology Bestiary - The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - Balor - Kelps - Leprechaun - Selkie - Leanan Sidhe - Banshee - Spriggan - Sl. Some of the Celtic monsters were originally gods, but were later demonized as pagan creatures when many of the Celts became Christians. The Reading: Connect with your Spirit Guides, Akashic Records, Higher-Self, etc. Morrigan, sometimes known as Morrigu, was an Irish goddess of death on the battlefield who help the Tuatha De Danann at . Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Those who chased the Fear Gorta away, however, were cursed with bad luck. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Both have a very strong desire to return to the sea when they are on land, so when someone traps them on land they usually try to hide their red-feathered hat or sealskin cape. Here are some notable demons from Celtic mythology: Cwn Annwn (Welsh hellhounds): Yes, they really do exist outside of the TV show, Supernatural (great show, by the way. As with Dearg-due, to prevent the undead Leanan Sidhe from rising, one must put a cairn of stones over her resting place. We have created separate sub-sections for Irish Mythology, Welsh Mythology, Mythology of the Gauls and the Mythology of the Ancient Britons. Considered as an omen of death and the fear of every child, the banshee is one of the scariest creatures in Irish folklore. The pursuit was a long one, and Caorthannach knew St. Patrick would need water to quench his thirst along the way, so she spitfire as she fled, and poisoned every well she passed. Theres no mystery why, during a time when food was scarce, stories of this Irish mythical creature were a firm favourite. The Pooka, The Leprechaun, The Fairy Queen and Glas Gaibhnenn. Unfortunately, that is not uncommon given how often people take them for Far Darrig or other malevolent creatures. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Banshees can also take the form of a crow, stoat or weasel which are known to be associated with witchcraft. Another interesting point about them is that if you catch a leprechaun, they can grant you three wishes to let them free just like a genie or many other mythological creatures across different religions. 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. In one story, Abcan gets captured by the great Irish warrior C Chulainn. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lords daughter who fell in love with a peasant. Read More. Those who werent repulsed by the protruding bones and blueish skin of the walking dead and gave them food, were rewarded with prosperity and wealth. The fiercest and the largest bull in Irish mythology, Donn Cailnge used to roam the vast forests of the Cooley Peninsula. Aamon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of . Best features of Core Spirit. During all my sessions I connect with as many sources of information as I can to give you a more complete reading. They can also speak the human tongue and use that skill to lure travelers or farmers in the night. Such people would then usually take their own lives. [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. The beasts constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. In hindsight, maybe the Man-Wolves of Ossory should have been put with the Celtic monsters at the beginning. The character of Merlin originally came from pagan mythology. 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. The Morrigan - Phantom Queen in Irish Mythology | Mythology.net [5][24] The creature was also blamed for prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and poor harvests. 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. All Rights Reserved. She represented the circle of life and was associated with both birth and death. 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. Ghosts, fairies, goblins - Irish old timers share Halloween memories, The most haunted spots in Ireland to visit this Halloween, How File Na Marbh or 'Feast of the Dead' became Halloween, The scariest Irish spirits and monsters for Halloween, International Irish Coffee Day: The history and recipe of Irish coffee. The author was, of course, born in Dublin. 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. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. The Kelpie is an evil water spirit, typically portrayed as a white horse that swims in rivers or lakes. The Tuatha D Danann of Irish mythology, who were commonly interpreted as divinities or deified ancestors, were downgraded in Christian writings to, at best "fallen angels", or mere mortals, or even portrayed as demons. Hmm. The Clurichaun takes on the appearance of an old man thats too fond of alcohol and that likes to play tricks on people. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. 2015 2023 Core Spirit. 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. A cat could also be a spirit, an evil fairy, a shapeshifting witch, a demon, or the devil himself in disguise. [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. This was David Humes great insight, when he formulated his famous problem of induction. A guardian of the Dl gCais (an Irish clan), Aibell is the Fairy Queen of Thomond. 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. [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. The Irish word for demon is "deamhan" and it is certainly well used because Celtic mythology has always feared an array of evil forces, monsters, demons, and ghosts. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually, it appears in the form of a horse. The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water! She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. A post shared by Emlyn Boyle Artist (@emlyn_artist76) on Jan 24, 2018 at 1:50pm PST. Photo left: R. de Moraine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. The Clurichaun is a strange one. The other story says that fairies are from the magical being called Tuatha D Danann. IrishCentral has hunted down the 10 most frightening of these Celtic and Irish demons and monsters. There are stories that say the Dullahan throws blood at people he passes or announces the name of the person thats about to die. Whats worse, when a Far Farrig kidnaps a baby, they often replace the child with a changeling another horrible mythological creature well mention below. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. A look at some of the top Celtic mythology gods and goddesses, including Morrigan, Danu, Dagda, C Chulainn, Aonghus, Brigit, and Tuath D Danann. Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. It is said that the Abhartach was Bram Stokers inspiration for his novel, Dracula. 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. [5], The nuckelavee is the most malevolent of the demons in and around the Scottish islands, without any redeeming characteristics. Many view them as a type of fairy, which is logical in a sense as the word banshee comes bean sidhe or fairy woman in Gaelic. Dearg Due - the Irish vampire. Whatever the case, a merrow can choose to abandon his or her magical clothes and live on land with humans. If a Merrow wants to walk on land, she must abandon her cap or cape. [25] In common with other mythical sea-monsters, with the possible exception of kelpies and the nuggle of Shetland, it is unable to wade through fresh flowing water,[19] therefore it can be escaped by crossing a stream. The womans husband was terrible to her, so she ended up committing suicide out of sorrow. To stop the Sluagh from invading ones home, people usually kept their westward windows shut. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. A post shared by Tami Wicinas (@twicinas) on Oct 10, 2019 at 11:59pm PDT. Some stories represent the creature with the form of a vulture, while others describe it as a fire-breathing dragon. The Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. These small faeries usually wear red caps and coats and, similar to the Clurichaun, love to play practical jokes on humans. This Celtic mythological creature is best described as a mermaid in appearance, however, this is where the similarities. 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. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. The old tales call Carman or Carmun as the Celtic goddess of evil magic. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! A person is a piece of the entire called by us Universe, a section restricted in existence. How did he free himself? Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. [14] The torso has a large head possibly as much as 3 feet (90 centimetres) in diameter that rolls back and forth. Cat sth This mythological creature is seen mainly in Scottish folklore, although does make an appearance in Irish. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. 2022 Wasai LLC. Natural beauty, a long tumultuous history, castles, beer, whiskey, Halloween, and fascinating mythology. Sounds a little bit like the story of Tir Na Nog, right?! One of the most common questions we get in relation to Irish mythology revolves around Irish Mythological Creatures (or Celtic mythological creatures). She would share with them her creativity, intellect, and magic. 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. Curious how these Celtic creatures compare to Greek, Norse or Japanese mythological creatures? This mythological creature in Irish folklore is the equivalent of a boogeyman. The ancient Celts had hundreds of Irish mythical deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. Some stories portray them as old hags and others depict them as young maidens or middle-aged women. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. Leprechauns are not the only magical little people in Celtic mythology. Once that happened, the leanan sidhe would come, steal their fresh corpse, and take it to her lair. When a deformed fairy is born, however, which apparently common for them, the fairies would steal a human child and put their deformed child in its place. Photo by Ververidis Vasilis/shutterstock.com. These scary spirits are said to come from the west, and they fly in groups. Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. The Leanan Sidhe will then take their dead lover back into her lair, collect their blood into a cauldron, which is the source of her youth, beauty, and artistic inspiration. Origin: Celtic Role: Goddess Symbol: Crow Husband: Dadga, possibly Children: Possibly Adair Other Names: Morrigu, Morgane, Morrighan Who Is The Morrigan? Morrigan (phantom queen) or Mrrgan (great queen) is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have been a goddess, though not referred to as such explicitly in later text. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. *Originally published in January 2014. The Banshee is one of the better-known of the many Irish mythological creatures / Irish monsters, mainly due to the popularity of storytelling in Irish culture.