ORIGIN: Celtic [Irish]
TYPE: War, Fertility and vegetation goddess.
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: From prehistoric origins until Christianization (circa CE 400)
SYNONYMS: Macha (Ulster); Medb or Maeve (Connaught); Etain Echraide (Tara); also probably Badb Catha; Eriu; Fodla; Nemain; Rhiannon.
CENTER(S) OF CULT: Various sanctuaries throughout Ireland
ART REFERENCES: Inscriptions and carvings on Romano-Celtic altars, stone pillars, etc.
LITERARY SOURCES: Books of Invasions; Cycles of Kings.
INFORMATION: A complex goddess displaying various characteristics which are both generative and destructive (see also Anat, Inana, Istar, Athene). At the festival of Samhain, she mates with the Dagda to ensure the future prosperity of the land and as Queen Maeve (Medb) of Connaught she was ritually wedded to the mortal king whose antecedent was Ailill. As Nemain (panic) and Badb Catha (raven of battle), she takes on a more warlike and destructive aspect. Rahter than engaging directly in conflict, she uses her supernatural powers to spread fear and disarray. The Irish hero Cu Chulainn was thus visited on the battlefield by Badb driving a chariot and dressed in a red cloak and with red eyebrows presenting an intimidating appearance. She is capable of changing her shape into various animal forms and in the guise of a raven or a crow is able to foretell the outcome of battle.
Morrigan is also closely associated with horse symbolism, befitting a horse-oriented culture with strong links toward Asia. Mare forms the basis of the names Macha and Medb. She may also at times have been syncretized with the horse goddess Epona. As with other Celtic goddesses Morrigan is an intrinsic part of the land rather than a tribal deity, the "Sovereignty of Ireland".
The Celtic goddess is frequently described as a triad of separate aspects. Hence Morrigan, Nemain and Badb are linked and become collectively the Morrigna (see also Matres). In association with the vitality of Irish kings, Morrigan assumed the appearance of both a young girl and of a hag, the latter signifying the banishment or slaughter of a ruler who had become infirm or otherwise scarred with signs of mortality.