Celtic Sun Mythology

Lugh was worshipped as the Celtic sun god of Ireland. His name means "shining one." He was handsome, perpetually youthful, and he had tremendous energy and vitality. He was worshipped during the 30 day midsummer feast in Ireland. His animal symbols were the lynx and the raven. His sacred symbol was his spear. He was always accompanied by two ravens.

Lugh's grandfather, Balor, heard a prophecy that he would be killed by his grandson. To stop this from happening he had his daughter, Ethlinn, imprisoned in a crystal tower. Even so, Cian, the son of the medicine god, entered the tower. Ethlinn gave birth to triplets. As soon as Balor heard of the birth, he had the triplets thrown into the sea to drown. Three people took the babies to the sea, each wrapped up in many layers of wrappings. Lugh mysteriously fell from his wrapping and was saved from his fate. He was raised in complete secrecy by the god of the sea, Manaanan.

When Lugh reached manhood, he joined the peoples of the goddess Dana (Tuatha De Danaan). In a battle between, during the time when the new order of gods took over the primal gods, the King of the Tuatha de Danaan died in battle and Lugh killed Balor, fulfilling the prophecy. Lugh then became the king of Tuatha de Danaan.

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