I could also sha. Not to be confused with a mermaid or merman, a merrow is an intriguing creature from Irish folklores that are said to live underwater. [c] According to Tammas, the nuckelavee has a man's torso attached to a horse's back as if it were a rider. 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. As fallen angels, their sins were not great enough to warrant a lifetime in hell so they were sent to earth as fairies instead. Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, 8. Sluaghs are heightening creatures that hunt down souls. Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples. The Morrigan is the term given to Goddess Morrigan, one of the triple Goddesses in Celtic mythology. Ah, the Dearg Due. 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. There are quite a few Irish clans that even today claim to be descendants from merrows who came to the land centuries ago. 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. 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. In Irish folklore, these elf-like creatures are tricksters who cannot be trusted and will deceive you whenever possible. They have human-like legs and huge, flat feet and webbed fingers. Celtic mythology [ edit] Brigit, Irish goddess of fire, poetry, arts, and crafts Aed, Irish god whose name means "fire" Grannus, god of fire, health, water springs, and the sun Nantosuelta, goddess of fire, nature, fertility, rivers and the earth Etruscan mythology [ edit] Sethlans, fire god of smithing and crafts Greek mythology [ edit] Top 10 Celtic Monsters! - Celtic Life International If ever youll be walking or driving at night in Ireland, better wear something gold so the Dullahan wont throw blood at you or call your name. Her father frowned upon their relationship, however, and forced his daughter to marry a rich man instead. Outside of a person it was not much to . A unique and solitary creature possessing extensive evil powers, its malevolent behaviour can influence events throughout the islands. 500+ Demon Names From Theology, Mythology, And Fiction Demonic one-eyed God of Death and evil King of the Fomorians. Dearg Due - the Irish vampire. One of the popular spirit names. Some stories represent the creature with the form of a vulture, while others describe it as a fire-breathing dragon. [4] The male torso has no legs, but its arms can reach the ground from its position on top of the equine body, the legs of which have fin like appendages. The Celtic gods and goddesses are a vast group of deities who were worshipped by the ancient Celtic tribes. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. Guess this is one demon you can check off your list of scary creatures to worry about! Since publishing a large number of Irish folklore and Irish mythology guides, weve received countless emails about Irish folklore creatures. [14] The torso has a large head possibly as much as 3 feet (90 centimetres) in diameter that rolls back and forth. Right: Olga Vasileva. 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. 2022 Wasai LLC. [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. The Gancanagh was known to seduce both men and women with what were said to be addictive toxins that emitted a powerful, alluring scent. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water! In this article we will explore Irish monsters and Celtic folklore creatures including: The Leprechaun Creatures similar to the Leprechaun The Banshee The Dullahan - The origin of the headless horseman Changelings The Pca / Pooka - The trickster spirit Failnis - Wolves in Irish folklore Fear Gorta - The Hungry man The Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. Take a look inside Dublin's most stylish townhouse, Number 31. It also went by the name of Joint-eater, Just-halver, Art-Luachra, Airc-Luachra, and Doichi-Luachair. 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. [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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He just keeps on riding, the horse keeps on running but when they stop a human dies. Demons from Celtic mythology. An omen of death, just like the banshee, the Dullahan is the Irish headless horseman. The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - YouTube Celtic mythology is full of unique creatures, many of which have influenced modern day pop culture and are still mentioned in books, movies, video games and songs. They can also speak the human tongue and use that skill to lure travelers or farmers in the night. When you see him, he must grant you three wishes before he can be released. 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. 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, theyd die. Carman put a blight on Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish until the Tuatha De Danann, the peoples of the goddess Danu, used their magic to fight and defeat her, and drove her sons across the sea. The evil fire-spitter drowned in the ocean, leaving a swell behind that created the famous Hawks Well. Celtic Mythology - Mythopedia 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 scientific phenomenon known as Quantum Physics (Quantum Theory) has been discovered and is being widely embraced by many scientific leaders. Celtic mythology - Wikipedia Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. [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. The Sluagh - Celtic monster. You must be wise in making these wishes though because he might trick you. According to legend, this Irish folklore creature uses the spine of a human as a whip. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. 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. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. These ancient Irish monsters and demons have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. Have a question about Celtic folklore creatures that we havent answered? The Reading: Connect with your Spirit Guides, Akashic Records, Higher-Self, etc. The 7 Worst Monsters & Demons from Celtic Mythology - Demonicpedia List of Celtic deities - Wikipedia Celtic. A race of supernatural giants, Fomorians are often described as hideous-looking monsters who came from the sea/underworld. The Celtic culture has always feared an array of evil forces. 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. In Christian demonology, he is a Marquis of Hell and rules 40 infernal legions. A famous Irish creature that some say teams up with the Dullahan is the Banshee. In hindsight, maybe the Man-Wolves of Ossory should have been put with the Celtic monsters at the beginning. She stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach, but shes none the less terrifying, in our opinion. Hume realized that all. Dad forced her into an arranged marriage with a rich man who treated her terribly, and eventually, she commits suicide. Ancient mythology about african gods and godesses, Quantum Physicists Prove Gods Existence. Photo by Valery Sidelnykov (Shutterstock). Whats worse, when a Far Farrig kidnaps a baby, they often replace the child with a changeling another horrible mythological creature well mention below. The Leanan Sidhe appear to these hapless souls, offer inspiration by asking them to be her lover. In a nutshell, this is one of a number of Irish folklore creatures that closely resemble people that youll find in towns and villages across the world. In Ireland of old, the Alp-Luachra was one of the most dreaded of all the fairy folk. The Bodach, The Man-Wolves of Ossory, The Sluagh and Bnnach. Photo by Kiselev Andrey Valerevich/shutterstock.com. Merrow - Sea fairy. They spoke Gaulish. The ancient Celts had hundreds of Irish mythical deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. The Fear Gorta is a Celtic creature that takes the form of a tired and weather beating man, who begs for food. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. He even calls himself God's messenger on earth. In old Irish folklore, the Cailleach was said to be a hag that was responsible for the creation of earth. The creature is scared of the substance, so any lonely travelers this Halloween night would be wise to have some on him in case they have a run-in with this headless horror! The Dullahan can also foreshadow deaths. Elln Trechend is known to emerge from a cave and embark on a rampage of destruction in a tale called the Cath Maige Mucrama. This beast appears not only in the legends of King Arhtur, 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. [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. However, all wasnt as it seemed. Although youll often hear the Oilliphist described as a Celtic monster, it was said to take on the appearance of a dragon. Another possible theory, however, is that Bram Stroker took the idea from the Irish Abhartach. Hmm. [2] Variant spellings, or readings, of the name Esus in the manuscripts of Lucan include Hesus, Aesus, and Haesus. Now known as Dearg-due, the vampire rises once a year, using her beauty to lure men to their deaths. 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. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest" of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles.The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land . The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land despite being predominantly a sea-dweller. The Abhartach, Balor of the Evil Eye, The Banshee and The Dearg Due. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. [2] The term nuckelavee derives from Orcadian knoggelvi,[3] and according to Orkney resident and 19th-century folklorist Walter Traill Dennison means "Devil of the Sea". Some versions of this legend say that the Dullahan throws buckets of blood at people he passes, while others say he simply calls out the name of the mortal that will soon die. Leanan Sidhe the evil Irish fairy-muse. Female merrows are very desirable brides as they are said to be stunningly beautiful, as well as rich because of all the treasures theyve collected from the bottom of the sea. Often portrayed in contemporary fantasy fiction and video games, this foreteller of death is the Irish version of the headless horseman. The Leanan sdhe was known to spark up relationships with humans. The origin of this creature is told in the Celtic legend about a woman who was known all over Ireland for her beauty. They take to the waters, jumps high then submerges, bringing the traveler along with them to drown. Celtic Mythology - the Gods of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Gaul A post shared by Morgana das Fadas (@morgana.das.fadas) on May 15, 2020 at 7:44am PDT. The old tales call Carman or Carmun as the Celtic goddess of evil magic. Some of the Celtic monsters were originally gods but were later demonized as pagan creatures when many of the Celts became Christians. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. A famous Irish creature that some say teams up with the Dullahan is the Banshee. Babalon, Thelemic godform of lust, carnality and the liberated woman. Scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth for Halloween They are both a muse and demon, said to prey on artists, musicians, and writers looking for inspiration. She fell in love with a peasant, which was frowned upon by her father. Patrick eventually made it to the Hawks Rock, where he waited for Caorthannach. According to legend, if you want to silence an Abhartach forever, one must find his crypt. The other story says that fairies are from the magical being called Tuatha D Danann. IrishCentral Staff. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. Unlike leprechauns, who just chill in the woods near their pots of gold, the Far Darrig roam around with giant burlap sacks, looking to kidnap people. The ancient Celts had hundreds of deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. 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. In Irish folklore, Bnnach are a supernatural race that were known to haunt battlefields. These spirits come from the west, flying in groups like flocks of birds, and try to enter a house where someone is dying to take away that persons soul. Elln Trechend was a true Celtic monster. ; Esoteric. and when the villagers forgot, I put the stones on her grave. He was invincible and could destroy any wild beast that he crossed paths with. A guardian of the Dl gCais (an Irish clan), Aibell is the Fairy Queen of Thomond. 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. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. First up is arguably the scariest of the many Irish mythology creatures / Irish monsters the Abhartach. The base Kelpie myth shows them as beautiful and captivating creatures that attract travelers and children by offering them a ride on their back. Leprechauns are not the only magical little people in Celtic mythology. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. Scholars have traced his origins back to various figures from the Celtic tradition, but he is most closely associated with the early Welsh Myrddin. 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. 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, Her name translates to red bloodsucker and, according to legend, shes a cunning vampire who seduces men and drains them of their blood. BALOR - the Irish Demon of Death (Irish mythology) IrishCentral has hunted down the ten most frightening of these Celtic and Irish demons and monsters: 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. Those that fell victim to his seductive charm ended up passing away not long after. Ladies, take note if meet a guy with seaweed on his head, dont go home with him! They spoke Goidelic languages. He collects gold and hides them in a pot at the end of the rainbow. Youve everything from scary Celtic monsters to more gentle, magical beings, below. 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. The latest Core Spirit news, articles, and products, sent straight to your inbox. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. He carries his head in one arm and a whip made out of a human spine in the other. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually it appears in the form of a horse. She is one of the Tuatha D . Their mythology survived, however, thanks largely to the efforts of later Irish and . 1. Failinis was a dog who fought in many battles. 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. Celtic Mythology | Encyclopedia.com In one story, Abcan gets captured by the great Irish warrior C Chulainn. I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. Check out those lists here: Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. 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. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water this Halloween! The Pooka, The Leprechaun, The Fairy Queen and Glas Gaibhnenn. Sounds a little bit like the story of Tir Na Nog, right?! Celtic | Mythology Explained Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. 31 Irish Mythological Creatures (Tales Told By An Irishman) These Celtic monsters were restless spirits that were said to be neither welcome in hell or heaven, so they were left to roam the lands. And you cant mention the fairies without first introducing the fairy queen. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risk falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe! They were pastoral people of Greek or Eastern origin. 2. The saint is said to have stood on the mountain now known as Croagh Patrick and expelled all the serpents and demons out of the Emerald Isle into the sea to drown. The Daoine Maithe are said to have originated either from fallen angels or they are the descendants of the Tuatha D Danann. Legendary Creatures Of Celtic Mythology A List, Top 14 Occult Symbols (and Their Surprising Meaning), 23 Popular Fertility Symbols and Their Significance, Twitching Left Eye vs. demon Fomoire, also spelled Fomhoire, in Irish myth, a race of demonic beings who posed a threat to the inhabitants of Ireland until they were defeated by the god-race, the Tuatha D Danann. Once a powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. 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. Banshee - the Irish wailing ghost. The Dullahan rides a black horse with flaming eyes, while he carries his severed head under one arm. General deities were known by the Celts throughout large regions, and are the gods and goddesses called upon for protection, healing, luck, and honour. 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. 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. In this article, well be going over some of the most legendary Celtic mythological creatures. The Cat in Celtic Lore: Demon, Witch, or Lover? - Living Library Caorthannach, thought by some to be the devils mother, is a demon that was fought off by St. Patrick when he banished the snakes out of Ireland. While they may have been the major Celtic gods and goddesses, that does not cancel out the importance of other deities of Irish mythology, like Bres or Medb, or Epona. The nuckelavee ( /nklvi/) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. The faeries are a huge part of Irish folklore and are split into two categories. This term actually has offensive origins. [3] Traill Dennison only describes a man's head with a "mouth projected like that of a pig". The Pooka is a different but equally terrifying mythological horse. He whipped out an instrument and played soothing music until C Chulainn fell asleep. She was buried near Strongbows Tree in Waterford, and one night, she rose from her grave to seek revenge on her father and husband, sucking their blood until they dropped dead. These airborne shrieking demons may have had a goat-like appearance and were associated with violence and death. However, eerily, the sonar encountered a large solid mass, which has fuelled speculation that the lake is inhabited by one of the last remaining Celtic mythological creatures. 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. My program Nelum: The First Step Toward Wellness will re-launch on September 6! Photo by Volodymyr Burdiak/shutterstock.com. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! 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. Irish and Celtic Gods and Monsters - Emerald Isle These spirits come from the west, flying in groups like flocks of birds, and try to enter a house where someone is dying to take away that persons soul. Updates? There, she would drain their blood and use it to fuel her own immortality. 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. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. People tend to view faeries as happy little Irish mythological creatures that possess a variety of magical powers. Were Irelands Viking invaders high on hallucinogenic herbal tea? The motif of Man-Wolves of Ossory is quite strong in Irish mythology and many old tales revolved around these tribes of wolf-men. The Celtic Britons inhabited most of the island of Great Britain and spoke Common Brittonic or British. This is where youll find the faeries that you wouldnt want to run into a dark alley and the Irish vampire that you wouldnt want to run into anywhere! The Morrigan - Phantom Queen in Irish Mythology | Mythology.net 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. The local deities from Celtic nature worship were the spirits of a particular feature of the landscape, such as mountains, trees, or rivers, and thus were generally only known by the locals in the surrounding areas. The most famous myths about leprechauns claim that they have pots of gold hidden at the end of rainbows. 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. The fairy was a beautiful woman who was said to give inspiration to poets and musicians but at the price of their lives. However, not long after falling in love with Leanan sdhe, its lovers passed away. Fomoire | Celtic mythology | Britannica The Leanan Sidhe is another Irish folklore creature that resembles a vampire. Nuckelavee - Wikipedia [26] Tammas managed to escape from the nuckelavee after he inadvertently splashed it with water from the loch he was alongside; this briefly distracted the monster, allowing Tammas to run over to a nearby channel of fresh water and jump to safety on the opposite bank.