Lúin of Celtchar facts for kids
The Lúin of Celtchar was a famous and powerful spear from ancient Irish stories. It belonged to a hero named Celtchar mac Uthechar. This spear was special because it was fiery and incredibly dangerous. Other heroes like Dubthach, Mac Cécht, and Fedlimid also used it in battles. The Lúin is a key part of the Ulster Cycle, a group of old Irish legends.
The Spear's Amazing Powers
Ancient Irish texts describe the Lúin of Celtchar in detail. These stories, like Togail Bruidne Dá Derga and Mesca Ulad, tell us about its scary appearance and effects.
In Togail Bruidne Dá Derga, spies describe a warrior holding the Lúin. They said it was a huge spear with fifty rivets. Its shaft was so big it would take two oxen to carry it. The warrior would swing the spear, and sparks as big as eggs would fly off it! Then, he would hit the spear's end against his hand three times.
Before him was a large cauldron, big enough for a young bull. It held a dark, scary liquid. The warrior dipped the spear into this liquid. If the spear wasn't cooled quickly, it would burst into flames. It would blaze up so much it looked like the whole house was on fire!
An expert named Fer Rogain explained more about the spear. He said the spear was the Lúin of Celtchar. It was found at the Battle of Mag Tuired. Whenever the spear was about to shed enemy blood, it needed a cauldron of special liquid to cool it down. If not, the spear would burn the person holding it or even the lord of the house.
Every time this spear was thrust, it would kill one person. Even if it didn't physically touch them, they would die. If the spear was thrown, it would kill nine people! Among those nine would always be a king, a royal heir, or an important leader. Fer Rogain swore that the Lúin of Celtchar would bring death to many that night.
In another story, Mesca Ulad, watchmen saw a similar sight. They described a warrior whose spear reached his shoulder. When the spear got hot, he would hit its end against his palm. Fiery sparks, enough to fill a sack, would burst from its blade. Before him was a cauldron of black, dreadful liquid. This liquid was made from the blood of dogs, cats, and druids. It was used to dip the spear's head when it got hot.
Cú Roí explained that the watchmen saw Dubthach, who had borrowed the Lúin. He said the cauldron of poisonous blood was there to stop the spear from burning its shaft or the person carrying it. This also meant the spear was predicting a battle. Some believe these "sensitive spears" would vibrate to show that a fight was about to begin.
A later story, Cath Ruis na Ríg, also talks about the Lúin. It mentions that four helpers were needed to keep the cooling cauldron in place. This shows how dangerous the weapon was and how carefully it had to be handled.
Sadly, Celtchar himself died because of his own spear. He had used the Lúin to kill a wild dog. He then stood the spear upright with the point facing up. A drop of the dog's blood trickled down the spear. It went through Celtchar and killed him. This story shows just how powerful and hot the Lúin was.
Who Else Used the Lúin?
The Lúin of Celtchar was used by different warriors in the Ulster Cycle stories. Both Ulster and Connacht heroes wielded it.
Dubthach used the spear in Togail Bruidne Dá Derga and Mesca Ulad. Later, Dubthach himself was killed by Fedlimid, who was using the Lúin of Celtchar. This happened according to a note after the story Togail Bruidne Dá Choca(e).
A poet named Cináed ua hArtacáin (who died in 975 AD) wrote that the Connacht champion Mac Cécht used the Lúin. He used it to kill Cúscraid Menn, who was the son of Conchobor mac Nessa.
There is also an old text that claims the spear survived for a long time. It says the Lúin was still around during the time of Cormac mac Airt. It was then known as the Crimall of Birnbuadach. This spear supposedly caused Cormac to become blind, which meant he could no longer be king. This text also suggests that the Lúin was the same as the "Famous yew of the wood." This was the name for the spear of Lug mac Eithliu from the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Was it Lug's Spear?
Some experts, like Arthur C. L. Brown and R. S. Loomis, believe the Lúin of Celtchar might be the same as the famous spear of Lugh. Lug's spear is listed as one of the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. These were four special items the Túatha Dé Danann brought to Ireland.
The story Togail Bruidne Dá Derga hints at this connection. It says the Lúin was found at the Battle of Mag Tuired. This battle is famous as the one where the Túatha Dé Danann, led by Lug, defeated the Fomoiri.
Also, a later story called Oidheadh Chloinne Tuireann describes Lug's spear in ways that sound a lot like Celtchar's Lúin. However, older stories about Lug's spear don't always match the descriptions of the Lúin perfectly. So, while it's an interesting idea, it's not certain if they are the same weapon.
See also
- Gáe Bulg
- Lance of Longinus
