Certain Animals Had a Mythological and Totemic Importance in Early Ireland.
Certain animals had a mythological and totemic importance in early Ireland. Discuss.
Animals, both domestic and wild, have long co-existed side by side with mankind, and there are very few people who do not feel affection towards one kind of an animal or another. The old saying that the dog is man’s best friend has much relevance today as in days gone by, but for generations animals where more than just friends and companions, as many of them played a central role in the rural economy of the country (O’Sullivan 1991).
The early Irish stories provide a wealth of mythology and traditions relating to animals. It is clear from the stories that animals played a large role in the Celtic consciousness, a role in which beasts where respected and not treated just like a property. They were herded, hunted and consumed, but at the same time they were perceived as being of crucial importance and had a high rank by being closely associated with the supernatural world (Green 1998).
In the continuation I will present some of the most important animals featured in the mythological traditions of early Ireland.
Early Irish society was underpinned by cattle-owning. This is clear from much of the literature. The greatest bull-story (Táin Bó Cuailngé or Cattle Raid of Cooley) symbolizes the importance of this animal and of cattle in general to the fertility and florescence of Ireland as a whole (Green 1998). The bull signifies sovereignty, bravery, manliness and strength (Ní
Bhrolcháin 2009). What is most interesting about the two bulls (in the Táin Bó Cuailngé) that they are not only supernaturally large, but they possess human levels of understandin g and intelligence (Green 1998).
According to some mythological traditions the first cows were brought to Ireland by a beautiful maiden from the sea. She brought with her three sacred cows: Bó Finn, the white cow, Bó Ruadh, the red cow, and Bó Dubh, the black cow. All the cows in Ireland are
ultimately
Animals, both domestic and wild, have long co-existed side by side with mankind, and there are very few people who do not feel affection towards one kind of an animal or another. The old saying that the dog is man’s best friend has much relevance today as in days gone by, but for generations animals where more than just friends and companions, as many of them played a central role in the rural economy of the country (O’Sullivan 1991).
The early Irish stories provide a wealth of mythology and traditions relating to animals. It is clear from the stories that animals played a large role in the Celtic consciousness, a role in which beasts where respected and not treated just like a property. They were herded, hunted and consumed, but at the same time they were perceived as being of crucial importance and had a high rank by being closely associated with the supernatural world (Green 1998).
In the continuation I will present some of the most important animals featured in the mythological traditions of early Ireland.
Early Irish society was underpinned by cattle-owning. This is clear from much of the literature. The greatest bull-story (Táin Bó Cuailngé or Cattle Raid of Cooley) symbolizes the importance of this animal and of cattle in general to the fertility and florescence of Ireland as a whole (Green 1998). The bull signifies sovereignty, bravery, manliness and strength (Ní
Bhrolcháin 2009). What is most interesting about the two bulls (in the Táin Bó Cuailngé) that they are not only supernaturally large, but they possess human levels of understandin g and intelligence (Green 1998).
According to some mythological traditions the first cows were brought to Ireland by a beautiful maiden from the sea. She brought with her three sacred cows: Bó Finn, the white cow, Bó Ruadh, the red cow, and Bó Dubh, the black cow. All the cows in Ireland are
ultimately
Bibliography: Green, M. J. (1998) Animals in Celtic Life and Myth. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Ní Bhrolcháin, M. (2009) An Introduction to Early Irish Literature. Dublin: Four courts press. O’Sullivan, P. V. (1991) Irish Superstitions and Legends of Animals and Birds. Cork: The Mercier Press.