Emer (legendary figure)

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Emer [ ˈẽβ̃əɾ ], also Éimhear , Eimhear , Éimear , is in the Celtic mythology of Ireland a legend from the Ulster cycle . She is the wife of the main hero of Ulster , Cú Chulainn .

mythology

Emer brings Cú Chulainn back from Fand ( Harold Robert Millar , early 20th century)

Emer is the daughter of Forgall Manach (also Forgall Monach), the "cunning man". She is said to have the six gifts of a woman: beauty, a pleasant voice, sweet words, wisdom, sewing skill and chastity. She is the central figure in some of the stories from the Ulster cycle.

The legend Tochmarc Emire (“The wooing for Emer”) is one of the remscéla (“Pre-stories”) of the Táin Bó Cuailnge (“The Robbery of Cooley”), the central story from Ulster. The recruitment of Cú Chulainn is initially rejected by Emer, he seems to be too young, inexperienced and beardless. That is why she gives him several tasks, the most important of which is learning the craft of weapons from the witch Scáthach and conquering her enemy (or sister) Aoife . After completing all tasks, Emer becomes his wife.

Serglige Con Chulainn ocus oenét Emire ("Cú Chulainn's sick bed and the only jealousy of Emer"), also a remscéla , is about the love of the hero for the wife of the sea god Manannan , the beautiful found . The fairy Fand falls in love with Cú Chulainn, who is terminally ill on his bed. Only their love heals him from the unknown disease. Afterhelpingher sister Lí Ban against their enemies, he is allowed to share the camp with Fand. At a meeting, the two are surprised by Emer and her servants, who threaten to murder Fand. Manannan's intervention prevents this by giving everyone involved a potion of oblivion and bringing Fand back into his realm.

In the saga Aided Oenfir Aífe ("The death of Aoife's only son") Emer tries in vain to dissuade Cú Chulainn from fighting with his and Aoife's son Connla .

See also

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. Walter Verlag 1991, ppb edition Patmos Verlag, Düsseldorf, 2000, 2nd edition, ISBN 3-491-69109-5 , pp. 130 f.
  2. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. Walter Verlag 1991, ppb edition Patmos Verlag, Düsseldorf, 2000, 2nd edition, ISBN 3-491-69109-5 , p. 167 f.
  3. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. Walter Verlag 1991, ppb edition Patmos Verlag, Düsseldorf, 2000, 2nd edition, ISBN 3-491-69109-5 , p. 162 f.