Balor of the Evil Eye: A Mythical Icon of Irish Legend
Link the infamous cyclops of Greek mythology, Polyphemus, with the iconic Marvel Comics character Cyclops—who shoots energy beams from his eyes—and one finds a character reminiscent of Balór na Súile Nimhe, known as Balor of the Evil Eye.
Balor, alternatively named Balar or Bolur, appears throughout early and medieval Irish writings with various titles such as Balor Birugderc (the Piercing Eye), Balor Béimnech (the Smiter), and Balor ua Néit (the grandson of Nét). However, Balor is most recognized by his titular “evil eye,” notable for its destructive gaze that could annihilate anyone who dared to meet it.
Historian Peter Berresford Ellis describes Balor as the most powerful member of the Fomorii, endowing him with a gaze so hateful that it was fatal to its victims.
Balor was not only a warrior leader of the Fomorians but also embroiled in significant conflicts against the Tuatha Dé Danann—deemed the benevolent Irish deities. Despite his eventual demise at the hands of his grandson, Lugh, Balor’s legacy is marked by his ferocity, exemplified by his slaying of Nuada, the Tuatha Dé Danann’s leader.
Characterized as an “unkingly king,” according to author Fiona Macleod, Balor stands as a pivotal figure in Irish myth: his existence directly affects the lineage of future Irish heroes. Without Balor, there would be no Lugh, and subsequently no Cú Chulainn, linking generations of myths to his character.
While it’s accepted among scholars that Balor was a significant leader of the Fomorians, the exact nature of his divinity is debatable.
The Fomorian Legacy
To fully understand Balor, one must delve into the origins of the Fomorians, an enigmatic race noted in the Mythological Cycle of Irish mythology. This cycle narrates the early invasions of Ireland, as chronicled in the 11th-century “Lebor Gabála Érenn” or Book of Invasions, comprising accounts of multiple invader groups, with the Fomorians notably absent.
The Fomorians are portrayed as grotesque beings who made frequent incursions into Ireland, causing strife and seizing valuable treasures like the Cauldron of Plenty. They imposed onerous tributes on the vulnerable Irish tribes, demanding a significant portion of their harvest and even some of their newborns, underlining their role as harbingers of oppression.
The notion of the Fomorians as dark deities stems from the idea that they symbolize the forces of chaos and winter. However, the classification of Balor and his kin as gods remains a contentious issue, particularly because it was the Tuatha Dé Danann who ultimately triumphed over the Fomorians.
Ellis categorizes Balor as a “god of death,” linking his character to a vast mythology populated with other divine personalities, including the Morrígan, who fought fiercely against Balor’s forces in the Second Battle of Magh Tuired.
The Physical Representation of Balor
Balor’s depictions are often fantastical; he’s envisioned as a colossus with significant muscle distinction. Throughout popular adaptations, he has been rendered in different forms, from demonic figures with horns in Marvel’s interpretations to more human-like portrayals in DC Comics, yet both miss a critical aspect of his character—the colossal eye that defined him.
As described by Irish dramatist Lady Gregory, Balor needed the assistance of several individuals to lift his eye’s lid, emphasizing its overwhelming size. At times, Balor’s eye was covered, maintaining a potent power waiting to be unleashed, which could incinerate everything in its path.
Interestingly, Balor is noted as a one-eyed figure with the ability to shapeshift, though his transformations often remained rare occurrences. One of the most significant stories involves Balor disguising himself as a child to steal a magic cow, reflecting the cunning often associated with Fomorian mythos.
The Prophetic Downfall of Balor
The myth surrounding Balor culminates in his own downfall, famously predicted by a prophecy. Despite his attempts to thwart his destined demise, Balor’s lineage ultimately led to his death. In a climactic battle during the Second Battle of Magh Tuired, Lugh, empowered as the Tuatha Dé’s champion, delivers the fatal blow to Balor’s evil eye, leading to widespread devastation among the Fomorians.
The aftermath of Balor’s death became part of the mythological landscape. His severed head underwent various interpretations, from being a source of power to becoming a site commemorated through geographical names and folklore.
His story represents a tension between light and dark, culminating in the triumph of the Tuatha Dé Danann over their oppressors, the Fomorians, carving a significant chapter in Irish mythology.
Conclusion
Balor of the Evil Eye remains an essential figure in the tapestry of Irish mythology, embodying themes of power, prophecy, and the tumultuous battle between order and chaos. His legacy, steeped in vigorous conflict and tragic familial ties, continues to inform narratives about heroism and the enduring struggle of good against evil in the age-old tales of Ireland.
