Tuatha Dé Danann (Celthic mythology)

Country: Ireland

In Celtic mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann was a race of gods who migrated to Ireland. It was said that Danu was their mother, so in Irish myths, these gods were often called the People of the Goddess Danu. Danu was also worshipped in other parts of Europe; she was known as Dana and Anu on the continent and as Dôn in Wales.

The Tuatha were reputed to be proficient in the use of magic and music, skills that they had learned from four wizards. According to this legend, the wizards came from four mythical cities: Falias, Gorias, Finias, and Murias. It was believed that the Tuatha traveled to Ireland on a large cloud and descended to the land in a mist. They were considered the most important of the races that invaded Ireland. Before their arrival, Danu gave the Tuatha four magical treasures. These treasures were the stone of Fal, which cried out when a true king of Ireland stood on it; the magic sword of Nuada, which dealt mortal blows; the slingshot or spear of Lugh, which was famous for its accuracy; and the cauldron of Dagda, which held an unending supply of food.

Some important members of the Tuatha were Dagda, the son of Danu and a powerful leader; Lugh, the sun god and god of arts and crafts; Lir, the god of the ocean; Nuada, the first king of the Tuatha in Ireland; and Ogma, the god of writing, eloquence, and poetry.

In Mythology

According to the myths, when the Tuatha arrived in Ireland, the country was ruled by the Firbolg. They were a pre-Celtic people who had once been slaves in Greece. They were also known as bag men because of the bags of dirt they carried while enslaved. The Firbolg were credited with dividing Ireland into five provinces. The Tuatha fought and defeated the Firbolg in the first battle of Magh Tuireadh.

The deities who made up the Tuatha Dé Danann set up their court at Tara. By most accounts, they were positive figures who ruled well. They were civilized and cultured, and they introduced new traditions and skills into the country. The original leader of the Tuatha in Ireland was Nuada. However, he lost an arm in the battle against the Firbolg. Although Dian Cecht, the god of healing, made a new silver arm for Nuada, the king abdicated his position because of his artificial limb. In some versions of the tale, he was required to resign by law because of his missing arm.

Bres, the son of a Tuatha mother and a Fomorian father, was chosen to be the next king. The Fomorians were a race of giants who were early inhabitants of Ireland. Bres, a god of agriculture, reigned for seven years, but he lacked leadership skills and was considered to be a harsh and unsuitable ruler. As a result, the Tuatha demanded that he resign, and Nuada became king once more. This development led to the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. Bres called on his Fomorian relatives to help him fight the Tuatha. Once again, the Tuatha prevailed and destroyed their enemy. Unfortunately, Nuada and his wife, Macha, a goddess of warriors, were killed in the battle. Lugh, who had used his magical powers to win the fight, became the new king.

The next invasion came from the Milesians, sometimes called the sons of Mil, or the people of the Spanish king Milesius. There are numerous stories that tell of how the Milesians came to Ireland. In one version, they were led by a poet and first traveled from Scythia in central Europe to Egypt before continuing on to Spain and Ireland. The poet pushed aside the cloud of mist left by the Tuatha, and the mighty Milesians began their invasion. This time, the Tuatha Dé Danann deities were overcome.

After their defeat, the Tuatha gods were allowed to remain in Ireland, but only as invisible beings who were confined to living underground. There, they dwelt in mounds called sidhe that were hidden from mortals. From then on, the Tuatha gods were known as the Aes sidhe, or the people of the fairy mounds—that is, the so-called little people. (In Ireland, fairies are not tiny creatures with wings; instead, they are humans with supernatural powers.)

The Milesians gave their conquered land a new name—Eriu or Eire. This was the name of a Tuatha goddess of war and fertility. Ireland is still sometimes called Eire, and the Milesians are said to be the ancestors of the country’s people.

Origins and Cults

Like myths in other cultures, Irish stories were first part of an oral tradition. According to Peter Ellis in his book Celtic Myths and Legends, "The mythology, legends, and folklore of the Celtic peoples are among the oldest and most vibrant of Europe." Historians know that Celts lived in Europe as early as 2000 BCE. They resided at the headwaters of the rivers Rhine, Rhone, and Danube. Some scholars think that the name of the goddess Danu is related to the name of the Danube.

Many of the myths were first written down in the sixth century CE as a way to preserve Irish culture. However, these manuscripts were mostly looted by the Vikings two hundred years later in the late eighth century. As a result, the best sources for these tales are from the early twelfth century.

Much of Irish mythology appeared in three cycles. The first one, the mythological cycle, is the only one that features the Tuatha. The story of the Tuatha Dé Danann was among the oldest in this first cycle and dated to pre-Christian times. A major part of the mythological cycle was a work called Lebor Gabála Érenn or Book of Invasions. Christian monks are credited as the authors of this fictitious history of Ireland.

The tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann continue to be popular in Ireland. One of these tales is called The Children of Lir. Although it was written down in the fifteenth century CE, scholars think it may date to the early oral tradition. In the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, a bronze sculpture recalls the story recounted in The Children of Lir. Familiarity with both the sculpture and the story are part of being Irish.

Bibliography

Doyle, Malachy. Tales from Old Ireland. New York: Barefoot, 2000. Print

Ellis, Peter Berresford. Celtic Myths and Legends. Philadelphia: Running Press Book Publishers, 2008. Print.

Leeming, David. The Oxford Companion to World Mythology. Oxford: Oxford UP. 2005. Print.

Lindemans, Micha F. "Tuatha Dé Danann." Encyclopedia Mythica. Encyclopedia Mythica. 6 Jan. 2003. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.

Littleton, C. Scott. "Mythology." World Book Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. Chicago: World Book Inc., 2000. 973-88. Print.

"Tuatha Dé Danann." Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2015.