Birth of the Morrigan

Adara Rosalie

Birth of the Morrigan


The Morrigan is a Celtic goddess of battle, strife, and fertility. Her name translates as either “Great Queen” or “Phantom Queen,” and both epithets are entirely appropriate for her. The Morrigan appears as both a single goddess and a trio of goddesses.

The Morrigan frequently appears in the ornithological guise of a hooded crow. She is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann (“Tribe of the goddess Danu” or the land of the Faries) and she helped defeat the Firbolg at the First Battle of Mag Tuireadh and the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh. She is often read about in books that are about the Fae.

She appeared to the hero Cu Chulainn (son of the god Lugh) and offered her love to him. When he failed to recognize her and rejected her, she told him that she would hinder him when he was in battle. When Cu Chulainn was eventually killed, she settled on his shoulder in the form of a crow. Cu’s misfortune was that he never recognized the feminine power of sovereignty that she offered to him.

She appeared to him on at least four occasions and each time he failed to recognize her.

1.When she appeared to him and declared her love for him.
2.After he had wounded her, she appeared to him as an old hag and he offered his blessings to her, which caused her to be healed.
3.On his way to his final battle, he saw the Washer at the Ford, who declared that she was washing the clothes and arms of Cu Chulainn, who would soon be dead.
4.When he was forced by three hags (the Morrigan in her triple aspect) to break a taboo of eating dogflesh.

Resources:

Background: Funky Terrain by MatrixStock http://matrixstock.deviantart.com/art/Funky-Terrain-2-72714593 and Misty Ocean by LucieG-Stock http://lucieg-stock.deviantart.com/art/Misty-ocean-1-104660883

Woman by dazzle-stock http://dazzle-stock.deviantart.com/art/No-Sleep-For-The-Wicked-108278956

Crow brushes by lugubrum-stock http://lugubrum-stock.deviantart.com/art/Lugubrum-stock-crowbrush-53834827

All artworks contained herein have been created in Photoshop CS3 or Photographed, by Adara Rosalie, and are all original artworks.
My gallery is Copyright © 2008-2009 Adara Rosalie. All rights reserved. My work may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or uploaded in any way without my written permission.

Birth of the Morrigan belongs to the following groups:

!* Dark Cabaret *!, ! HAIRSTYLES !, ABSTRACT DIGITAL ART AND WRITING, Alt, Behind the Mask, Creative Spirits of Queensland , Dream and Fantasy Art (photo manipulation, 3d, painting and digital painting), Dresses, Enchanting Powerful Photo Manipulation (2 per day), Fantasy Fine Art Composites, Fine Art of the Female Form, First Things, In Another World .., Light In The Darkness, Mermaids and mystic creatures, Myths, Legends and Fairytales, PixElations - The Art of Photoshop, Practising the Dark Arts, THE DIVINE FEMININE, the love of Eerie and enchanting artwork and THE SISTERHOOD Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Birth of the Morrigan by Adara Rosalie
Birth of the Morrigan by Adara Rosalie
  • Rhenastarr

    Rhenastarr

    Very moody and magically wonderful.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much, it is lovely to hear that!

  • Sherry Osborn

    Sherry Osborn

    Very pretty

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Sherry. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know! Smile

  • Laurie Search

    Laurie Search

    What an awesome and beautiful image!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    I am so happy that you enjoy my artwork, it is a great joy to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts. It has made my day! I hope that you have a wonderful week ahead!

  • Martina Fagan

    Martina Fagan

    lovely work:)

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much Marsbub.

  • DevineDayDreams

    DevineDayDreams

    great job!!! Congratulations on the feature! :)

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Oh, wow! I have been so busy with Uni this last week that I did not even know! Thank you so much for the congratulations, it is really special of you! I wish you all the best!!!

  • linaji

    linaji

    THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE WRITE AND ART PIECE!! MORE PLEASE!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Ohmygoodness
    Thank you so much!! It is really lovely to recieve such wonderful feedback!! I will keep the fantasy and writing up!

  • linaji

    linaji

    INCREDIBLE WORK AND WORDS …....MORE PLEASE…..

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    I will!! Thank you again! I hope the rest of your week is a magical one!!!

  • Waleska Luker

    Waleska Luker

    Congratulations! Your work was voted the most popular entry in a First Things Group challenge.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Oh, WOW! What amazing news! I am completely speachless! Thank you all so much!!!!

  • MoonSpiral

    MoonSpiral

    Very beautiful work!! You really captured a lot of symbolism and the archetypal essence of Morrigan with this image!!!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much MoonSpiral, it is great to hear that I have been sucessful in my goal with this image. Thank you again for taking the time to let me know, I really appreciate it. I hope that you have a magical weekend.

  • Astoreth

    Astoreth

    beautiful, magical work. xx

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Astoreth, thank you so much for such lovely feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time! I wish you a magical weekend!

  • Barbara Cliff

    Barbara Cliff

    fascinating myth as always with an element of truth and lovely illustration

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    It is lovely that you like this image Barbara! I have always loved the old myths and legends of Gods and Goddesses that had so much impact on ancient cultures, and it is a great joy to know that you enjoy them as well.
    Thank you so much again and I wish you a magical weekend!

  • SharonJH

    SharonJH

    Such a magical image. Very very beautiful.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Sharon, you have made my day with such sweet feedback. It is a great joy to know that others enjoy this piece. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me, I really appreciate it! I wish you a magical weekend!

  • linskudd

    linskudd

    Lovely work. Very beautiful.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

  • RavenSoul

    RavenSoul

    WOW Cannot believe I have not commented on this! Such a moody piece with a desolate feel to it. Wonderful work my dear!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    LOL, you are such a sweety! I am really glad that you finally got to see this one, I am guessing that you like dark art too! :) I was inspired by Victoria Frances. Thank you again!!

  • RavenSoul

    RavenSoul

    Have to check her out = ) Thanks hon! Umm Me Dark… LOL

  • Scott Ruhs

    Scott Ruhs

    Great image. Love the vignetting effect – sets the mood of the image

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much Scott, what lovely feedback! I really appreciate it! I am really glad that you liked the overall effect of the image. I wish you a wonderful week ahead

  • Shannon Paskaruk

    Shannon Paskaruk

    fantastic!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Shannon. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know.

  • GittiArt

    GittiArt

    So elegant and beautiful work and the black raven in the foreground makes it even more interesting and unique !!!! Bravo !!!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    AWE, Gitti, that is lovely. I really appreciate such kind words and knowing that you like this piece. You have made my day.

  • funkyfacestudio

    funkyfacestudio

    So very beautiful !

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Funky, Thank you for taking the time to share such kind words with me. I hope that you have a wonderful week ahead!

  • Renate Dartois

    Renate Dartois

    Gorgeous art-work Adara.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    I am so happy that you like this piece, Renate. It is very kind of you to take the time to let me know! I really appreciate it.

  • MoonSpiral

    MoonSpiral

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Oh, wow! Thank you so much for this honour! I am astounded and so greatful!

  • chasingsooz

    chasingsooz

    Congratulations on your challenge WIN!! Please submit this image to Behind the Mask so that it may be featured.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Whoa!!! I am in total AWE! This is the first competition that I have suceeded in. Thank you so much for the honour! I have submitted the image to the group as you have asked. :) Thank you again for such wonderful news!

  • maileilani

    maileilani

    This is great work! Lovely!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much maileilani, it is extreamly sweet of you.

  • Cynthia Lund Torroll

    Cynthia Lund T...

    Magical.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Cynthia, I really appreciate it! I hope your week ahead is a magical one!

  • pepper08

    pepper08

    stunning!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Pepper, it is lovely of you to take the time to share your thoughts on this artwork, I really appreciate it! I hope you have a wonderful week!

  • Carol Berliner

    Carol Berliner

    Pure magic! Instant fav!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Awe, that is lovely carol. Thank you, it is a great joy to me to know that you enjoy this artwork. I hope that your week ahead is a magical one!

  • blamo

    blamo

    fantastic image ….............

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much Blamo!

  • blamo

    blamo

    my pleasure

  • MicheleMarie

    MicheleMarie

    Amazing work…very magical and mystical. Transports one to the spot.

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank tou MicheleMarie, it is lovely to hear.

  • Barbara Glatzeder

    Barbara Glatzeder

    Congratulations on your Top 10 placement in The Celtic/Norse Goddess challenge in THE DIVINE FEMININE!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much! It was wonderful to see so many amazing entries in your contest. I love the group!

  • Jen Ryan

    Jen Ryan

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    That is so cool! Thank you so much!

  • DalunE Khoang

    DalunE Khoang

    Fantastic piece.I would love to see a movie with pictures,colors,darkness like this.she is so beautiful.her dark long hair,ivory pale skin,with her a soft white dress.Great composition and setting.Bravo!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much for such inspiring and wonderful words, Dalune! It is a great joy to hear that you have found this piece so inspirational. I appreciate that you have taken the time to wite me and share. I hope that the week ahead is a magical one!

  • Morgan-La-Femme

    Morgan-La-Femme

    Takes your breath away… beautiful

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you Morgan, I really appreciate you sharing this with me. You have made my day.

  • TaniaLosada

    TaniaLosada

    love it!

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    Thank you so much Tania!

  • Rene Hales

    Rene Hales

    beautiful concept, mood and colors. Well done.—Rene

  • Adara Rosalie replied

    What wonderful descriptive words, Rene. Thank you so much! I hope that your week ahead is full of magic

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.