Celtic Deities: N to Z

Nechtan
The Irish water god, Nechtan in some myths is married to Boann. On Nechtan's hill there was a well that was the source of all knowledge, to which only Nehtan and his three cup-bearers had access. Boann found her way to the well and its waters rose from the ground and chased her, becoming the River Boyne.

Nemglan
An Irish bird god, who fell in love with Mess Buachalla, the betrothed to Eterscel, High King of Ireland. On the eve of Mess's wedding, Nemglan came to her in his bird form and seduced her, resulting in their son Conaire Mor. He was passed off as Eterscel's son, but Mess warned him never to kill a bird.

Nuadha Airgetlamh (Nudd [Cymru], Llud Llawereint and Nodens [Briton])
Also known as Nuadha Airgetlamh, "Nuadha of the Silver Hand," he is the Irish god of healing, the Sun, youth, beauty, poetry, and writing. Nuadha possesses the invincible Sword of Nuadha (or Findias), one of the great treasures of the Tuatha de Danaan brought to Ireland upon their invasion of the island. After Nuadha lost his hand, Dian Cecht fashioned him one of silver. Nuadha lost his sword hand in the first battle of Mag Tuireadh against the Fir Bolgs, and had to step down as king because the king could nave no blemish despite the fact that he was outfitted with a hand of silver. His hand restored by Dian Cecht, Nuadha lead the Dannans against the Fomors in the second battle of Mag Tuireadh. In this battle he was physically killed and thereforereturned the Lands of the Sidhe.

Also known as the Briton Llud Llawereint ("silver-handed"), he ruled Britain when it was plagued by a May Eve scream. The scream came from two subterranean dragons battling one another. They were soothed by sinking mead into a pit dug through the center of the earth.

As Nodens he was the Briton god of healing, whose magick hounds were believed to cure the sick. Ruins of his temple have been found on the River Severn.

Oenghus (Aonghus, Angus Og)
The god of fatal love, Oenghus was the love-child of the Dagda and Boann. Four birds always hovered above his head which were said to represent kisses. Birds also feature in his courtship of Caer, a faerie maiden whose father was the Danann Ethal. Oenghus and Caer lived together as swans, as Oeghus won her hand after recognizing her from several other swans. He saved his foster-son Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, and his lover Grainne, a princess who had been promised to the High King Finn Maccool. Oenghus could not save Diarmuid from his fate, that of being slain by a magic boar and brought Diarmuid back to his palace at New Grange on the River Boyne, where he breathed a new sould into Diarmuid's body so that he could speak to his foster-son.

Oghma (Ogma, Ogmios)
The Irish god of eloquence, Oghma also is called the "Sun-Faced" One. He invented Ogham, the earliest form of writing in Ireland. Also an Irish god of music, spells, and the arts. Followed by many bards, Ogma Sun-Face is the son of The Dagda and was responsible for conveying souls to the Otherworld, a peaceful resting place for the sould prior to its next rebirth into the world. Oghma was married to Etain, the daughter of the healing god Dian Cecht. At the Second Battle of Mag Tuirreadh, Oghma slew Indech, son of the Fomorii goddess Domnu. He claimed his prize as a magickal sword that was capable of recounting all the deeds it had performed.

Rhiannon (Rigantona [Gaul], linked to Epona [Gaul], Macha, Mare [Eriu], Edain [Cymru])
Her name means "Maid of Annwn," or it's older Gaulish version means "great queen." In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon is the daughter of Hereydd, wife of Pwyll, a chieftain of Dyfed and mother of Pryderi. Her spurned betrothed, Gwawl, put a curse on her household. After years of barrenness she gave birth to a son, only to be falsely accused of his murder. As punishment she was made to carry visitors on herback. Pyrderi was later found and retured by his foster-father Teirnon. Rhiannon often is associated with birds and horses and so sometimes is linked to the Gaulish horse goddess Epona.

Sucellus
Gaulish god who carries a hammer in his left hand. Sucellus is deicted on a relief found near Metz with Nantosuelta. His name means "he who stikes with good effect," and had thus fits into The Good God archetype much like The Dagda. (#1, Ellis, pg. 129)

Sovereignty (Banbha, Fodla, Eriu)
These three sisters are the Irish Goddess of Sovereignty. She has three aspects: (1) Banbha, whose name means "woman of the cows." She is the mother of Cessair, leader of the first invasion of Ireland and often is associated with livestock. (2) Fodla (or Fotla), whose name means "under earth," and is associated with agriculture, and (3) Eriu, "one who is elevated."

They greeted the Milesians, specifically Amairgen, when they landed in Ireland. All three asked that the island after her in exchange that the island would forever belong to the Gaels. Amairgen promised Banbha and Fodla that their names would be a name for the island, but to Eriu, he promised that her name would last forever. Eventually they married three sons of Ogma: Eriu married Mac Greine, Banbha married Mac Cuill, and Fodla married Mac Cecht.

Tailtu
Tailtu was the daughter of the Firbolg ruler and wife of Eochaidh Mac Erc, another Firbolg king. She cleared the forest of Breg so that it became plain, a task which killed her. She was the foster mother to Lugh, who declared the feast of Lughnasadh on August 1 in her honor.

Taranis (Taran [Cymru], cognate to Etherun & Etirun [Briton])
His name means "thunder," and the word "taran" is still used as the Welsh word for this phenonmenon. Known all over the Celtic world, even the Romans equated this god with Jupiter. He usually is depicted with his solar symbol, the wheel. Green in her Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, suggests that the thunder aspect of Taranis implies "battle and a fertility role as a rain-god."

Tiernon (Tigernonos [Gaulish])
A god whose name means "great king," he often is the consort of Rhiannon or Rigantona. He is a herdsman with supernatural powers and deep wisdom.