Cromm Cruach

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Cromm Cruach (the "Dark Black Head") is a god of the underworld and death in Irish Celtic mythology . He is also called Cenn Crúach ("Bloody Head") and is considered the main idol of Ireland ( ardídal na hÉrend ). He is mentioned in this capacity in the Vita of Saint Patrick of Ireland .

mythology

The statues of the Cromm Cruach (see paragraph “St.Patricks-Vita”) are supposed to ensure peace and fertility. In the legend of the tiger maiden it is said that his followers to Samuin on the Mag Slécht (“Field of Worship”) showed their admiration for the Cromm Cruach so ecstatically that they smashed their heads on the stones. A Dindsenchas reports on this incident.

At Samuin, the gates to the underworld open in the fairy hills ( sídhe ). As the god of death and guardian of the underworld sun, Cromm Cruach awaits the sacrifice of the firstborn of animals and even humans. In years of poor harvests, up to two thirds of all firstborn babies are said to have been sacrificed to him. On this day, the "underground", the otherworld residents, visit the people and they in turn can also penetrate the fairy hills. This is explained in a Dindsenchas from the 12th century.

The Cromm Cruach is sometimes thrown together with the fertility god Cromm Dubh (the "Black Bowed One") who had his sanctuary on the Cnoe Bréannan ( Mount Brandon , County Kerry ). This is also associated with St. Patrick.

St Patrick's Vita

The saint describes the statue of Cromm Cruach, which he fought against, as an anthropomorphic figure made of gold and silver, surrounded by twelve "idols" ( cumdachta o umaí ). When Patrick threatened the Cenn Crúach with the cross, the statue turned away from him and the idols sank into the ground.

See also

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. P. 575.
  2. ^ H. d'Arbois de Jubainville: Cours de littérature celtique. Paris 1884-1902, pp. 101 f.
  3. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. P. 91.
  4. ↑ Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. P. 794.