Say “Deathly Hallows” out loud these days, and the knee-jerk response of most who live outside of caves will be “Harry Potter.”
 |
| King Arthur |
Shockingly, great legends existed even before Harry came along. These legends included talk of deathly
hallows.
They hailed from pre-Christian Ireland, Welsh tradition, and Arthurian England.
When the Tuatha De Danann (semi-divine mythological followers of the goddess Danu) came to ancient Ireland, they brought four hallows (some quite deathly) with them.
These
Four Treasures included the (All-Father) Dagda's bottomless Cauldron (from which no one returned unsatisfied), (Divine High King) Lugh's live and bloodthirsty Spear, the (Big Stone of Fal or Stone of Destiny) Lia Fail (which roared with joy only when the rightful High King of Ireland stepped upon it), and (King of the Tuatha De for seven years) Nuadu's Sword of Light (which none could escape from once it was drawn from its shield).
The
Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain are referenced in 15
th and 16
th century texts.
They derive from Welsh - and include Arthurian - tradition.
Some of the more deathly of these thirteen hallows include the following:
the Sword (which could distinguish between worthy and unworthy men) of Rhydderch Hael (Riderch the Generous, who once ruled in what is now southern Scotland/northern England), the Cauldron (which could distinguish between cowardly and brave men) of Dyrnwch the Giant (an enemy of
King Arthur’s), the Chariot (which could immediately transport a man to wherever he wanted to be) of Morgan Mwynfawr (a King of Wales), and King Arthur’s Mantle (which could render anyone beneath it invisible, yet able to see others through it).
These Four and Thirteen Treasures have been considered sacred for centuries.
Are they more hallowed than Harry’s
Three (Elder Wand, Cloak of Invisibility, and Resurrection Stone)?
Only
lots more time will tell…
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathly_Hallows_(objects)#Deathly_Hallows
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Treasures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyrnwyn
Copyright December 1, 2010 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment