Overview
Aengus, known as the Young One, is recognized in Irish mythology as the deity of love and poetry. Renowned for his creativity and cunning nature, he inherited charm and wit from his father, the Dagda, and played a significant role as one of the leading bards among the Tuatha Dé Danann, a revered tribe in Irish lore. Aengus resided in Brú na Bóinne, a remarkable abode he shared temporarily with his father.
Etymology
The name Aengus, derived from the Old Irish Óengus or Oíngus, traces back to Proto-Celtic roots of oino- and gus, translating to “one strength.” His various titles, including Aengus Óg (the Young Aengus) and Maccan o Mac Óg (young son), highlight his essence as an eternal youth.
Attributes
Aengus embodies youth, love, and poetic inspiration wherein these traits interconnect, as the fervor of youthful love often spurs poetic creativity. His cleverness and linguistic skills frequently allowed him to outsmart those older than himself. His perennial youth endowed him with significant abilities concerning life and death, including a unique power to revive the deceased, although these resurrections might not always endure. The capacity to resurrect was akin to what was known to exist within his father’s mighty club.
Further, Aengus possessed shapeshifting abilities, inherited from the Dagda, enabling him to locate a woman transformed into a swan. His magical prowess allowed kisses to metamorphose into birds, animals he cherished above all else. Aengus was depicted as a strikingly youthful man often accompanied by birds that served dual roles as both messengers and irritants. His arsenal comprised two swords named Moralltach (Great Fury) and Beagalltach (Little Fury), alongside two spears known as Gáe Buide and Gáe Derg. Aengus claimed Brú na Bóinne in County Meath, near Drogheda, as his home and also lent his name to Dun Aengus located on the Aran Islands in County Galway.
Family
Aengus was born to the Dagda, the chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and Boann, the goddess of the River Boyne, making him the stepson of Boann’s husband, Elcmar, who served as a judge among the Tuatha Dé Danann. Among his siblings, Midir stands out as both a brother and a foster-father, with Cermait and Brigid being notable siblings as well. In later life, Aengus took on the role of a foster-father to Diarmuid Ua Duibhe. He is famously united with Caer Ibormeith, a princess manifested from his dreams.
Mythology
Aengus features prominently across various Celtic myths.
Origins
He was conceived at dawn and born between daybreak and dusk. The Dagda had a longing for Boann, who was married to Elcmar. In the absence of her husband, the two carried on an affair, resulting in Boann’s pregnancy. To keep their secret, Boann and the Dagda devised a plan; the Dagda held the sun in place for nine months, allowing Boann to be pregnant for only a single day, with Elcmar remaining unaware. Eventually, Aengus was placed under the care of Midir to shield him from Elcmar’s ire.
Theft of Brú na Bóinne
As Aengus matured, he became increasingly shrewd. Alongside his father, he plotted to seize Brú na Bóinne from Elcmar. The pair requested to stay with him for a day and night, with the term being interpreted in a manner favoring Aengus and the Dagda. Elcmar unwittingly granted them access indefinitely, allowing Aengus and his father to occupy their newfound home permanently.
Wooing of Étaín
Aengus found himself in competition with Midir for the affection of Étaín, a stunning mortal. Ultimately, Midir was victorious but faced the wrath of his first wife, Fúamnach, who used sorcery to scatter the couple. In her fury, she transformed Étaín into a fly and whisked her away. Aengus identified her in this new form and endeavored to restore her, only for her to be tragically swallowed by the wife of the warrior Étar, which led to Étaín’s demise. Fueled by rage, Aengus sought revenge against Fúamnach and ended her life.
The Dreams of Aengus
Later, Aengus began to dream of a beautiful maiden who captivated him. Despite the greatest efforts from both parents in searching for her, a year passed without success. With additional assistance, they finally learned her name, Caer Ibormeith, courtesy of King Bodg Derg, a friend of the Dagda. Aengus found himself at the shores of a lake named Dragon’s Mouth, where he discovered 150 women shackled in chains. As the end of the Celtic year approached, these women were destined to be swans for a year. Aengus struck a deal with their captors, asserting that if he could identify his dream maiden among the swans, he would be entitled to marry her. Upon their transformation, Aengus shifted into a swan and cried out to his beloved. Upon finding one another, they soared together, their song enchanting enough to render their captors asleep for three days.
Other Tales
Upon returning from an extensive journey, Aengus found that his father had distributed their land among Aengus’ siblings, leaving him with nothing. In a fit of anger, he posed the same question to the Dagda as they did to Elcmar, gaining permission to stay for a day and a night, thus securing his solitary reign over Brú na Bóinne. Despite differences, the Dagda was eventually laid to rest in the very same place.
In “The Death of the Tuatha de Dannan,” Aengus avenged his stepfather Elcmar after Elcmar had slain his brother and foster-father Midir. In another narrative, he defended his brother Cermait’s honor against accusations made by King Lugh of the Long Arm’s bard.
Aengus also supported his foster-son Diarmuid Ua Duibhne during his clandestine affair with Gráinne, who was engaged to Finn MacCool, the chief of the Fianna. When this relationship was discovered, Aengus sheltered and armed Diarmuid as he fled across Ireland. Sadly, Diarmuid eventually met his end, and Aengus would breathe life into his body whenever he wished to speak to him posthumously.
Other Mythology
Aengus potentially shares roots with Maponos, a Britano-Gaullish youthful deity, known as Mabon ap Modron in Wales. He exhibits resemblances to Greco-Roman Eros (commonly recognized as Cupid) due to his associations with love and youth. Furthermore, Aengus’s poetic prowess and charm connect him with figures like the Greek Apollo and Norse Odr. The name Aengus gained popularity, inspiring generations of characters in Irish literature with distinct titles to differentiate them from the god.
Pop Culture
Aengus has made numerous appearances in contemporary works:
– The character serves as the main antagonist in “Hounded,” the debut novel in the Iron Druid series.
– He appears alongside his father in “Hellboy: the Wild Hunt.”
– In “The New Policeman” by Kate Thompson, Aengus guides the protagonist through Tir na Og.
– He is the chief character in William Butler Yeats’ poem “The Song of Wandering Aengus,” which encapsulates his perpetual quest for love.
– Aengus also figures as one of the youthful deities in James Stephens’ “The Crock of Gold.”
