(Pan-Celtic) [Loo] The Shining One; Sun God; God of War; "Many
Skilled"; "Fair-Haired One"; "White or Shining"; a hero god. His feast is
Lughnassadh, a harvest festival. Associated with ravens. His symbol was a
white stag in Wales. Son of Cian and Ethniu. Lugh had a magic spear and
rod-sling. One of his magic hounds was obtained from the sons of Tuirenn
as part of the blood-fine for killing his father Cian. Also called
Samhioldananach, meaning "master of all arts", or Lamhfada (La-VAH-dah),
"the long-armed".
His sacred symbol was a spear. He was always accompanied by two ravens.
Sometimes he is shown as one-eyed. Predecessor of the Germanic Wotan
and the Norse Odin? He was a God of the sun, light, and the grain
harvest, who is honored at the Sabbat of Lughnassadh. Like Brid, he is a deity
of many skills and was even said to be able to come into human form to
worship among the Druids for whom he was a primary deity. He is also
worshipped as the God of fire, metallurgy, crafting, weaving, and as a
protector of the weak.
Also known as Lugh of the Long Arm. He killed his grandfather, Balor,
during a battle in which the new order of gods and goddesses took over
from the primal gods. He defeated his enemies with a magic spear. Also
known as Lug Samildanach or Lug.
Considered the chief Lord of the Tuatha De Danaan, the Celtic Zeus. His
archetype appears to derive from an early solar deity, and he has many
epithets and sobriquets, among which: Lamhfhada, Long-arm, referring to
his skill with spear or sling; Samildanach, much-skilled, having many
talents; Ildanach, seer; and Maicnia, boy-warrior.
Some scholars believe he was originally a king of the Fomorians who was
adopted by the Tuatha De Danann and then by the Celts. He sided with
the Tuatha in the Second Battle of Tireadh (Moytura) and led their forces
against the Formorians. It was here that he killed his grandfather
Balor, a sacrificial God whom Lugh was destined to replace. Though he was a
divine being, he was said to have an earthly father. Because of this
association, he is seen as a bridge between human and the divine worlds.
More statues and holy sites were erected to him than any other Celtic
deity, and many of these sites remain for us today. His continental name
was Lugus. He is often equated with the Greek God Apollo.
Also: Llugh; Luga; Lamhfada [lavada - of the Long Arm]; Llew; Lug;
Lugus; Lug Samildanach (many skilled); Lleu Llaw Gyffes ("bright one of the
skillful hand"); Lleu; Lugos
