Perhaps this is why I got the crow. Elf. The Morrígan is a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignty. She sometimes appears in the form of a crow, flying above the warriors, and in the Ulster cycle she also takes the forms of an eel, a wolf and a cow. She is generally considered a war deity comparable with the Germanic Valkyries, although her association with a cow may also suggest a role connected with wealth and the land. She is often depicted as a trio of goddesses, all sisters,[1][2][3] although membership of the triad varies; the most common combinations are Badb, Macha and Nemain,[4] or Badb, Macha and Anand; Anand is also given as an alternate name for Morrigu.[5] Other accounts name Fea, and others.[4] Etymology Sources Nature and functionsEdit The Morrígan is often considered a triple goddess, but this triple nature is ambiguous and inconsistent. Sometimes she appears as one of three sisters, the daughters of Ernmas: Morrígan, Badb and Macha.[29] Sometimes the trinity consists of Badb, Macha and Anann, collectively known as the Morrígna. Occasionally Nemain or Fea appear in the various combinations. However, the Morrígan can also appear alone,[17] and her name is sometimes used interchangeably with Badb.[26] The Morrígan is usually interpreted as a war goddess; W. M. Hennesseys The Ancient Irish Goddess of War, written in 1870, was influential in establishing this interpretation.[30] Her role often involves premonitions of a particular warriors violent death, suggesting a link with the Banshee of later folklore. This connection is further noted by Patricia Lysaght: In certain areas of Ireland this supernatural being is, in addition to the name banshee, also called the badhb.[31] Her role was to not only be a symbol of imminent death, but to also influence the outcome of war. Most often she did this by appearing as a crow flying overhead and would either inspire fear or courage in the hearts of the warriors. There are also a few rare accounts where she would join in the battle itself as a warrior and show her favouritism in a more direct manner.[32] It has also been suggested that she was closely tied to Irish männerbund groups[33] (described as bands of youthful warrior-hunters, living on the borders of civilized society and indulging in lawless activities for a time before inheriting property and taking their places as members of settled, landed communities)[34] and that these groups may have been in some way dedicated to her. If true, her worship may have resembled that of Perchta groups in Germanic areas.[35] However, Máire Herbert has argued that war per se is not a primary aspect of the role of the goddess,[36] and that her association with cattle suggests her role was connected to the earth, fertility and sovereignty; she suggests that her association with war is a result of a confusion between her and the Badb, who she argues was originally a separate figure. She can be interpreted as providing political or military aid, or protection to the king—acting as a goddess of sovereignty, not necessarily a war goddess.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:19:10 +0000
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