The Intriguing Tale of Etain and the Wooing Contests
In ancient Irish mythology, the story of Etain unfolds through intricate tales of deceit, love, and magic. The narrative revolves around the characters Etain, The Dagda, Engus, Elcmar, Boand, Mider, and more. Deceitful schemes, unexpected twists, and magical transformations shape the events as the characters face challenges and pursue their desires. The story spans generations, revealing a world filled with enchanting legends and complex relationships.
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Triangle: Beheading Contest CHAMPION S PORTION WOMAN KINGSHIP YOUNG MAN OLD MAN (GIANT CHURL)
Wooing of Etain [T1] Echu Ollathir (Rider Oldfather = The Dagda) tricks Elcmar (Spiteful), Lord of Bruig na B inde (Newgrange), into leaving his kingdom, then magically makes his nine-month absence seem to him like a single day, so that The Dagda can impregnate Elcmar's wife Boand (White Cow) and she can give birth to engus macc c (Angus son of Youth). The child is given to Mider (Judge) to raise as his foster-son.
Wooing of Etain [T2] When he reaches maturity, engus learns the identity of his true father and visits him in order to get his inheritance. The Dagda teaches engus how to trick Elcmar out of his kingship of Bruig na B inde.
Wooing of Etain [T3] Mider later visits engus, and is accidentally injured when a yew branch hits his eye. Though healed by Dian C cht, Mider demands as compensation the most beautiful woman in Ireland. This is ta n, daughter of Ailill (Elf). Both The Dagda and engus win her for him by terraforming. When Mider returns home with ta n, his wife F amnach (Lamentation) uses druid magic to turn ta n into a pool of water. The water turns into a worm, then a fly (or butterfly). F amnach causes a strong wind to blow the butterfly out to sea, where it remains for seven years.
Wooing of Etain [T4] ta n the butterfly is rescued by engus, who keeps her in a crystal cage. When F amnach discovers this, she blows her far away into Ulaid, where she falls into the cup of the wife of King tar. The woman swallows ta n, becomes pregnant, and gives birth to ta n (= ta n g [ ta n the Young]) 1012 years after her first birth as the daughter of Ailill. engus beheads F amnach.
Wooing of Etain Another 1000 years pass. The Tuatha D Danann now live beneath the earth in their s de and the mortal Milesians rule above ground.
Wooing of Etain [T5] The Milesian King Echu Airem (Rider Plowman) seeks a bride to legitimize his kingship; learning that ta n daughter of King tar is the most beautiful woman in Ireland, he takes her as his queen. One of Echu Airem's brothers, Aillil Angubae (Warlike Elf), falls lovesick for ta n. When Echu Airem leaves on a royal circuit of Ireland, Ailill confesses his love for ta n, and she agrees to heal him with love in a hilltop house outside the palace. At the appointed hour, a magical sleep comes over Aillil and an imposter sleeps with ta n. This happens on three successive nights, after which the imposter reveals himself to be Mider, her original husband and a Tuatha D Danann king among the s de. He explains that he caused Ailill's passion for ta n in order to arrange a reunion with her. She agrees to go away with him only if her mortal husband Echu Airem consents.
Wooing of Etain [T6] Mider plays fidchell with Echu and deliberately loses twice after having bet large stakes. Echu sets terraforming tasks for Mider to perform; he does these by night with a labor force from the s dh. Echu and Mider play fidchell a third time. Mider wins, and demands an embrace and kiss from ta n. Echu reluctantly agrees on condition that Mider wait one month. Mider returns at the appointed time, and despite a heavy guard that Echu has placed around ta n, Mider transforms himself and ta n into swans; they escape through a skylight.
Wooing of Etain [T7] Echu mounts an army and besieges Mider's s dh for over a year. Echu insists that he never gave permission for Mider to take ta n, and Mider agrees to bring her back to him the next day. At the appointed time, Mider appears with 50 women identical to ta n in appearance and demands that Echu pick which one is his real wife. Echu has each pour wine, and claims to recognize ta n by her superior serving abilities. Echu takes the woman back and ends hostilities with Mider. Mider later reveals that the woman Echu has chosen is in fact Echu's own daughter by ta n, who had been pregnant when Mider took her away. As it happens, Echu has already slept with this t in (= ta n 2 [ ta n Og = ta n the Young]), who is herself now pregnant.
Wooing of Etain When her child ta n (= ta n 3 [ ta n Mes = ta n the Child]) is born, the horrified Echu orders his servants to throw her into a pit of wild beasts. Instead, they abandon her in a peasant's kennel. The girl is raised by the peasant family and becomes the best at embroidery in all Ireland. [T8] ta n 3 attracts the attention of King Etersc lae of Tara, who abducts and marries her. She becomes the mother of the legendary hero-king Conaire (Hound).
LOVER SPOUSE WOMAN COMMENT T 1 T 2 T 3 T 4 Echu Ollathir (=Dagda) Oengus mac Oc Elcmar Boand 9 months = 1 day Elcmar Bruig na Boinde ta n 1 day = eternity Mider Fuamnach E. = butterfly Oengus mac Oc Fuamnach ta n E. rescued by O. E. reborn 1012 years later; 1000 years pass E. = swan T 5 T 6 T 7 T 8 Aillil Angubae (=Mider) Mider Echu Airem Echu Airem Mider ta n ta n Echu Airem ta n 1 (mother) ta n 3 (child) ~ ta n 2 (daughter) ??? Etersc lae
Sovereignty Goddess woman ( ta n) cycles through multiple husbands/lovers/contenders possession of woman (~ land) legitimizes kingship old king/husband supplanted by young male husband-/king- to-be men age; woman remains ageless or rejuvenates ta n 1 ta n 2 ( ta n g) ta n 3 ( ta n Mes) wife/mother young pregnant woman child, fosterling woman ( ta n) split into three phases
