Tuatha De Danann: Mythical Race Of God-Like Beings With Supernatural Abilities In Celtic Mythology
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Thousands of years ago, a god-like race of Tuatha De Danann ("children of Dana") came to Ireland. They brought four magical treasures, widely mentioned in early Irish literature.
These treasures included Lia Fail ("The Stone of Destiny"), the sword of Lugh ("Invincible Spear"), the Sword of Nuada -"Shining Sword," and the Cauldron of the Dagda.
Tuatha De Danann is said to have come to Ireland from the north of Europe, where they had spent many years learning arts and magic. They were large, strong, and beautiful beings that mingled with mortals and remained superior to them.
People believed they were a race of gods or demigods with supernatural powers, human traits and personalities, and a large variety of skills in art, crafts, music, language, love, and war. There were also Druids among them.
Arrival Of Tuatha De Danann
The 'Annals of the Four Masters' (also known as the 'Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland') described medieval Irish history and were compiled by Franciscan monks.
The story of the Tuatha De Danann, a mythical race of god-like beings with supernatural abilities, is told in these chronicles. They came to Ireland across the seas in the mists or a cloud.
Myths and legends also confirm that their arrival produced a magical mist so thick that no one could see their appearance. Some other versions say that they burned their ships to camouflage their arrival and thus, hide from the inhabitants of this land.
Four Magical Treasures Of Tuatha De Danann - read more
Their principal residences were Brug na Boinne, a district along the river Boyne near Stackallen Bridge in Leinster, one of the provinces situated in the east of Ireland, and the fairy-mound (sidhe = shee) of Femin in Tipperary, in the southwestern part of the country.
The Tuatha De Danann Produced Several Important Leaders
Each member of the Tuatha De Danann (Tuatha Dé Danann) has a special significance, skill, or capacity. Many of the tribe's most famous characters and qualities were mentioned in countless tales set centuries apart, and these sources showed them to be immortal.
One of the prominent members of the Tuatha was Dagda. He was a chief god associated with fertility, agriculture, strength, magic, Druidry, and wisdom.
Other personalities include Morrígan, a goddess of war and fate, and Nuada, the first king of the Tuatha De Danann; Angus (Aengus), a god of youth, beauty, and love; Brigid, a fiery goddess of poetry who protects storytellers and bards; Creidne, a god of metalworking who worked with brass and bronze and forged the weapons, which the Tuatha De Danann used to battle the Fomorians.
Another mythological figure among Tuatha De Danann was Boann (wife of Dagda and mother of Angus). Boann was the Irish river goddess who gave her name to the River Boyne;
We must not forget about Dian Cecht, a god of healing and medicine, and his two children, Miach and Airmid, and Goibniu, a god of metalsmithing. In Tuatha De Danann tradition, Manannán mac Lir, a god of the sea; Lugh, god of light, sun, and crafts; and his father, Cian, also play a crucial role.
"The Coming of the Sons of Miled", illustration by J. C. Leyendecker in T. W. Rolleston's Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race, 1911
Donn was a god of the dead and the Otherworld, while Luchta, a god of the craft, helped make magical weapons for the tribe, and Ogma was a master of eloquence and language.
Two Victorious Battles Of Tuatha De Danann
The tribe is associated with two great battles of Mag Tuired. In the first of them, they fought the Fir Bolg for the ownership of Ireland, and the Tuatha de Danann won this battle. The Fir Bolg people were offered the Connacht province in Ireland, and the two sides lived peacefully.
In the Second Battle of Mag Tuired, they confronted their traditional rivals, the Fomorians, a symbol of nature's destructive or harmful powers. In this military encounter, the Tuatha were also victorious; however, it was a hard battle. The Fomorian king Balor's poisonous eye killed Nuada, the first king of the Tuatha De Danann, but his grandson, Lugh, killed Balor himself.
Balor struck down many Tuatha De Danann, and he could conquer them all, but first, he had to meet his grandson, Lugh, and confront his skills with his deadly eye. Despite being half-Fomorian, Lugh fought on the side of the Tuatha De Danann, and he played an essential role in the Fomorians' downfall.
Tuatha Dé Danann And The Milesians
For many years, the Tuatha De Danann ruled Ireland in peace until the invasion of the Milesians, a tribe of people.
The "Book of Invasions" says that the Milesians, the last mythical invaders of Ireland and the genuine Gaelic people of Ireland, arrived on Ireland's shores. The Tuatha De Danann tried to fight the invaders; they even created a magical storm to drive them away. The Milesian poet Amergin, however, calmed the sea with his invocation, and then his people landed.
The three queens of the Tuatha De Danann (Banba, Eriu, and Fódla) permitted Amergin and his people to settle in Ireland. Each of the sisters required Amergin to name the island after each.
The Milesian chief decided to call the island after Eriu, and the names of her two sisters were poetic names for Ireland. Then, the Milesians defeated the Tuatha De Danann. Amergin assigned his people to live on the ground while the Tuatha De Danann were led underground into the 'Sidhe' mounds by Manannán mac Lir.
The fairy people of Irish folklore are said to live beneath the hills and are often identified as the remnant of the ancient fabulous race of Tuatha De Danann.
The Irish myths and legends say that 'Sidhe' is the abode of immortals and fairy creatures. Mag Mell is one of such places where the Tuatha De Danann are believed to live forever.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Monaghan, P. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore
More From Ancient Pages
-
Maori God Pourangahua And His Flying Bird Traversing The Ancient Skies
Featured Stories | Oct 4, 2015 -
Mystery Of Queen Semiramis: Famous And Powerful Ancient Ruler And Warrior Queen
Featured Stories | Feb 15, 2018 -
Controversial 5,500-Year-Old Sumerian Star Map Of Ancient Nineveh Reveals Observation Of Köfels’ Impact Event
Artifacts | Dec 28, 2018 -
Unique Ancient Three-Headed Eagle Pendant Discovered In Finland: A Symbol Of Three Different Human Souls
Ancient Symbols | May 6, 2016 -
Quest For Legendary Ophir – The Biblical El Dorado
Biblical Mysteries | Dec 16, 2016 -
New Cosmic Ray Bombardment Of The Great Pyramid – Search For The Hidden Chamber Continues
Archaeology | Jan 20, 2020 -
Extraordinary Discovery Of First Viking Tower In Viborg, Denmark Re-Writes Viking History
Archaeology | Jan 30, 2017 -
Sword-Kladenets – Hidden Treasure Awaiting A Worthy Hero
Featured Stories | Feb 15, 2021 -
6,500-Year-Old Pottery Belongs To Unknown Ancient Culture That Lived In Ecuador
Archaeology | Aug 7, 2019 -
On This Day In History: Amelia Earhart, Most Famous Female Pilot – Disappeared Over The Pacific Ocean – On July 2, 1937
News | Jul 2, 2016 -
Strange Ancient Mechanical Flying Animals – Mystery Of The Air Castle – Part 2
Featured Stories | Mar 31, 2020 -
First 5th Century Mosaic Found Near Cirencester Once The Second-Largest Roman-British Town In England
Archaeology | Dec 16, 2020 -
Yenikapı Excavations Reveal 8,500-Year-Old Artifacts
Archaeology | Jan 10, 2016 -
Mysterious Sumerian Statues With Big Blue Eyes – A Sign From The Gods
Civilizations | Feb 23, 2017 -
Famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok – Legendary Fearless Sea-King Of The North
Featured Stories | Apr 24, 2016 -
Arsinoe II Rose To Power Through Manipulations, Murder, Conspiracies And Became Worshiped As A Goddess
Featured Stories | Apr 26, 2019 -
On This Day In History: ‘Battle On The Ice’ – Army Of Prince Nevsky Against Teutonic Knights – On Apr 5, 1242
News | Apr 5, 2016 -
Secrets Of Ancient Skeletons Found In York – Who Were They And Where Did They Come From?
Archaeology | Jan 20, 2016 -
Aboriginal Legends Tell Millennia-Old Stories Of Events In The Sky
Myths & Legends | Mar 6, 2015 -
The Thunder Stone: World’s Largest Monolith Moved By Man
Ancient History Facts | Jun 14, 2018