Aamon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. A race of supernatural giants, Fomorians are often described as hideous-looking monsters who came from the sea/underworld. Photo by Khomenko Maryna/shutterstock.com. 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. [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. [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. The Brythonic peoples, descendants of the Celtic Britons, inhabited western Britain (mainly Wales, Cumbria and Cornwall) and Brittany. Some Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut at all times to keep the Sluagh out of their homes. Instead, they wander around, carrying their rotting flesh from village to village, asking strangers for food. Like all fairies, these dogs are more spectral hounds than demonic. [14] Seaweed burning to create what was known at the time as kelp began on Stronsay in 1722. The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. 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. 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. When the Tuatha De Danann, the peoples of the goddess Danu, came to the rescue. Were Irelands Viking invaders high on hallucinogenic herbal tea? They spoke Hispano-Celtic languages. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually, it appears in the form of a horse. This destructive witch roamed around with her three evil sons: Dub (darkness in Irish), Dother (evil) and Dain (violence), destroying anything or anyone in their path. Sluaghs were one of a handful of Irish mythical creatures that well and truly creeped me out as a child, after hearing stories about them from friends. The interesting bit to this story is that the lovers of Leanan sdhe were said to have lived inspired lives. All Rights Reserved. Unfortunately, that is not uncommon given how often people take them for Far Darrig or other malevolent creatures. 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. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. As the demon approached, he jumped out from his hiding spot and banished her from Ireland with a single word. Merrow-men, on the other hand, are said to be hideous and ugly. If a human finds and hides these items, the merrow must agree to be his wife. 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. He just keeps on riding, the horse keeps on running but when they stop a human dies. 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. Said to be the scariest type of fairy in Irish folklore, the Pooka are primarily creatures of the night. Natural beauty, a long tumultuous history, castles, beer, whiskey, Halloween, and fascinating mythology. One of the most common questions we get in relation to Irish mythology revolves around Irish Mythological Creatures (or Celtic mythological creatures). He carries his head in one arm and a whip made out of a human spine in the other. 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. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. They have a terrifying laugh and they often cause nightmares. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. Considered as an omen of death and the fear of every child, the banshee is one of the scariest creatures in Irish folklore. If you read our guide to the Cattle Raid of Cooley, one of the most famous battles in Irish Folklore, you may be familiar with this fella. The scariest monsters and demons from 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. Dearg Due - the Irish vampire. Now known as Dearg-due, the vampire rises once a year, using her beauty to lure men to their deaths. These scary spirits are said to come from the west, and they fly in groups. My program Nelum: The First Step Toward Wellness will re-launch on September 6! 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. 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. According to Irish folklore, Sluagh is dead sinners that come back as malicious spirits. She is one of the Tuatha D . Photo by Shvaygert Ekaterina/shutterstock. 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. Morrigan is a demon in the series. Babalon, Thelemic godform of lust, carnality and the liberated woman. Balor - Celtic demon king. Sporting one eye and a single gigantic leg, the evil creature was King of the Fomori, demons who lived in the dark depths of lakes and seas. These evil fairies take the shape in black horses, who stampede through fences, crops, and properties, causing damage and destruction. [5][24] The creature was also blamed for prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and poor harvests. The banshee often appears as a young woman, a matron, or an old hag, that wears a white cloak. However, not long after falling in love with Leanan sdhe, its lovers passed away. 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). The Dullahan rides a black horse with flaming eyes, while he carries his severed head under one arm. Often named Titanian or Mab, she is often described as both seductive and beautiful. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. The Pooka, The Leprechaun, The Fairy Queen and Glas Gaibhnenn. The Cailleach is one of several Irish mythical creatures that has different forms, depending on whos telling the story. Guess this is one demon you can check off your list of scary creatures to worry about! These ancient Irish monsters and demons have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. Spread throughout the St. Patricks Festival Week are various activities and events like [], 10 Things To Do In Lahinch - Ireland Travel Guides, [] to legend, an old hag, Mal of Malbay, fell in love with the Irish mythology hero, Cu Chulainn. 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. The ancient Celts had hundreds of deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. [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. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! 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. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. Failinis was a dog who fought in many battles. Posted on Published: July 19, 2020- Last updated: September 22, 2022, Drinking Age In Ireland: Drinking Laws And Tips, Dunguaire Castle History And All The Things You Need To Know, Irish Culture And Traditions - Ireland Travel Guides, [] Read more about creatures from Irish folklore here. It is said that the Abhartach was Bram Stokers inspiration for his novel, Dracula. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lords daughter who fell in love with a peasant. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. The Dullahan can also foreshadow deaths. Abbadon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. 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, they'd die. Hume realized that all. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. [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. She stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach, but shes none the less terrifying, in our opinion. They can also take the form of a dark eagle, some boogeyman character, or goblin. Outside of a person it was not much to . #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. In common with many other sea-monsters, it is unable to tolerate fresh water, therefore, those it is pursuing have only to cross a river or stream to be rid of it. 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. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. Balor had one huge leg and, with his one evil eye, could kill someone just by peering at them. Interetingly enough, back in 2003 scientists conducted a number of scans using sonar technology to understand more about the lakes fish population. Ladies, take note if meet a guy with seaweed on his head, dont go home with him! He denounces the demons who fathered him and lives his life as a good Christian hero. 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. It is said that when a banshee is seen or if anyone hears her wails, it means someone is about to die. Little is known about the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul. Dont worry if you dont know exactly what kind of reading you need. Not all Irish folklore creatures are sinister, there are those that are actually generally good such as the Daoine Maithe. 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. There, she would drain their blood and use it to fuel her own immortality. She is the Celtic goddess of battle, death, fate, strife, and fertility. He even calls himself God's messenger on earth. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. Those that fell victim to his seductive charm ended up passing away not long after. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. 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 late 19th century saw an upsurge of interest in transcribing folklore, but the recorders used inconsistent spelling and frequently anglicised words, thus the same entity could be given different names. We are your one-stop travel website for all things Ireland. 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. The Abhartach, Balor of the Evil Eye, The Banshee and The Dearg Due. Balor can kill someone just by staring at them with his evil eye, so he kept it closed most of the time, so as not to constantly be tripping over dead bodies. They can also speak the human tongue and use that skill to lure travelers or farmers in the night. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. Scholars have traced his origins back to various figures from the Celtic tradition, but he is most closely associated with the early Welsh Myrddin. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. [10] Dennison transcribed much of the information available about traditional tales told on Orkney, but to an extent romanticised and systematically altered certain elements of the stories in the process of transforming them into prose. My readings are very dynamic and profound. 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. Riding a black horse and covered with a black cape, the Dullahan roams the fields at night. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. 10. There was also a fairy cat that was known as the King of the Cats. An evil cousin to the banshee or the bean sidhe, the leanan sidhe is said to be a malicious fairy or demon who seduces aspiring authors and musicians. The beasts constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs. According to some myths they are witches, according to others these female beings are ghosts. The Daoine Maithe are usually kind creatures but becomes cruel when mistreated. 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 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! These were a race of gigantic warriors who liked nothing better than to invade somewhere, pillage it and then gloat horribly. 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. 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 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. Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. More ghosts rather than demons or spirits, the Sluagh are said to be the souls of dead sinners. 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 that when a chicken or cow sees a Pooka, the animals become too traumatized that they cannot produce eggs or milk for weeks. Ah, the Dearg Due. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. Sporting one eye and a single gigantic leg, the evil creature was King of the Fomori, demons who lived in the dark depths of lakes and seas. 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. If you read our guide to Irish Mythology, youll know that theres plenty of Irish mythological creatures that were known to be fierce in battle. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The nuckelavee ( /nklvi/) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. All in one Mobile App. Check out those lists here: Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. These manuscripts include the Ulster Cycle, the Mythological Cycle, the Fenian Cycle, and the Cycle of the Kings. [6], Stories of mythical Orcadian demons are recorded in the 16th-century Latin manuscripts of Jo Ben,[a] who may have been referring to the nuckelavee in his description of the Orkney island of Stronsay. Also referred to as Dwarf King, these Irish folklore creatures are little yet powerful tyrants When he died, he rose from his crypt and fed on the blood of his victims. 12 Fascinating(and Scary) Irish Mythological Creatures, 12 Best Irish BeersThat You Must Try In Ireland, 6. But the strange thing about this pony is that its mane would always be dripping with water. However, when a merrow finds her cap or cape again, she is overtaken by the desire to return to the water and leave her husband and children. The Far Darrig are just as short and also sport some stylish beards. Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. We usually associate vampires with Romania, as the inspiration of Bram Stokers Dracula was likely Vlad the Impaler. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. [5], The nuckelavee is the most malevolent of the demons in and around the Scottish islands, without any redeeming characteristics. 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. General deities were known by the Celts throughout large regions, and are the gods and goddesses called upon for protection, healing, luck, and honour. If he calls out your name, you will immediately drop dead. The ancient Celts had. 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.

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