Description from original post (created 2013-02-11 03:25):
Please don't flag/d'q, the_soup said it was okay to do this skin. thx.
The MorrÃgan
The Morrigan, also referred to as the 'Phantom Queen' is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to be considered a goddess, but not all believe that. In the Middle Irish period the name is often spelled MórrÃgan with a lengthening diacritic over the 'o', seemingly intended to mean "Great Queen". She was the shape-shifting Celtic Goddess of War, Fate and Death. She also presided over rivers, lakes and fresh water, in addition to being the patroness of revenge, night, magic, prophecy, priestesses and witches. She is somtimes considered a raven, or a 'crone' (Old woman, basically).
The origins of the Morrigan appear to be directly linked to the megalithic Cult of the Mothers, who usually appeared as triple goddesses. Her role in Celtic legend is similar to that of the Valkyries in Norse folklore in that both used magic to cast fetters on warriors and made the decision regarding who would live and who would die. The Morrigan is also closely associated with horse symbolism and may, on occasion, have been linked with the equine Goddess, Epona.
The Celts believed that, as they engaged in warfare, the Morrigan flew shrieking overhead in the form of a raven or carrion crow, summoning a host of slain soldiers to a macabre spectral bane. When the battle had ended, the warriors would leave the field until dawn in order that the Morrigan could claim the trophies of heads, euphemistically known as "the Morrigan's acorn crop." Morrigan also appears in texts of the Mythological Cycle. In the 12th century pseudohistorical compilation Lebor Gabála à renn she is listed among the Tuatha Dé Danann as one of the daughters of Ernmas, granddaughter of Nuada. She is still worshipped today by some people, but it's not very common. Some say it is not wise to mess with Morrigan, because she is the goddess of death and does not seem very 'kind'.
Depending on your religion, Morrigan might be considered real to you. Back then the Celts saw her as something different, but modern Pagans view the role of the Morrigan in a somewhat different light from that of the Ancient Celts, but she remains an appropriate deity for strong and independent individuals. Many followers of the Morrigan erect a permanent shrine in her honor, using such items as bowls of brine and blood, the feather of a crow or raven, or even a piece of red cloth to symbolize the Washer at the Ford.
TL;DR: She is the Celtic goddess of war, death, and fate. She is depicted as a raven sometimes, and is also a patron of the night. You don't want to mess with her.
References:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Morr%C3%ADgan
- http://www.novareinna.com/guard/morrigan.html
- http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/p/Morrighan.htm
Image reference:
If you like this skin be sure to give it a diamond. c: OR MORRIGAN WILL GET YOU