{"id":6100,"date":"2022-05-06T14:08:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T12:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/?p=6100"},"modified":"2023-02-23T11:04:00","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T10:04:00","slug":"the-morrigan-goddess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/the-morrigan-goddess\/","title":{"rendered":"The Morrigan: Complete Guide to the Fearless Celtic Goddess of War"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:62.5%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon.jpg\" alt=\"Raven landing on a tree silhouetted by the moon\" class=\"wp-image-13565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-400x250.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-480x300.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20500'%3E%3Crect%20width='800'%20height='500'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Raven landing on a tree silhouetted by the moon\" class=\"wp-image-13565 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-300x188.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-768x480.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-400x250.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Raven-landing-on-a-tree-silhouetted-by-a-full-moon-480x300.jpg.webp 480w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The symbol of the Raven is associated with The Morrigan. (Photo: mcornelius via Depositphotos)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Goddess Morrigan &ndash; Celtic War Goddess<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan is a mysterious and <\/span><b>complex <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/celtic-gods-and-celtic-goddesses\/\">Celtic goddess<\/a> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who originated in the legends of old Irish literature.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through her associations with war and battle, she has a reputation of <\/span><b>fearlessness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ferocity, but there is more to this goddess than you may think.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She is also an undeniably strong relationship with the land and its people through her connections with <\/span><b>sovereignty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>fertility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>prosperity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gifted with the ability to both <\/span><b>shape shift<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and predict the future, this goddess could be seen as the bringer of doom and of significant victories in battles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Who is the Goddess Morrigan?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6103 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Warrior_Woman_nemke.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6103\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Warrior_Woman_nemke.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6103 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Warrior_Woman_nemke.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Morrigan Goddess is mainly associated with war and battles, but there are other sides to her complex character. Photo: nemke via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Celtic mythology, the Morrigan is the ancient Irish goddess associated with <\/span><b>war<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>prophecy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <\/span><b>warrior queen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Celts has many attributes, most notably her ability to shapeshift and predict death. Her presence is usually one of foreboding, but she is also able to foretell battle victories.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She is part of the <strong>Tuatha de Danann<\/strong>, the warrior race of gods and ferocious warriors. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were one of the six groups of people, that over the course of history, are said to have settled in Ireland according to the <\/span><b><i>Lebor gab&aacute;la &Eacute;renn<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or <\/span><b>Book of Invasions)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dated to about the 11th century.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How the Tuatha de Danann came to Ireland is told in the <\/span><b><i>Cath Maige Tuired<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or The Battle of Mag Tuired). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan Goddess is thought to have played a role in foretelling the fall of the Fomorians in the second battle of the Tuatha de Danann in this story.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n                <div class=\"ml-form-embed\" data-account=\"1451834:z8v5q8j9c3\" data-form=\"1342994:q3e2p6\">\n                <\/div>\n            \n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What are the powers of the Morrigan?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan&rsquo;s powers were wide ranging and included the ability to:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><b>Predict the future<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and act as an omen of doom and death<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Power to <\/span><b>influence the outcome of battle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Shapeshift<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into any form&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Names of the Morrigan Celtic Goddess<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many names have been attributed to the Morrigan goddess, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morr&iacute;gan<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morrigu<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Queen of Demons<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Queen of Nightmares<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celtic Raven Goddess<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irish Goddess of War<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celtic Goddess of War<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the most accurate translation of the Morrigan meaning of the modern Irish form <\/span><b><i>M&oacute;r-R&iacute;oghain<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is thought to be <\/span><b>Great Queen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>Phantom Queen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What three goddesses make up the Morrigan?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make matters a little more complicated, the Morrigan is thought of as both a <\/span><b>single goddess <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and also a<\/span><b> triple goddess<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along with her sisters&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The names of the sisters vary depending on the source. Usually, they are named as <\/span><b>Badb<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Macha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The third sister is sometimes called <\/span><b>Nemian<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>Anand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, however some texts also seem to confirm that Anand is another name for the Morrigan.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the form of a trio, the war goddesses are collectively referred to as the <\/span><b>M&oacute;rrigna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are believed to be the younger daughters of Ernmas. The eldest daughters being the land goddess&nbsp;<\/span><b>&Eacute;riu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Banba<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>F&oacute;dla<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are all synonyms for Ireland.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>The Morrigan Triple Goddess<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is quite possible that the trio of sisters was used to identify three different aspects of the&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan&rsquo;s traits, as this occasionally occurs in Celtic mythology. Thus the Celtic goddesses Morrigan can be thought of as both a single and a triple goddess.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The connection of the war goddess Morrigan and crows is likely to come from <\/span><b><i>Badb<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meaning <\/span><b>Crow,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b><i>Badb Catha<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which refers to <\/span><b>Battle Crow<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Irish.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this form, the Badb goddess could traverse at will between the real world and the afterlife. This enabled her to <\/span><b>foresee the future<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including predicting the outcomes of battles and violent deaths.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6105 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Hores_County_galway_Adam_Kacmarek.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6105\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Hores_County_galway_Adam_Kacmarek.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6105 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Hores_County_galway_Adam_Kacmarek.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>There is a strong association between Macha livestock, particularly horses. Photo: Adam Kaczmarek via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Macha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the aspect of <\/span><b>sovereignty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is connected with the land and its fertility, as well as the procreation of livestock. She is often <\/span><b>associated with horses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the origin of her name possibly comes from a grassy plain, used to graze animals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Nemian<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was connected with <\/span><b>crazed rage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and fury of war. Some accounts suggest that her scream alone was thought to be enough to frighten a man to death.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both Badb and Nemian are thought to have been the wives of Neit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What is Morrigan the goddess of?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6118 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Defensive_Ring_Fort_Shawn_Williams.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6118\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Defensive_Ring_Fort_Shawn_Williams.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6118 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Defensive_Ring_Fort_Shawn_Williams.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The ancient defensive ring fort, Grian&aacute;n of Aileach in County Donegal, is connected with the legends of the Tuatha D&eacute; Danann. Photo: Shawn Williams via Canva <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The influence of the Morrigan in Celtic culture was wide ranging, but she was primarily thought to be the goddess of war, with formidable influence over fertility and sovereignty.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>War Goddess<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan is primarily the <\/span><b>goddess of war<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. She was a fearless figure, with the ability to shapeshift into any form.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the Celts, the crow has been seen as a <\/span><b>symbol of war<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and destruction, as well as being an <\/span><b>instigator of conflict <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and unrest.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not surprising then that the crow was the form that the war goddess often took on the battlefield.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She was known to <\/span><b>incite wars<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among people and <\/span><b>invoke panic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, rage and fury among the warring factions on the battlefield.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, her presence may give <\/span><b>courage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>strength<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a particular side and thus influence the outcome of the battle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Fertility Goddess<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a strong association between the Morrigna and fertility, in terms of her her own <\/span><b>sexual allure <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and her abilites to <\/span><b>influence the productivity of the land<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and its animals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She presents herself in various female forms from a seductive young woman, to an old hag and several stories depict her seducing men, or even predicting victory in battle after she sleeps with them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Sovereignty<\/b> <b>Goddess<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a Goddess, the Morrigan also served as protector or <\/span><b>guardian of the land and its people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the role as the <\/span><b>sovereignty goddess<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, she was the one to keep <\/span><b>balance in nature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regarding the prosperity and fertility of the land and its livestock.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If anything or anyone threatened the land, animals or people, the Morrigan would become a <\/span><b>defensive protector<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>The Morrigan Symbol &ndash; The Morrigan Crow<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6107 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Crow_observing_kytalpa.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6107\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Crow_observing_kytalpa.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6107 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Crow_observing_kytalpa.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>As a shapeshifter, the Morrigan could decide what form to present herself in, although she is generally most associated with the symbol of a crow. Photo: kytalpa via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><b>shapeshifter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Celtic goddess Morrigan took many forms, both of living creatures such as a <\/span><b>wolf<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and an <\/span><b>eel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as well as a <\/span><b>pool of water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, however, the Morrigan goddess symbol is most commonly associated with the <\/span><b>crow<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before a battle, the Morrigan sometimes appeared as an ominous <\/span><b>washer woman<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (also known as a <\/span><b><i>Bean nighe<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Scots Gaelic or type of <\/span><b><i>Ban-s&iacute;th<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>banshee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Irish).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some visions, the woman weeping in a river while <\/span><b>washing bloodstained clothing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, appeared as a beautiful young maiden, other times, she took the form of an old woman.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bloodstained clothes and armour were a very <\/span><b>ominous sign<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and predicted a violent death to whoever they belonged to.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Stories of the Celtic War Goddess Morrigan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many tales involving the Celtic Morrigan goddess. In early stories of the <\/span><b>Ulster Cycles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Irish mythology, she often took a human form and in later stories she transformed herself into animals and water.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two of the more popular stories often found in books about Celtic mythology involve the Morrigan&rsquo;s encounters with <\/span><b>Dagda<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>C&uacute;<\/b> <b>Chulainn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>M&oacute;rrigan and Dagda<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6115 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Full_moon_at_night_ToddSm66.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6115\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Full_moon_at_night_ToddSm66.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6115 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Full_moon_at_night_ToddSm66.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The eve of Samhain is a particular important night in the Celtic calendar. Photo: ToddSm66 via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The festival of <\/span><b>Samhain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (on November 1st) is one of the most important in the Celtic year and celebrates the end of the old year and beginning of the new.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the eve of the Samhain (October 31) the connection between the Otherworld and the real world were thought to be at their weakest, allowing spirits to pass back and forth. This gave rise to the idea of Halloween.)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each year, the Morrigan was thought to play a significant role in determining the success and prosperity of the coming year.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the goddess and the Dagda, the King of the Tuatha d&eacute; Danann (and her husband according to some versions), <\/span><b>united sexually<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at this time year year, the <\/span><b>harvests and livestock<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the coming year would be the coming year would <\/span><b>prosper<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and flourish.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, the Dagda is said to have coupled with the Morrigan in exchange for a plan so that he and his warriors could win an upcoming battle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Morr&iacute;gan and Cu Chulainn<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of all the stories of the Morrigan goddess, one stands out more than the others. The famous tale of the rejection, magic and war that lead to the downfall of the greatest Irish legend of all time, <\/span><b>C&uacute; Chulainn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the epic poem of <\/span><b><i>T&aacute;in B&oacute; Cuailnge<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or the <\/span><b>Cattle Raid of Cooley<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Queen Medb<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the province Connacht set out to capture the sacred bull, <\/span><b><i>Donn Cuailnge<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Ulster.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to a curse placed on them by Macha (one of the three aspects or sisters of the Morrigan) many years before, the men of Ulster were unable to defend their precious bull and the task fell to mighty warrior, C&uacute; Chulainn.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His famous battle skills were put to the test against the best of Queen Medb&rsquo;s warriors.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One by one, the warriors tried to defeat C&uacute; Chulainn in single combat at fords, yet outperformed them all and emerged victorious after each attack.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan was undoubtedly impressed by this fearsome warrior who single-handedly managed to beat back an army and decided to <strong>seduce<\/strong> him.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presenting herself in the form of a beautiful, young princess, she tried unsuccessfully to win his love and affection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C&uacute; Chulainn probably had other things on his mind at the time and rejected her offer. This greatly offended the Morrigan and she set about seeking her revenge upon him.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6113 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Eel_Michel_Viard.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6113\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Eel_Michel_Viard.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6113 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Eel_Michel_Viard.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An eel was just one of the animal form that the Morrigan transformed into during her conflict with C&uacute; Chulainn. Photo: Michel VIARD via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At first she transformed herself into an <\/span><b>eel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As C&uacute; Chulainn prepared for another combat, she attempted to trip him in the ford.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C&uacute; Chulainn stepped on the eel and broke its ribs, but he himself was not injured during&nbsp; the encounter.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This infuriated the Morrigan so she decided to once again exact her revenge. Next came the Morrigan <\/span><b>wolf<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> transformation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She morphed into a large wolf and chased cattle towards C&uacute; Chulainn. The herd of animals charged towards the warrior. With lightning speed, he took his slingshot and aimed at the wolf, hitting the animal in the eye and blinding it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6111 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Cattle_stampede_incposterco.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6111\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Cattle_stampede_incposterco.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6111 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Cattle_stampede_incposterco.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Morrigan also started a cattle stampede in her attempts to get revenge on C&uacute; Chulainn. Photo: incposterco via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once again the Morrigan transforms, this time into a <\/span><b>white heifer without horns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and tries again to lead the cattle in a stampede towards C&uacute; Chulainn. This time he manages to break her leg and after this third failed attempt she does not try again to defeat him in the form of an animal.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, she transformed into an <\/span><b>old woman milking a cow<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In this form, C&uacute; Chulainn failed to notice her blind eye and broken leg and gratefully accepted the offer of milk.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He thanked and blessed the old woman, <\/span><b>healing her injuries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the process and only then realised that it was the Morrigan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Morrigan prophesied that C&uacute; Chulainn would have a <\/span><b>violent death<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before his last battle, he is thought to have seen the Morrigan as the washer woman, cleaning bloodied clothes in the river.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C&uacute; Chulainn was mortally wounded in combat as the Morrigan had predicted. He tied himself to a post, to confuse his enemies and so that he would die in peace. It was only when a crow landed on his shoulder that his enemies finally knew that he had died.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Historical Sites Connected to the Morrigan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone is-resized wp-image-6109 size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Landscape_of_Armagh_Slieve_Gullion_rick734s_Images.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6109\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Landscape_of_Armagh_Slieve_Gullion_rick734s_Images.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6109 lazyload\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Landscape_of_Armagh_Slieve_Gullion_rick734s_Images.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-9\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>County Armagh is strongly associated with Macha. Photo: rick734&rsquo;s Images via Canva<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the likely origin of the Morrigan in the <\/span><b>Ulster Cycles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Irish Mythology, it may not come as a surprise that there are still some places associated with the goddess in Northern Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">County Armagh has some interesting connections. The name of <\/span><b>Armagh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> originally comes from <\/span><b><i>Ard Macha<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This roughly means &ldquo;<\/span><b>Macha&rsquo;s high Place<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&rdquo; in Irish.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Navan fort<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is called <\/span><b><i>Eamhain Mhacha<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Irish, is thought to either mean <\/span><b>Macha&rsquo;s twins<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (due to the twin hills) or <\/span><b>Macha&rsquo;s brooch<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (because of its shape).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One story tells of Macha&rsquo;s husband, <\/span><b>Cruinniuc<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, telling the king of Ulster of the amazing strength and speed of his wife, boasting that she could outrun his prized horses. Macha was then made to compete against the horses, even though she was heavily pregnant.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She gave birth on the finishing line and in her dying wish, <\/span><b>cursed the men of Ulster<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, stating that in their time of need, let them be as vulnerable as a woman in childbirth.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This impact of Macha&rsquo;s dying wish was seen in <\/span><b><i>T&aacute;in B&oacute; C&uacute;ailnge<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or the Cattle Raid of Cooley), as previously mentioned <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when the Ulster men were weakened by the lasting effects of her curse leaving C&uacute; Chulainn to single handedly defend against Queen Medb&rsquo;s warriors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy this post? Find out more about <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/irish-culture\/\">Irish Celtic Culture<\/a>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including <\/span><b><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsgoireland.com\/celtic-gods-and-celtic-goddesses\/\">Celtic Gods and Goddesses<\/a><\/strong><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in our other posts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of them, we might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you).<\/em> <em>Thanks for your support!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Goddess Morrigan &ndash; Celtic War Goddess The Morrigan is a mysterious and complex Celtic goddess who originated in the legends of old Irish literature.&nbsp; Through her associations with war and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[145,90,146],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Morrigan: Guide to the Fearless Celtic Goddess of War<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Morrigan is a mysterious Celtic goddess from Irish Celtic 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