Celtic Myth & legend

Ankou

In the Celtic mythology of Brittany the figure of Ankou is associated with death. Tall and wearing a long dark coat, a wide brimmed hat and carrying a scythe over his shoulder, the skeletal Ankou is a collector of the souls of the dead. Ankou is sometimes said to have two skeleton helpers who assist in loading the souls of the dead into a rickety cart drawn by black horses. 

There are a number of tales about Ankou. One is recounted in the book of Breton myths, legends and music compiled and published in 1839 by Théodore Hersart de La Villemarqué, ‘Barzaz Breiz’.

It involves the story of three young drunken friends who when returning home one night met an elderly man dressed in black on an old cart. The man was Ankou. Two of the men started to taunt the old man and throwing stones broke the axel of his cart, they then ran away.

Les Nains - Protecteurs des anciens monuments Celtiques de Bretagne

Dolmen in Brittany

Une entité demeure ancrée dans le folklore Celtique antique de Bretagne et qui porte le nom de Nain. Ces créatures hantent les dolmens erigés par les ancestres du people celte qui vivent en terre de Bretagne. Ils sont decrits dotés de sabots de cheval avec des griffes et des ailes emergeant de leurs epaules. Avec leurs visages de demons, ils ont aussi des cornes sur leur tête et des yeux d’un rouge incandescent.

Ker Ys (Breton: Kêr-Is)

In the Celtic mythology of Brittany Ker Ys (Breton: Kêr-Is) was a City lost under the sea. The City was said to have been built by Gradlon, legendary 5th century King associated with the area of Cornouaille in Brittany. King Gradlon was said to be a great warrior and was engaged in warfare against lands in the far north. He had many ships which he used to conduct his attacks. Although successful his sailors became tired of fighting and decided to return home leaving Gradlon alone in the north. It was then that Gradlon met the magician and Queen of the North, Malgven.

Impressed by his prowess as a warrior, she persuaded Gradlon to join her in killing her husband, the King of the North. The pair then took Morvarc'h, Malgven’s magical black horse, who is described as being able to ride on the sea and breathed fire from his nostrils, One version say’s that they caught up with the fleet of boats carrying Gradlon’s sailors, but that a storm separated them from the main fleet. Another says that the fleet scattered out of fear of the site of Morvarc'h. The result of either was that Gradlon and Malgven were adrift for many months. On the long journey Malgven gave birth to their daughter, Dahut. In some versions of the story Malgven died during childbirth. In others, she did not die but decided to return to her own land having established that Gradlon loved and cared for the child. She asked Gradlon to drop her off on an island and told him that Dahut would always have Malgven’s face to remind him of her.

Ankou: Breton Halloween Story

Ankou

The night's celebration of Kala Goany (the Celtic festival of Halloween) had been good. A walk home on this crisp autumn night on the outskirts of Belle Isle en Terre, Brittany gave the opportunity for Morgyn to clear her head. The wine had flowed freely all night and everyone had entered into the spirit of things, dressing in costumes and of course, it being Halloween, the more gaudy and macabre the outfit the better. Midnight had arrived; people had listened attentively to the ghost stories being told around the crackling log fire, alternately frightened and amused. That was the way of things on Kala Goany, a traditional celebration with an undercurrent of respect for the supernatural. Morgyn loved Halloween; there was a special magical atmosphere on this night that gave her a feeling of closeness to her Breton ancestry and Celtic identity.

Kannerezed noz – The Washerwomen of the Night in the Celtic mythology of Brittany

In the Celtic folklore of Brittany there are many creatures of the Otherworld, that mystical land occupied by spirits and deities who are rarely seen by humans. Many of these supernatural beings are benevolent and only deem to appear when and if absolutely necessary. Others simply want to be left alone to exist in the way that they have for thousands of years, long before the time of humankind. For some their role is to protect the environment and try and control the most damaging excesses of man. There are those who will deliberately seek out and help humans who care for the land of Brittany, cherish its ancient borders and protect its ancient traditions. However, amongst all of these creatures there are some who will, if encountered, be a harbinger of doom. They are to be avoided at all costs.

Amongst these darker entities of Breton mythology is the tall, skeletal, foreboding figure of Ankou. Dressed in black, carrying a scythe, he is accompanied by a cart pulled by black horses. Ankou is a night traveller that gathers the soles of the newly dead. Then there is the Nain who guard the ancient megaliths, stone circles and cairns that are found all over Brittany. Their faces are demon like with horns upon their head and their eyes are a glowing red. Dancing around the ancient stones and monoliths of Brittany they chant out the days of the week ‘dilun, dimerzh, dimerc'her, diyaou, digwener', but not the days of ‘disadorn and disul’ for these two days are held as sacred to the fairies. The night of ‘dimerc'her’ is their special night though, particularly the first one of the month of May. Ill fortune will befall those humans that should chance across and interrupt their ceremonies.

Korrigans - Sirens of Breton Mythology

Korrigans

In the rich Celtic mythological tales of Brittany, the Korrigans form a group of female entities who are associated with rivers and wells. Sometimes they are described as fairy like creatures with beautiful golden hair. They are seen in some tales as changelings who can alter their shape. 

In the 1911 seminal work “The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries” by W.Y. Evans-Wentz, the author describes the origins of the Korrigan myth: “In lower Brittany, which is the genuinely Celtic part of Amorica (Breton Peninsula) instead of finding a widespread folk-belief in fairies of the kind existing in Wales, Ireland and Scotland we find a widespread belief in the existence of the dead, and to a less extent in that of the Korrigan tribes. It is the Korrigan race, more than fairies, (which) forms a large part of the invisible inhabitants of Brittany”.

From a folklore tale cited by Evans-Wentz, we have a window into the rich oral tradition of Celtic myth in Brittany:

Towards midnight I was awakened by a terrible uproar; there were a hundred Korrigans dancing around the fountain. I overheard one of them say to the others; I have news to report to you , I have cast an evil spell upon the daughter of the King and no mortal will ever be able to cure her, and yet in order to cure her, nothing more would be needed than a drop of water form this fountain.

Kannerezed noz- les lavandières nocturnes dans la mythologie celtique du folklore de Bretagne

Dans le folklore celtique de Bretagne, il y a de nombreuses créatures de l’autre monde, cette terre mystique occupée par les esprits et divinités rarement aperçus par les humains. Beaucoup de ces êtres surnaturels sont bienveillants et ils n’apparaitrons que seulement si  ou quand il est necessaire. Les autres veulent simplement être laissés seuls continuant d’exister de la même manière de milliers d’années, bien avant le debut de l’humanité. Pour certains, leur role est de proteger l’environment et d’essayer de controller les excès les plus destructeurs de la race humaine. Ce sont ces derniers qui cherchent deliberement à aider les humains à prendre soin de la terre de Bretagne en cherissant ses frontières anciennes et en protegeant ses vieilles traditions. Il y a cependant parmi ses creatures celles qu’il faux eviter a tout prix de renconter car ils portent malheur.

Nain - Protector of the ancient Celtic monuments of Brittany

Dolmen in Brittany

An entity steeped within the ancient Celtic folklore of Brittany that bears the name Nain. They haunt the ancient dolmens erected by the ancestors of our Celtic peoples that live in the land of Brittany. They are described as having hooved feet, clawed hands and wings sprouting from their shoulders. Their faces are demon like with horns upon their head and their eyes are a glowing red. Dancing around the ancient stones and monoliths of Brittany they chant out the days of the week ‘dilun, dimerzh, dimerc'her, diyaou, digwener',  but not the days of ‘disadorn and disul’  for these two days are held as sacred to the fairies. The night of ‘dimerc'her’ is their special night though, particularly the first one of the month of May.

It was the Nain who inscribed the ancient monuments of Gavr'inis where it is said they wrote of the secret location of their treasure. For the Nain minted gold; but the coins would turn to the dead leafs of trees if humans tried to use it. Not that humans would willingly have any contact with the Nain. Legend tells us that should humans come into the domain of the Nain; the stone circles, cairns and ancient monuments of Brittany, in particular when they are holding their sacred ceremonies, ill fortune will follow. Should a human attempt to join in with dances and ceremonies of the Nain then there is nothing surer than that death will follow.

Bugul Noz le soir d'Halloween en Bretagne

Bug Noz

Bien qu’ hideux en apparence, Bugul Noz avait une nature bienveillante. Il parcourait les régions boisées de sa Bretagne natale. Parfois on l’avait appelé « Berger de la nuit » en raison des soins qu'il portait aux animaux de la forêt. En cette froide et frisquette nuit d’Halloween du 31 octobre, il se sentait étrangement en sécurité. Ce fut la nuit ; la seule nuit vraiment, qu'il pouvait se montrer en public. Il était facile pour lui de se faufiler parmi la foule de gens qui participaient aux fêtes déguisées en cette nuit d'Halloween ; l’ancien nouvel an celtique. Vetus de costumes grotesques, chacun se disputait le titre du plus effrayant par l’aide de faux sang, crocs, les cheveux teintés, maquillage, masques et linceuls.  L’apparat le plus bizarre, macabre et épouvantable provoquera l’admiration de chaque. Oui, ce fut la nuit qui Bugul Noz pouvait se sentir à l'aise avec sa propre apparence. Car les gens qu'il rencontrait ne savaient pas que la laideur de cette créature était tout à fait naturelle. Bugul Noz n'avait pas besoin d'un costume et maquillage afin d'effrayer les gens.

En arrivant au bord du village, Bugul Noz respira l'air froid et frisquet. La brume tourbillonnait juste au-dessus du sol, créant un velours gris comme tapis. Cette soirée parfaite de Bretagne d’ automne, pleine de magie et de mystère qui emplissaient l'air de son pays d'origine celtique. « la Bretagne » pensa t’il, et il soupira avec plaisir. Fière, distincte, unique et malgré les efforts de beaucoup a travers les années, elle demeura indépendante d’âme et d’esprit . Bugul Noz ne pourrait pas survivre en dehors de sa chère Bretagne car il était maudit d’errer cette terre sans montrer son visage. Bien que d’apparence répugnante envers ses compatriotes Bretons, il etait néanmoins l'un d'entre eux.

Bugul Noz se sentait aussi vieux que la terre sur laquelle il marchait. Certains arbres dans les anciennes forêts dans les quelles  il vivait lui rappelait les jeunes arbustes qui poussèrent depuis de nombreuses années. Y avait-il un moment où il ne sentait pas seul ? Si c’etais peut être le cas, il ne s’en souvient pas. Parfois, il rencontrerait « Ankou ». Grand et  vêtu d'un manteau long et sombre, portant un large chapeau et une faux sur son épaule, l’ Ankou squelettique était le collectionneur des âmes des morts en Bretagne.  Ils se saluairent mutuellement mais Ankou était toujours très occupé, même avec ses deux aides squelettes qui l’assistaient à charger les âmes des morts dans un chariot branlant tiré par des chevaux noirs.

Bugul Noz on Halloween Night in Brittany

Bug Noz

Though hideous in appearance, he was benevolent in nature. The Bugul Noz roamed the woodlands of his native Brittany. Sometimes known as ‘Night Shepherd’ because of the care he took of the animals of the forest. On this cold crisp Halloween night of 31 October he felt strangely secure. This was the night; the only night really, that he could show himself in public. The throngs of people that went to fancy dress parties on this night of Halloween (Kalan Goañv); the old Celtic New Year, made it easy for him. Dressed as they were in grotesque costumes, they vied to see who could look the most frightening. Fake blood, fangs, dyed hair, make up, masks, shrouds; the more outlandish, deathlike and appalling the dress, the more admired by everyone. Yes-this was the night that Bugul Noz could feel comfortable with his own appearance. Because the people he met did not know that this ugly looking creature was entirely natural. Bugul Noz did not need a costume and make-up in order to scare people.

Arriving at the edge of the village Bugul Noz breathed in the cold, crisp air. Mist swirled just above the ground creating a grey velvet like carpet. A perfect Brittany night in autumn, full of the magic and mystery that filled the air of his Celtic homeland. ‘Brittany’ he thought and sighed with pleasure. Proud, distinct, unique and despite the efforts of many over the years, independent in mind and spirit. Cursed as he was to roam this land without being able to show his face, Bugul Noz could not survive outside of his beloved Brittany. Although repugnant in appearance to his fellow Bretons, he was nevertheless one of them.

Bugul Noz felt as ancient as the earth on which he walked. Some of the trees in the old woodlands in which he lived he remembered as just saplings many years ago. Was there a time that he did not feel lonely? Maybe, but if there was he could no longer remember it.  Sometimes he would meet ‘Ankou’. Tall and wearing a long dark coat, a wide brimmed hat and carrying a scythe over his shoulder, the skeletal Ankou is a collector of the souls of the dead in Brittany.  They would greet each other but Ankou was always very busy, even with his two skeleton helpers who assisted in loading the souls of the dead into a rickety cart drawn by black horses. 

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