Spear of Lugh

Spear of Lugh

In Irish mythology, the Spear Lúin (originally "Luisne", meaning 'flaming' or 'glaring') or Spear of Lugh is one of the Four Treasures of Ireland (the others being the Claíomh Solais, Dagda's Cauldron and the Stone of Fál).

The Spear Luin was originally forged by the god Lugh for use against Balor of the Evil Eye. In other versions, the spear was brought by Lugh from the city of Gorias, one of the four otherworldly cities in the 'Northern Islands' from which the Tuatha Dé Danann came to Ireland.

It was this spear that won for Lugh the epithet "Lámhfhada", the 'Long-handed'. Whoever wielded it in battle would emerge victorious. [Macalister, R. A. Stewart. "Lebor Gabála Érenn". Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII, Third Redaction, ¶ 357.]

It was said to be so intensely hot that it had to be kept point-down in a large barrel of water (namely the Dagda's Cauldron "Coire Ansic" "Un-dry") so as not to burn down the place in which it was held.

Some legends state that the Spear constantly dripped blood.

A different spear of Lugh, the spear of Assal, was brought back to Lugh by the sons of Tuireann in atonement for their killing of Cian. When thrown in battle, uttering the word "ibur", the spear of Assal always hit its target; it returned to the thrower on uttering the word "athibar". [Macalister, R. A. Stewart. "Lebor Gabála Érenn". Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII, First Redaction, ¶ 319.]

ee also

* "Gáe Bulg"
* Spear of Destiny

References

*Duane, Diane. "A Wizard Abroad", 1993 Harcourt, Inc.
*Keating, Geoffrey. [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100054.html "The History of Ireland", pp205-212]

External links

* [http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/celtchar.html "The Death of Celtchar mac Uthecair"]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cuch/lgc15.htm Cuchulain of Muirthemne: XII. The Awakening of Ulster]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cuch/lgc21.htm Cuchulain of Muirthemne: XVIII. The Only Son of Aoife]


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