Tweet
Boann .........myth of the Irish water-goddess
Legend has it that once the Irish river Boyne did not exist. Instead, there was only a well, surrounded and overhung by nine hazel-trees bearing the sacred crimson hazel-nuts of wisdom. No mortal humans, and no gods, not even the highest gods, were allowed to eat the hazel-nuts. Only the salmon living in the holy well were given this privilege, and as the nuts fell into the water, the salmon would eat them and immediately know all things.
Only Boann, a curious goddess, dared to approach the sacred well, and as she did so, the waters roiled and rose up, overflowing the pool and rushing at Boann in mighty waves. Boann ran swiftly and escaped, but the waters continued to rush out upon the land, creating the river Boyne, named after the lady Boann.
The wise salmon were washed out of their well by this catastrophe and to this day, they swim up and downstream searching in vain for their hazel-nuts.
Legend has it that once the Irish river Boyne did not exist. Instead, there was only a well, surrounded and overhung by nine hazel-trees bearing the sacred crimson hazel-nuts of wisdom. No mortal humans, and no gods, not even the highest gods, were allowed to eat the hazel-nuts. Only the salmon living in the holy well were given this privilege, and as the nuts fell into the water, the salmon would eat them and immediately know all things.
Only Boann, a curious goddess, dared to approach the sacred well, and as she did so, the waters roiled and rose up, overflowing the pool and rushing at Boann in mighty waves. Boann ran swiftly and escaped, but the waters continued to rush out upon the land, creating the river Boyne, named after the lady Boann.
The wise salmon were washed out of their well by this catastrophe and to this day, they swim up and downstream searching in vain for their hazel-nuts.
Comment