About The Morrigan
An Mórrígan is pronounced ‘On Mor-ig-awn’.
The Morrigan is one of the most important goddesses of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Anand is another name for her. Here in Kerry, Munster, she is an earth Goddess associated with The Paps of Anú mountains (Dá Chích Anann or ‘the breasts of Anu’).
It was my pleasure (and a challenge) to try and do her justice in paint around Samhain. To me The Morrigan is not just a powerful figure from Irish mythology; she also symbolises many aspects of the modern female psyche.
SEVEN INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MORRIGAN
- The Morrigan is a shapeshifter, and in most of the literature she takes the form of a crow.
- When it comes to sovereignty, she plays an active role as a guardian of territory and its people.
- In some Irish manuscripts her name is directly defined as a type of crow (Hooded, Royston, Scald Crow). In some texts she is referred to as Badb Catha which means ‘battle crow’.
- Her relationship with CúChulainn is ambiguous. They clash, and yet she tries to protect him and respects his freedom to choose his path. When he dies “she perches on his shoulder, partly in mourning, partly in triumph; partly in announcement of his death but chiefly in recognition and respect” [1]
- Another name given is Macha, who is connected to motherhood, childbirth, and horses. Through these associtions the Morrigan is sometimes referred to as a fertility Goddess.
- She is associated with change, death, battle, warfare, magic, change, prophecy and fate. In stories, The Morrigan has the power to infuse armies with terror and confusion so that they die from fear.
- Beliefs and fads have evolved, however in the Irish Pagan tradition The Morrigan does not have a ‘Maiden, Mother, and Crone’ aspect or function. [2]
The original painting will be shown in my Spring 2023 exhibition. Get in touch if you would like a gicleé print (currently sold out).
Gicleé printing
Gicleé is a process that keeps colours vibrant for 150+ years before fading starts. I get A4 prints on rich, thick paper (Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm) prepared in Ireland.
THANKS FOR READING
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Sources
[1] Rosalind Clark (1987), ‘Aspects of the Morrígan in Early Irish Literature’, Irish University Review Vol. 17, No. 2.
[2] Lora O’Brien, pagan author, guide, and educator. Former manager of The Mórrígan’s sacred site, the Cave of the Cats at Cruachán (Rathcroghan).
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