Lí Ban facts for kids

Lí Ban is a special female figure from Irish mythology. Her name comes from old Irish words meaning "beauty of women," so it's like saying she's a "paragon of women." She is often described as being from another, magical world.

Who is Lí Ban?

Lí Ban is a powerful and mysterious character in ancient Irish tales. She is known for her connections to other important figures.

Her Family and Home

Lí Ban had a beautiful sister named Fand. Lí Ban was also married to Labraid Luathlám ar Claideb, whose name means "Labraid of the swift sword-hand." He was the ruler of a magical place called Magh Mell, which means "Plain of Honey" or "Pleasure Plain." This was a mythical land, often described as a paradise.

Lí Ban's Big Story

Lí Ban plays a key role in an old Irish story called Serglige Con Culainn, which means The Wasting Sickness of Cú Chulainn. In this tale, she is the daughter of a figure named Áed Abrat.

Helping Cú Chulainn

In the story, Lí Ban first appears as a sea bird. Later, she changes into a magical woman. She causes a strange sickness to fall upon the hero Cú Chulainn. However, Lí Ban doesn't just cause trouble; she also helps fix it. She acts as a messenger and a go-between. She works with Cú Chulainn's charioteer, Láeg, to find a way to heal Cú Chulainn. To get better, Cú Chulainn agrees to help Lí Ban's sister Fand in a battle in the Otherworld, which is a magical realm beyond our own.

Lí Ban the Mermaid?

Some stories suggest that the famous Lí Ban from Irish mythology might be connected to a legendary mermaid of Lough Neagh. This mermaid is a well-known figure in Irish folklore, and her name might have come from this ancient mythical character.