Background
Aoife, known as “The Bright One,” was the daughter of Ailill from Aran and the foster daughter of Bodhbh Dearg, the ruler of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She was also the younger sister of Aobh, the first wife of Lir of SídhFionnachaidh.
Stories of Aoife
After the tragic passing of Lir’s wife during childbirth, Aoife was welcomed as his second wife, aimed at providing him solace. Initially, Aoife felt a deep happiness, lavishing love on her four stepchildren. Lir’s affection for his children was immense, often wanting them to share a room so he could greet them each morning and night. However, as time went on, Aoife’s heart filled with jealousy over Lir’s devotion to his children.
Her envy ultimately overwhelmed her, leading her to devise a journey that misled the children into believing they were visiting their step-grandfather, Bodhbh. In secret, Aoife plotted to eliminate the children during this trip. Yet, when faced with the prospect of harming them, she faltered. Instead, she resorted to her magical prowess, conjuring a spell that transformed Lir’s children into swans. Though they retained their human minds and voices, Fionnuala, the eldest daughter, fervently pleaded for the spell’s reversal. Aoife, feeling a pang of remorse, realized too late that she could not undo what she had done. Instead, she placed a condition on the spell, dictating that it would only end when a noblewoman from the south married a nobleman from the north.
When Bodhbh learned of Aoife’s dreadful act, he exacted his own form of justice—transforming her into a demon who would be cast to wander among the four winds eternally. Yet, whispers say that on stormy nights, one might still hear her sorrowful cries mingling with the wind’s howl.
Additionally, tales suggest that Aoife was transformed into a crane-like creature, condemned to drift endlessly in the skies. Some legends tell of a crane bag, crafted from Aoife’s skin, which holds treasures and sacred artifacts of the Fianna. Cranes have come to symbolize good fortune, known to flee the land during wartime, hinting at the hope for peace. The connection between women and birds emerges as a recurring motif in folklore and mythology across various cultures.
Conclusion
Aoife’s jealousy as a stepmother led to dire consequences, marking her as a tragic figure in the tales told about her.
