The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, is a figure from Irish mythology. It has been translated as “great queen” or “phantom queen”. The Morrígan is mainly associated with war and fate, especially with foretelling doom, death, or victory in battle. In this role she often appears as a crow, the badb. She incites warriors to battle and can help bring about victory over their enemies. The Morrígan encourages warriors to do brave deeds, strikes fear into their enemies, and is portrayed washing the bloodstained clothes of those fated to die. She is most frequently seen as a goddess of battle and war and has also been seen as a manifestation of the earth- and sovereignty-goddess, chiefly representing the goddess’s role as guardian of the territory and its people. The Morrígan is often described as a trio of individuals, all sisters, called “the three Morrígna”. In mythology membership of the triad is given as Badb, Macha, and the Morrigan, who may be named Ana. The Morrígan’s earliest narrative appearances, in which she is depicted as an individual, are in stories of the Ulster Cycle, where she has an ambiguous relationship with the hero Cú Chulainn.
Description The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, is a figure from Irish mythology. It has been translated as “great queen” or “phantom queen”. The Morrígan is mainly associated with war and fate, especially with foretelling doom, death, or victory in battle. In this role she often appears as a crow, the badb. She incites warriors to battle and can help bring about victory over their enemies. The Morrígan encourages warriors to do brave deeds, strikes fear into their enemies, and is portrayed washing the bloodstained clothes of those fated to die. She is most frequently seen as a goddess of battle and war and has also been seen as a manifestation of the earth- and sovereignty-goddess, chiefly representing the goddess’s role as guardian of the territory and its people. The Morrígan is often described as a trio of individuals, all sisters, called “the three Morrígna”. In mythology membership of the triad is given as Badb, Macha, and the Morrigan, who may be named Ana. The Morrígan’s earliest narrative appearances, in which she is depicted as an individual, are in stories of the Ulster Cycle, where she has an ambiguous relationship with the hero Cú Chulainn.
