4. Celtic myths and legends

4.1. Irish tales
The Celts were always for their storytelling. The upper and lower classes had their own bards, storytellers to captivate the long winter days. They were told of invasions, voyages, the deeds of heroes and heroines, their immortal Gods and Goddes. The storytellers pursued the lives of Celtic chiefs and kings, retelling their exploits. Their tales are found many medieval romances and are the basis for many themes in modern science fiction stories and fairy tales. (Ellis, 1999:1-7). The Fairies used to live in caves, on magical islands or in burial mounds. It is said they must be treated with respect. When they are ignored they might cause hens to stop laying eggs or the cattle to fall sick. (Harvey, 1997:28).
The best known character in a Irish fairytale is the Leprechaun – the “shoemaker”. He is small rotund, with a wrinkled face like a dried apple and dressed as a cobbler. His eyes usually have a certain mischievous twinkle about them. He seems to “have pots of money most often at the end of the rainbow, but does everything not to share them with anyone”. (Myśliński, 2003:26-27). As it is said he uses offensive language, smokes awful smelling pipes and can drink a lot of stout.
“Stop screaming like a banshee” is a popular expression and means sharp cries and wailing. The sound of banshee wailing outside a house can be a signal of death in the family. Sometimes the Banshee can be a beautiful woman, dressed in green and scarlet clothes, sometimes dressed as an old woman in shroud. Banshee can be translated as a “woman spirit” and she lives not only in old castles but in towns as well. (Myśliński, 2003:26-27).
The Red Man is a relative of the Leprechaun. “He too, is short and stocky but his face has yellow blotches, he’s a lover of red and dressers in it from hat to his tail – trailing cloak”. (Myśliński, 2003:26-27). He often plays the role of a gruesome practical joker as he has the power to imitate the sound of thunder or the voice of a dead person. He likes engaging people in his cruel tricks. So if you happen to meet him on your way, just say: “Do not mock me”. In this way you won’t take part in his macabre games. (Mysliński, 2003:26-27).
The Cluricaun – is said to be the playboy of the fairy world. He never wears work clothes but is very often dressed elegantly with silver buckles on his shoes. He is known for draining many wine cellars. (Myśliński, 2003:26-27).

4.2. Celtic myths
Celtic mythology was not written down until the Christian times. It was becouse of the pre-Christian religious prohibition of the Celts to write, mainly in their own language. Written records of myths and legends in Old Irish date from the 11th and 12th centuries. (Ellis, 1999:5-7). They are the work of Christian monks and they have to be treated carefully as there was a tendency to bowdlerize the more ancient stories about the gods and goddesses. The ancient stories are divided into four cycles of tales. (Brennan, 2003:12-13).
1. The Mythological Cycle.
2. The Ulster Cycle.
3. The Fenian Cycle.
4. The Cycle of Kings.
The most important of them is the Myth Cycle, from which we know much about the Pagan times. Thus, The Book of Invasions of the Myth Cycle tells how the first inhabitans of Ireland perished in the biblical flood. Next come the six invasions of Ireland, in which the first five invasions were led by gods or supernatural beings, the sixth was the first invasion led by humans. (Ress, 1994:26-40).
The Celtic myth cycle centres on a rich array of gods and goddesses. The Father of All Gods was Dagda, “the Good God”. “He was a master of many skills. He was a god of the Earth, a symbol of fertility, a god of wisdom, master of the science of the druids”. (Goodenought, 1997:44-46). The Tuatha De Danann was said to be the Irish equivalent of the Greek and Roman gods. Nuada was the king of Tuatha De Danann when they invaded Ireland about 350 BC. They arrived from Greece when they had learned their druidry and magic. Lug was the most celebrated king of Tuatha. His name means “shining one”. He was god of light and patron of the festival of 1st August. He was also known as Long Arm becouse of his use of a spear and sling with which he could kill everybody. The Goddesses also played an important part in Celtic myths, not to mention Brigid, Macha or Danu. They were as influential as the gods showing the power of women in Celtic society. (Goodenought, 1997:44-46).
The Ulster Cycle the tales of the Red Branch Knights who lived in the 1st century of Christianity. The greatest heroes of that time were Cuchulainn and Fin mac Cumhail. They both possessed superhuman qualities. They were the most famous among heroes and even gods. Cuchulainn was the defender of his tribe, the ideal chieftain who used his extraordinary powers for the benefit of his people. The Celtic Raid of Cualnge is the most famous of Cuchulainn’s deeds in fights between the region of Counach and Ulster. He was famous for his strenght and courage. (Brennan, 2003:12-13).
The Fenian Cycle is set in the 3rd of Christian period. These tales focus on the Fianna – warriors who were very brave and skilful in battle. Fin mac Cumhaill was the leader of the warriors known as the Fian. Fin is the central character in the collection of stories known as the Ossianic Cycle. His warriors did not accept an ordinary tribal life. They fought for whoever needed them at the time. Many of Fin’s exploits are concerned with magic and closely connected with the Otherworld. (Brennan, 2003:12-13).
The Cycle of Kings is a mixture of genuine history with symbolic fiction. There is a belief that some characters shown in this Cycle did not exist. Tara was the main seat of the ancient kings where many spiritual and magic activities were performed. (Brennan, 2003:12-13).
In spite of frequent references to a Christian god, however, Celtic mythology still can help to illustrate a pattern of beliefs that was important to people who lived many years ago. A common feature of Celtic mythology is introducing animals as symbols for a specific purpose. “They provide vitality and continued life for their tribes through their meat, skins and bones. In addition, they are a connection to the realm of spirits and gods. This connection is seen through their use in the hunt, search for secrets and wisdom”. (www.personal.umich.edu). So there are animals that are devoted to specific activities. The most common are birds, fish, serpents, deer, cattle and swine. Boars symbolize courage and strong warriors. The bristles of the boar can symbolize killing of strengh. Fish and salmon are related to knowledge. For example Cuchulainn used the salmon leap to get knowledge about Sedthach’s army.
Salmon’s wodsom can also be gained through eating. That is why nowadays children are asked to eat fish to improve their mind. Serpents and dragons symbolize troubles. They always have to be killed, otherwise they can cause infertility or any kind of destruction. (www.personal.umich.edu).
The Celt’s mythology still fascinates us, “it is engaging and infectious; Our spirits are raised by their heroes, our hearts moved by their passions and tragedies, our senses sharpened by their danger and conflicts, our curiosity aroused by their super skills in storytelling.” (Goodenought, 1997:9).

Wyświetleń: 386