Macha Mong Ruad
deity earth Irish single tradition · 1
Macha Mong Ruad ("red hair") was, according to medieval Irish legend, the only queen in the List of High Kings of Ireland and daughter of Áed Rúad. She claimed the kingship after her father's death, defeated her father's cousins in battle, and forced Díthorba's sons to build Emain Macha, which became the capital of the Ulaid. Marie-Louise Sjoestedt identifies her as a manifestation of a local goddess embodying the warrior and dominator aspect combined with a sexual aspect in which the male partners are dominated by the female.
When
- First attested
- 323 BCE
- Attested period
- -323 – 2020
- Historical notes
- The Lebor Gabála synchronizes her reign to Ptolemy I Soter (323–283 BC); other sources date her reign to 468–461 BC or 661–654 BC.
Relationships
- consort of
- Cimbáeth
- enemy of
- Díthorba, Rechtaid Rígderg
- co occurs with
- Dagda
- child of
- Áed Rúad
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“Macha Mong Ruad ("red hair"), daughter of Áed Rúad ("red fire" or "fire lord" – a name of the Dagda), was, according to medieval legend and historical tradition, the only queen in the List of High Kings of Ireland.”
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