Glossary in A (Celtic)

Here is the glossary of mythology Celtic : Abarta, Abhean, Adnae Mac Uthidir, Aed Mac Ainine, Aed Mac Ammere, Àed Ruad, Aengus (Mac Oc, Oengus), Agnoman, Aífe, Ailill, Ai Mac Ollam, Aidlinn (Ailinn), Ailbe, Áine, Airmed, Aithirne Ailgesach, Amorgen, Ana (Anna, Dana, Dôn), Andarta (Andrasta), Anguipede, Ankou, Annwvyn, Arawn, Arduinna, Arianrhod, Artio, Art, Assa, Atepomaros

Celtic Glossary

In Irish Celtic mythology, Abarta is one of the gods that make up Tuatha Dé Danann. His name means "The Achiever of Prowess".

He offered his services to Finn MacCumaill, the hereditary chief of the Fianna, in order to harm them. For this he offered a wild horse with a gray coat, to the chief of the Fianna, presenting himself under the name of "Giolla Decair". This horse was so fiery, no one could ride it. Fourteen of Finn Mac Cool's warriors clung to the animal to tame it, but the horse refused to move forward. It was only when Abarta mounted behind the fourteen warriors that the animal galloped off, even dragging along a fifteenth warrior who had not had time to let go of his tail. Abarta took them with him to the other world, because that was his goal!

The rest of the Fianna tribe then obtained a magnificent ship to pursue Abarta's courier.

Among the pursuers, the best was undoubtedly Foltor right arm of Finn Mac Cool, who managed to sail to the other world. Abarta was forced to release his prisoners and return to Ireland with them clinging to the horse's tail. Honor being saved, the FIANNA agreed to make peace with Abarta. Much later, when the Gaels arrived, the god was exiled with his clan and forced to live underground, hidden.

Adnae Mac Uthidir, son of Uthider, is Ulster's most important 'file', that is, a bard with the rank of Ollam (a doctor of lore). He is therefore a druid who belongs to the priestly class, the one who religiously and legally directs Celtic society. The etymology of his name would be related to age (and experience). He is assassinated after having usurped the sovereignty of Connaught.

He is the father of Néde who "argues" with Ferchertne, in the Dialogue of the Two Wise Men (Immacallam in da thuarad), to know which is the most competent and the most worthy to be the main file of Ulster.

Áed Ruad (or Áedh Ruadh), in Irish Celtic mythology is a king of Ulster, his name means "Áed the red".

He rules alternately with his cousins Díthorba and Cimbáeth, each of them assuming sovereignty for a period of seven years. Àed dies before the end of his reign, drowned in a waterfall, now known as Eas Ruaid (the 'Red Waterfall' – Assaroe, County Donegal). His daughter Macha, nicknamed Macha Mongruad (Masha the Red, because of the color of her hair), claims the kingship in her father's name for the remaining time to reign, which is denied to her by the other two kings. They are defeated by arms and Díthorba is killed on the battlefield. Macha marries Cimbáeth and forces the children of Cimbáeth to build Emain Macha. After the death of her husband, she reigns alone over Ulster.

According to Christian-J. Guyonvarc'h and Françoise Le Roux (in Les Druides – see bibliography), the surname Irish Áed is etymologically related to Gallic Aedui who gave his name to the Aedui, it has the meaning of "fire"

Oengus (or Aengus, or Mac Oc) is the natural son of Dagda and Boand (name of the River Boyne), he was procreated and he was born on the same day. The Dagda had tricked Boann's husband into kidnapping him. Oengus means "unique choice" and Mac Oc "young son". According to the custom of forestry, he was brought up by Midir, a brother of his father. He has a daughter named Curcog. In the organization of the Tuatha Dé Danann, it is a god who participates in the three functions (priestly, warrior and artisan - see Indo-European tripartite functions).

It is described as being of great beauty, always accompanied by four birds. In his sleep, he falls in love with Caer Ibormaith, whose father, Ethal, refuses to hold his hand. Oengus forces him to tell him where she is hiding, he discovers her swimming on a lake, in the guise of a swan in the midst of a hundred and fifty birds. On Samhain's day, he too transforms himself and goes to look for the young girl. He is the adoptive father of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. He is comparable to Apollo in mythology Greek.

He seizes by trickery the home of his father, the Brug na Boinne: he asks for the symbolic property for a day and a night. But in the Celtic realm, a day and a night represent eternity, so he becomes its official owner. Time and eternity are under his responsibility.

Agnoman is the father of Nemed (the sacred), the leader of the mythical people of the Nemedians. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn (the Book of the Conquests of Ireland), this inhuman race occupied Ireland after the disappearance of the Partholonians, decimated by an epidemic, but will be driven out by the Fomorians. Agnoman and his descendants would have come from Greece.

Aífe, in Irish Celtic mythology, is both a magician (druidess) and a warrior who resides in Scotland. She is at war with Scáthach for command of this army of women. The role of these magicians is the warrior and sexual initiation of the heroes.

During Ferdiad and Cúchulainn's stay, the latter defeats her in a confrontation and asks her to respect three wishes: to make peace with her rival, to accept the supremacy of Scáthach and to grant her "the friendship of his hip". , which will give birth to a son, Conla (or Conlaech). Aίfe is in charge of the education of the child, in particular his warrior magic, with the exception of the handling of the gae bolga, a weapon reserved for Cuchulainn alone, with which he will accidentally kill his son.

Ailill Mac Máta is a king of Ireland in Celtic mythology. He is the husband of Queen Medb.

Aillil's name means “the ghost”. This timorous being finds himself opposed to his wife with a strong character, Queen Medb, who would like to ensure power alone. One night, the two spouses quarrel about their mutual possessions. But the strictest equality exists between them. Medb has the idea of being lent, by a neighbor and for one year, a bull. She sends an emissary laden with gifts and the promise that she will grant him her favors. But the mediation goes wrong because the envoy gets drunk. Medb then wants to have the bull by force, and despite the advice of her husband, she undertakes a deadly war against her neighbour. This is the start of the theme of the great Irish epic.

Aidlinn (or Ailinn), in Irish Celtic mythology, is the daughter of Lugaid Reo nDerg, himself the adopted son of Cúchulainn and Ard ri Érenn of Ireland.

She appears in particular in the story Scél Baili Binnberlaig ("Story of Baile in the sweet language"), of which she is the heroine. Learning of the death of her fiancé, Baile Bindberlach son of Buan, she herself lets herself die of grief. On one grave he grows a yew and on the other an apple tree; they are made into plates that cannot be separated afterwards. According to Christian-J. Guyonvarc'h and Françoise Le Roux (in Les Druides – see bibliography below), more than the expression of romantic feelings between young people, it is above all the description of a magic ritual with yew wood, operated by druids.

Áine is, in Irish Celtic mythology, the goddess of love and fertility.
She was the daughter of Eogabail (the adopted son of the sea god of Man (Manannan Mac Lir). Munster, who was a lover of hers, tried to assault her, but hurt her as she used her powers to kill him.
At a celebration in his honor, some girls lingered. Áine appeared and showed them a hill whose inhabitants were fairies visible only when viewed through Áine's magic ring.

Airmed is the daughter of the god-medicine Diancecht, who is also the god of magic. It therefore belongs to the Tuatha Dé Danann, its name which means "measure" is related to its role. During the Battle of Mag Tured (Cath Maighe Tuireadh), she is tasked with collecting medicinal plants, which are put into the Fountain of Health; a bath in this fountain heals wounded warriors and raises the dead. She has two brothers Miach ("the bushel") and Ormiach (a double of the previous one).

Aithirne Ailgesach, in Irish Celtic mythology, is a despotic druid, whose nickname ailgesach means "the Demanding". He appears in several tales of the Ulster Cycle, including the Courtship of Luaine and the Siege of Howth. He has two sons, Cuingedach ("the Envious") and Apartach ("the Sarcastic").

Aithirne Ailgesach is the epitome of the rogue druid, renowned for demanding impossible things and retaliating with his magic, including the deadly satire of glam dicinn.

Of all his extravagances, we can remember that he demands from the one-eyed king Eochaid Mac Luchta, of Connaught, that he give him his good eye; to Tigerna Tetbuillech, King of Munster, he wants to sleep with his wife, even asks Mesgegra about Queen Buân. He demands that the warriors of Leinster offer him a jewel of great value. He is responsible for the battle of Dun Etair: having spent a whole year of raiding capturing queens (“three times fifty”), he is besieged with the Ulates (inhabitants of Ulster) in the fortress by the warriors of Leinster. His most serious crime, which will be fatal to him, is the curse of Luaine subject of the story "Tochmarc Luaine" (Courtney of Luaine). While she is promised to King Conchobar Mac Nessa, the druid and his two sons want her to sleep with them, when she refuses he pronounces a glam dicinn which kills the young girl. Conchobar's revenge is relentless, he leveled the fortress of Dun Etair, killed the druid and all his family.

The first is Amorgen Mac Mile (that is to say son of Mile Espàine) and better known under the name of Glungel (with white knees). He is the primary "file" of the Milesians (the first Gael settlers in Ireland), as well as a bard and a judge, according to the Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of the Conquests of Ireland).

This colony, led by the eight sons of Mile (himself being already dead), landed in Ireland, coming from Spain to avenge the death of Ith. This one, come to explore the island, had been treacherously assassinated by the three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann: Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. The three queens Banba, Ériu and Fódla, (three sisters, wives of the three kings) authorized, in return, Amorgen and his people to land. Each of them asked the druid to give their name to the island. It is that of Érui which was chosen, it is at the origin of Érin, the names of the two sisters are more frequently used in a poetic way.

However, the Milesians had to take the island in a formidable struggle against the three kings, their druids and their warriors. Amorgen played the role of judge and was impartial towards each camp by enacting the rules of the fight. The Milesians agreed to leave the island and retreat into the ocean behind the ninth wave, a magical boundary. At a certain signal, they approached the shore, but the druids of the Dé Danann raised a magic storm which prevented them from reaching land. However, Amorgen summoned the Spirit of Ireland during what is known as The Song of Amorgen, which was able to split the storm and allow ships to dock without damage. There were many casualties on both sides, but the Milesians prevailed. The three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann were killed in single combat by the three surviving sons: Eber Finn, Eremon and the Druid Amorgen. Amorgen split the country between his two brothers, Eber taking the southern part of Ireland, Eremon the North. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, this is the first human occupation of the island.

The second Amorgen is the druid-poet (see Bard) of Conchobar Mac Nessa, he is also a formidable warrior, in the "Ulster Cycle".

He is the son of Eccet Salach, he grew up until the age of fourteen without speaking or washing. One day, Aithirne Ailgesach, the great Druid of Ulster sends his servant to Eccet to buy an axe. Amorgen then launches into a terrible poetic incantation, the servant hastily returns to his master to report to him what he has heard. Aithirne decides to do away with the child who could one day be a threat, but his father replaces him with a clay lookalike, larger than life. Aithirne comes to get his new ax and tries it with one hit on Amorgen, whom he thinks he killed. The Ulsters (people of Ulster) besiege the murderous druid in his residence in order to obtain compensation for Eccet. Amorgen becomes his adopted son, he follows the teaching of the scholar and will become the great Druid of Ulster.

Amorgen is Cai Cainbrethach's father. His wife is Findchoem, daughter of the druid Cathbad and Ness, and sister of Conchobar (he is therefore the king's son-in-law). Its name means "birth of song".

Anna was a mother goddess in Gallic beliefs.

She was protector of the living, the dead and the damp places, whose cult, very lively in the west, was found in the Christian cult at Sainte-Anne.

This one which is perpetuated in the pilgrimages to the patron saint of the Brittany.

Andarta is a Gallic goddess of Celtic mythology who is only attested by sources from Roman times. The meaning of the theonym, engraved on inscriptions found in the south of France, is Grande Ourse and is related to the name of King Arthur and the goddess Artio.

Dio Cassius makes her a goddess of war under the name Andrasta, in the British Isles. She would have been venerated especially among the Iceni, Queen Boudicca.

Anguipede is a legendary creature whose body ends in a serpent's tail. Equivalent to the demon Abrasax of Greek mythology, this character symbolizes the forms of evil from the Earth.

In particular, there are so-called “anguipede riders” ensembles. The character slaying the anguipede is apparently Jupiter. Such statues have been found in Corseul (Côtes-d'Armor), Briec (Finistère), Landudal (Finistère), Saint-Méloir-des-Bois (Côtes-d'Armor), Plouaret (Côtes-d'Armor), Plomelin (Finistère) and Plobannalec (Finistère). They are also very present in the East of France (Grand).

Ankou (an Ankoù) is the personification of Death in Lower Brittany.

He does not represent Death in itself, but his servant: his role is to collect in his creaking cart (karr an Ankoù, karrigell an Ankoù, karrik an Ankoù) the souls of the recent deceased. When a living person hears the sound of the cart (wig ha wag!), It is because he (or according to another version, someone around him) will soon pass from life to death. It is also said that whoever sees the Ankou dies within the year.

Annwvyn (or Annwfn, Annwn), in Welsh Celtic mythology, designates the Otherworld of Celts. It is the equivalent of the sidh of the Irish tradition, a marvelous place, where bliss reigns, a world of pleasures where youth is eternal, where disease is absent and food is abundant. The Annwvyn, in medieval tales, is presented as the kingdom of the souls of the dead. According to some version of the legend, it is located far to the west, so far that Manawyddan Fab Llyr did not find it and can only be reached by death. Other sources allege that the entrance is on Lundy Island in the Severn Estuary or, a little further south, towards Glastonbury, otherwise a hotbed of Arthurian legend.

The Annwvyn is particularly mentioned in the first tale of the Mabinogion: Pwyll, prince of Dyved. After a hunting dispute, Arawn, king of the Other World and Pwyll exchange their situations for a period of one year, this is the founding myth of the dynasty of the princes of Dyved. In the Book of Taliesin, the poetic text Preiddeu Annwfn describes King Arthur and his knights crossing the Annwvyn, in search of a magic cauldron, possession of nine sorceresses (Celtic theme found in particular in the Gallisenae of the Island of Sein). This Other World is also present in the tale Kulhwch and Olwen.

Arawn is the king of the Otherworld, the Annwvyn. He appears in particular in the first tale of the Mabinogion, entitled: Pwyll, prince of Dived.

Arawn roams the forests, with a pack of red hounds, pursuing the deer. He has a rival named Hafgan who owns a neighboring domain and has the same powers as him. One morning he meets Pwyll and offers to swap their kingdoms for a year and a day. However, there is one condition: Pwyll must defeat but not finish off Hafgan, in a duel on the ford. For his part, Arawn never managed to overcome his opponent. Pwyll succeeds in his quest and, furthermore, respects Arawn's wife.

Arduinna or Arduena, Arduenna, Ardoina is a Gallic goddess of hunting and the forest. She is often depicted riding a boar. She was also represented armed with a cuirass or corselet, a bow in her hand, and accompanied by a dog. She corresponds to the Roman goddess Diana. From its name derives that of the forest massif of the Ardennes, whose symbol is also the wild boar.

Arianrhod, in Welsh Celtic mythology, is a goddess who appears notably in the fourth tale of the Mabinogion: Math Vab Mathonwy. Its name means “Silver Wheel”.

Daughter of Don, her five brothers are Gwydion, Amaethon, Hyveidd, Gofannon and Gilvaethwy. Goddess of fertility, she is the mother of the supreme god Lleu Llaw Gyffes, equivalent of Lug and Dylan Eil Ton.

In the Mabinogi of Math, this king can only live with his feet in the lap of a virgin. Goewin, who fulfills this role, is kidnapped by Gilvaethwy, his fiancée. It is Arianrhod who must replace her, but the king must ensure her virginity, with his magic wand. The ordeal gave birth to a boy, Lleu, which she refuses to recognize, he will be raised by his uncle Gwydion. His negative attitude (refusal to recognize his son, to give him a name, arms and a wife) reveals, on the contrary, the importance of the role of women among the Celts.

Artio is a goddess who seems to have been worshiped by the people of the Helvetians.

It is known by inscriptions and a bronze statuette dated from the 2nd century and unearthed in Muri, in the region of Bern (hence the name: Artio de Muri).

The statuette is 15.6 cm high by 19 cm long. It represents a bear (perhaps a female) on its four legs, head raised and mouth ajar, revealing two canines. A small tree bearing two branches, a leaf and fruit is planted behind the bear, while a woman seated in a chair faces the bear. This woman, representing the Roman goddess Abundance, is a later addition.

Artio means bear in the Gallic language, emblematic animal of royalty among the Celts. We find the same root in other Celtic languages: art in Old Irish, arth in Welsh, arz in Breton. It is from this root that the name of King Arthur could come.

Atepomaros, in Gallic Celtic mythology, is a mythical king or warrior, whose name means "great horseman".

According to legend, he is with his brother Momoros one of the founders of the city of Lyon. Coming from the north, they stopped on a hill on the banks of the Saône. According to the instructions of an oracle, they undertake the construction of a city, when the site is invaded by a multitude of crows. This animal being the harbinger of the presence of the god Lug, it is decreed that the city will be called “Lugdunum” that is to say the fortress (or hill) of Lug.