The goddess Freyja was the goddess of love, sorcery and death. Dullahan. Donn Cúailnge. The goddess Freyja taught the chief god Odin the art of witchcraft and sorcery. Irish mythology tells us that Samhain was one… Gods are often known by several names. Irish mythology was originally a spoken tradition, but much of it was eventually written down in the Middle Ages by Christian monks, who Christianised it to some extent. Kilkenny Cat, fighting cat of Irish legend Manticore , a Persian legendary creature with a human head on the body of a lion Nekomata , shape-shifting cats from stories of … In ancient Scottish and Irish folklore, an oversized black cat with a trademark white patch on its chest, called the Cat Sìth, skulks around at night looking for souls to steal. Good Cats. Prowling the night with glowing eyes, showing extraordinary physical flexibility and agility, cats were believed to seek the companionship of old women who practiced magic as witches. 100+ Brown Cat Names – Choose the Best Name for a Brown Kitten ... 14 Great Photos of Irish Wolfhounds. The church is known to have treated cats appallingly. 1. Cats were associated with the evil powers and brutally killed or burned alive with thousands … This place was served food and drink without looking directly at … The Celtic deities are known from a variety of sources such as written Celtic mythology, ancient places of worship, statues, engravings, religious objects, as well as place and personal names.. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general deities and local deities. Irish mythology tells us that Samhain was one… Irish legendary mortal. Since the names can be a little daunting for English speakers, I will use English nicknames as I describe each fairy. Freyja’s cat-driven chariot. ... Irish fabulous creature of Cats. Using the myth of Medea as a starting point, playwright Marina Carr has created a modern story of oppression, alienation – and magic. Everything from gods and goddesses, to nymphs and even mystic locations, can make great names for your kitten or cat. This deadly Irish mythological creature can be found widely in Irish folklore. Here’s a brief history of cats in folklore, and what they meant to some very different peoples and cultures in times gone by… Cat mythology in the Far East Chinese cat mythology. On Samhain Eve, supper was served in absolute silence, and one place was set at the head of the table “for the ancestors”. ... Other cat superstitions see black cats as lucky for British and Irish sailors. The Mórrígan (also Morrigan, Morrígu, Mór-Ríoghain) is a striking figure from Irish mythology: known variously as an Irish Goddess, native Pagan deity in Ireland, or supernatural figure if we’re looking academically at Medieval Irish literature. This is a type of fairy in ancient mythology. Cats in mythology and jewellery. Mythology is a great place to turn for names brimming with meaning. The Norse goddess Freyja, deity of love, fertility, war, wealth, divination and magic, rode in a chariot pulled by two giant gray cats given to her by the god Thor. There are many beautiful names of Irish origin that refer to geography or abstract concepts that will suit both male and female cats. Nevertheless, these tales may shed some light on what Samhain meant and how it was marked in ancient Ireland. In olden times, a cat’s coat color often sealed her fate. The legends surrounding this creature are more common in Scottish folklore, but a few occur in Irish. The king of cats widely known in Irish written and oral tradition. The cait sidhe are not ordinary cats, but rather fairies, witches, and other spirit-realm-type creatures taking the form of a cat. Their names may be a little odd to non-Irish readers, but they are also beautiful. Unanimously, the cat represents the guardian of the Otherworld (or Underworld, depending which texts you read from various regions). Stoic, silent and mysterious, cats fit the bill of Otherworld guardians quite well. Tír na nog. Superstition #3: Black Cats Are Good Luck. Salmon of Knowledge. This was probably the source of the "cats have nine lives" wive's tale. Nevertheless, these tales may shed some light on what Samhain meant and how it was marked in ancient Ireland. Slavic mythology is full of colorful tales of gods, fairies, magic, and cats! We've chosen some place names from all parts of the island because of their sound; if you have Irish heritage it can be a very good idea … In Irish mythology the Cat Sìth was not a fairy but instead a witch who could turn into a cat a maximum of nine times, with the ninth they would be stuck as a cat forever. Irish folklore declared that tortoiseshell cats brought good fortune. Having a cat like Tiddles on board was a great way to take good fortune with you. Years later, the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) slays the eagle and frees Prometheus from the eagle’s torment. Celtic Cat: By way of the Egyptians to Romans, and from Romans to Celts came the transference of the symbolism of cats. Irish mythology has many powerful and interesting women. Atropos, Clotho and Lachesis (female) - If you happen to get three cats at once, you can name them after the three Fates from Greek mythology. These witch names would be good for cats and dogs, too! Áine (female) - In Irish mythology, the Queen of Fairies and goddess of summer. Nobody had better knowledge of sorcery than Freyja. The half-dog, half-otter is a land- and water-dwelling creature that feasts on human flesh. An Irish legend tells of a cat that dwells in the Otherworld called ‘Little Cat’. There are many examples of the hare having connections with the Otherworld in Irish mythology and folklore. Supernatural Creatures in Scottish Folklore ...this is a list of them. Irish legendary place. Both witches and cats were believed to have the power to control or predict the weather. The Cat Sìth (Scottish Gaelic: [kʰaht̪ ˈʃiː]) or Cat Sidhe (Irish: [kat̪ˠ ˈʃiː], Cat Sí in new orthography) is a fairy creature from Celtic mythology, said to resemble a large black cat with a white spot on its breast. Cat Mythology Fact #2: This sacred animal was so important to the Egyptian society and religion, that after the cat's death, its body was mummified and buried in a special cemetery.. Also, the Egyptians had strict laws prohibiting the export of cats. Many Irish and Scottish Celts appeased their dead with a traditional Dumb Supper. Legend has it that the spectral cat haunts the Scottish Highlands. Irish mythology contains a large number of heroes and benevolent gods for you to name your dog after; whereas the gods of the Greek Pantheon have become known for their acts of lechery as equally as they've become known for their acts of bravery, and the gods of the Norse Pantheon have become just as synonymous with savagery as they have with shamanism, various members of the … 170 Cat Names For Male And Female Inspired by Greek Mythology. We have tried to collect as many Holy Aliases as possible. In ancient Egypt, black cats were held in the highest esteem because they resembled Bastet, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, and protection from disease. He is said to have been as large as an ox and living in a cave at Knowth on the Boyne. She is the Irish goddess of death, destiny, and fertility. These black cats have much of the ferocity of true wild cats and there is a formidable-looking specimen in Elgin museum! Read More . Black cats are also believed to bring good luck in many ways. In ancient Chinese mythology, the cat goddess Li Shou was given the almighty task of running the world on behalf of the other gods. By the Bog of Cats was produced in Chicago in 2001 by the late Irish Repertory Theatre. The King of the Cats (or The King o' the Cats) is a folk tale from the British Isles. There are many supernatural creatures to be found in Scottish/Gaelic folklore, Scotland has a rich Culture going back over 2,000 years.Scottish mythology has emerged throughout our history, stories were then passed on by word of mouth sometimes being elaborated upon by successive generations Baobhan Sith… In fact, The Cattle Raid of Cooley both began and ended here. The 37-metre-long Cave of the Cats lies under the ancient capital of Connacht, seat of Queen Medb’s power and the scene of much of the action in the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology. In Morayshire there have been confirmed reports of ‘Kellas Cats’, which are thought to be hybrids between wildcats and feral domestic cats. If you are willing to name your dog with an Irish name that would be a good choice, since it’s unique and beautiful. She credits Greek mythology as an influence on her work, especially the development of strong female characters such as Hester Swane. Below are descriptions of 4 different groups of fairies from Slavic Mythology that were all known to take the form of a cat. Both versions are pronounced “caught shee” and translate into English as “fairy cat.” For the sake of simplicity, and because I’m of Irish decent, I will use “cait sidhe” for this article. By the Bog of Cats continues at The Artistic Home, 1376 W. Grand Ave., through March 26. Also Irish tradition and cultures are full of inspiration and commonly recognized around the world. Cats in Norse mythology. A Buddhist superstition states that a dark-colored cat promises gold, while a double-clawed cat (polydactyl) is a potent bearer of good fortune. 1. And when you think about it, cats help keep … The Gods, Goddesses, Spirits and legendary characters of Irish mythology. In one story, Senchán Torpéist, the chief bard of Ireland, was disgusted when he saw mice walking upon the banquet table … So, here is our full list of Irish cat name ideas for your cute little kitten. Morrígan. A deity or triple goddess that sometimes appeared as a crow. Milesius. “By the Bog of Cats” is a grim play: brilliantly designed, staged, and performed by the Abbey Theater in Dublin. Hares are associated with spring, thus with the Goddess of the season, and represented love, fertility and growth. Donn Cúailnge is a bull that features in Irish ancient folklore. The beautiful goddess Freyja in Norse mythology had a carriage drawn by two cats. The History of Cats — Cats in the Ancient World. Irish fabulous creature of Knowledge. ... the cat was much admired for its independence, stealth and hunting prowess. Aja (female) - The goddess of the forest in Yoruban mythology. Cats brought the Black Death and worked with the Devil. The cat-sìth (Scottish Gaelic: [kʰaʰt̪ ˈʃiː], plural cait-shìth), in Irish cat sí (Irish: [kat̪ˠ ˈʃiː]) is a fairy creature from Celtic mythology, said to resemble a large black cat with a white spot on its chest.Legend has it that the spectral cat haunts the Scottish Highlands.The legends surrounding this creature are more common in Scottish folklore, but a few occur in Irish. Wogan. As this religion no longer as any followers (except for feline species) it has settled into the world of mythology. 14 Reasons Why A Cocker Spaniel Should Be Your Best Companion Ever ... We have special categories for dogs, cats, exotic pets, and house pets. Irish mythology was originally a spoken tradition, but much of it was eventually written down in the Middle Ages by Christian monks, who Christianised it to some extent.