Fíth-fáth

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fíth-fáth , also fáth-fíth (both Scottish Gaelic ), or féth-fíada ( Irish , "magic mist ") means a magic of transformation or of making invisible in Celtic mythology . From the Old Norse-Old Icelandic the animal metamorphosis as "Hindenspiel" ( Hindarleikur viki-vaki ) was borrowed.

Scotland

In Scotland is féth fíada particularly by the Irish legends circle around Fionn mac Cumhaill become known in the Finn's wife in a Hinde is transformed. The mutation of animals has remained known until recently; hunters and travelers in particular used fíth-fáth to deceive animals or highwaymen. Women become cats, rabbits or also hinds, men become horses, bulls or deer.

Ireland

When the Túatha Dé Danann were still in Greece before their arrival in Ireland , they learned to master magic there. When they landed on the island, according to Lebor Gabála Érenn, they then enveloped themselves in an impenetrable mist through féth-fíada . This was one of their recipes for success in the fight against the Firbolg . They passed the art of "magic mist" on to the Irish druids , who learned to conjure up the "druid mist" ( céodruidechta ). When trying to prevent the Milesians from landing with the help of fíth-fáth , they were subject to the summons of Amergin .

In the Fianna warriors' association the transformation of men into deer was also practiced. A report about this and the transformation into werewolves has been preserved in a manuscript from the 9th century, found in St. Paul Abbey in Lavanttal ( Carinthia , Austria).

See also

literature

  • Helmut Birkhan : Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 .

Individual evidence

  1. Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 , p. 698, note 3.
  2. ^ A. Carmichael (Ed.): Carmina Gaedelica. Hymns and Incantations. 6 Vols., Edinburgh-London 1928–1971, Vol. II, p. 22 ff. (A magic formula for the (re?) Transformation is also cited here)
  3. Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 , p. 500.
  4. Helmut Birkhan: Celts. Attempt at a complete representation of their culture. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1997, ISBN 3-7001-2609-3 , p. 946 f.
  5. Chr. Vielle: The Oldest narrative Attestations of a Celtic Mythical an Traditional Cycle. 1994, p. 224.