Celtic Mythology

Hey everybody and welcome back to Raisa's Mythological Creature Blog! Today I'll introduce some creatures from Celtic Mythology.

Firstly is Donn Cualinge, a blackish-brown coloured bull that comes from the ancient Celtic town of Cualinge. A myth about Donn Cualinge tells that he could transform into various animal and human forms.

Badb is another Celtic creature. She is one of the three Morrigans and her name occasionally in myths appears as Nemain or Maha. A myth about Badb says that she had a pet wolf that helped her look around for dead people during battles. She can also transform into a raven.

Cat Sith is a cat fairy critter from Celtic myths. Celtics imagine them as Kellas cats, hybrids of Scottish wild cats and house cats. A myth about Cat Sith tells that this creature might not be a fairy, but a witch who could transform into a black cat with a white spot on its chest nine times.

A banshee is a spirit that haunts people if one of their family members passes away. She does that usually by wailing or screaming. A myth about banshees says that once when a banshee haunted someone, it was revealed that that spirit was the war goddess, Morrigan.

The wolf had a very important role in Celtic Mythology. Very often in mythology, men transform into wolf, for example, Gvidion and Gilvaethvy, were punished for their acts and were changed into wolves, or Cormac Macairt was raised by a she-wolf, the same like Saint Ailbe.

The companion birds of the Earth Mothers, for example, Rhiannon, Cliodna or Eponie, symbolised harmony, life and health, but the opposite for the war goddess birds, who were demonic and destructive. In mythology, birds sit on their masters' shoulders and whisper in their ear. 

The eagle was very important for Celts. The transformation (metamorphosis) from people to birds was very common, for example, Fintan lived many years as a bird. And the ladies from the other world transformed into birds when they visited their loved ones on Earth. Gods in bird form come to Earth to create heroes. The god of the sun was related to an eagle.

In Celtic Mythology, a particular wise animal was the fish. The Trout of Inspiration and the Salmon of Wisdom collected fruit that fell from a magical tree in the underworld. It was enough to eat a magic fish (which Fionn mac Cumhail did do), by having amazing knowledge. 

Not many animals were so important to the Celts than the boar. He was a holy, supernatural and magical creature, it symbolised a warrior, war, hunting, care, hospitality and fertility. The boar (along with the bear) represent spiritual power. In Celtic sagas, you will find the magical pig of the god of the dead, Manannan. Twrth Trwytha, a boar attacked by a prince, was chased by King Arthur and his knights across Ireland, Wales and Cornwall, where the boar disappeared into the Sea Abyss. Druids call themselves wild boars, perhaps because, they live alone in the forest.

Lastly is the dogs. Dogs were also very important to Celts. Mythical demons were sometimes very attractive shapes. Their companions were pretend dogs with red ears. These dogs from Lancashire galloped in the air, led by the ghost Gwynn ap Nudd. 

That's it for today! See you tomorrow for more amazing creatures! Bye!