Morrigan

CREATIVE. INTELLIGENT. DARK

MORRIGAN

Morrigan, the Celtic goddess

Morrigan is a character from Celtic mythology, particularly Irish mythology. She is a divine figure who is often viewed as a goddess of war, goddess of the dead and goddess of fate.

She is often depicted as a triple goddess, appearing in three different forms: Anu (or Danu), the mother goddess, Macha, the war goddess, and Badb, the raven or death goddess. These three aspects represent different aspects of life and death and can appear depending on the situation or legend.

Your name and its meaning

The origin of the name "Morrigan" is rooted in Celtic mythology and language.

It often means "The Great Queen" or "The Queen of the Phantoms". This name emphasizes her position as a powerful and respected goddess in Celtic mythology who presided over various aspects of life and death.

The Cooley cattle raid - the beginning

In one of Morrigan's first encounters with Cú Chulainn, she appears in the form of a young woman. She meets Cú Chulainn in a river and shows interest in him. Morrigan tries to seduce him and offers him her love, but he refuses as he is loyal to his wife Emer. This angers Morrigan, and she predicts misfortune and death for him.

The story begins with Queen Medb of Connacht learning from her husband Ailill that she has a more valuable bull in her possession than he. However, Medb wants to own equivalent livestock and learns of a legendary bull named Donn Cuailnge, which is owned by the Ulster King. This bull is considered powerful.

The problem is that at this time a mysterious illness has struck the men of Ulster, making them unable to move or fight, with the exception of Cú Chulainn, who alone is able to join the armies of Connacht place.

The Cooley Cattle Raid

Cú Chulainn bravely defends himself against the armies of Connacht, inflicting significant casualties. He performs heroic deeds and individual battles.

The climax of the story is the fight between him and the Donn Cuailnge, the stolen bull. It is a tremendous battle in which Cú Chulainn ultimately wins and hunts down the bull.

After Cú Chulainn is wounded, Morrigan approaches him again and licks his blood from the ground. This is often interpreted as a sign of his approaching death.

In the end, Ulster's sickness returns, and Cú Chulainn collapses from exhaustion.