Celtic mythology and its cultural significance

Celtic Myths

The Fianna are "represented as a kind of military Order composed mainly of the members of two clans, Clan Bascna and Clan Morna (Rolleston 252). Physical prowess was a key trait of the Fianna, who were expected also to be superior hunters. The Fianna were also noted for strength of character and admirable integrity. Traditional Celtic heroes like Cuchulain express the noble qualities of the Fianna in their physical form. Cuchulain was the "mightiest hero of the Celtic race," (Rolleston 182). Although supernatural powers were not integral to the Fianna, Cuchulain and other Celtic heros do have some such powers attributed to them. For example, Cuchulain's sword spoke, a symbol of his being a blessed warrior (Rolleston 121). The Fianna are depicted as being human heroes, however. They did have typical human qualities including competitiveness: the different clans of the Fianna vied for supremacy and sometimes feuded with one another. Finn's father Cumhal was the chief of the Clan Bascna and the Clan Bascna vied with Clan Morna "for leadership of the Fianna," (Rolleston 255). Similarly, Cuchulain and Ferdia engaged in a legendary battle.

Finn's grandchild Geena mac Luga exemplified the qualities that were antithetical to the Fianna (Rolleston 262). Geena mac Luga became "slothful and selfish, forever vaulting himself and his weapon-skill and never training his men to the chase of deer or boar, and he used to beat his hounds and his serving-men," (Rolleston 262). Each of these qualities did disservice to the name of the Fianna, who were too noble and honorable to act slothfully or selfishly. The Fianna were bold and confident but would not deign to "vault" themselves arrogantly. Moroever, hunting was a core skill of the Fianna, yet Geena mac Luga did not train his men in the art of skillful hunts. Beating his hounds and his servicemen was considered ignoble as well. As a result of his grandson's dishonorable behavior, Finn developed the Maxims of the Fianna. The Maxims of the Fianna outlined the proscribed behaviors of the Celtic warriors. In fact, Finn directly addresses mac Luga in the Maxims.

Fianna are supposed to desist from unjust fights, such as those in which the opponent is a "fool" or a "madman" or someone "wicked," (Rolleston 263). Irrational violence, such as that displayed by mac Luga, was not tolerable for the Fianna. The Fianna saved their physical prowess for just causes. Finn also advises mac Luga to speak wisely and truthfully and stick to one's word. Honesty is a hallmark of Fianna behavior: "Truth was in our hearts and strength in our arms, what we said, that we fulfilled," said Keela (Rolleston 265). These were qualities Finn believed to be central to the character of the Fianna.

Conan the Bald might have been a "coward," one who "rarely adventured himself in battle with the Fianna," (Rolleston 260). However, Conan was not ignoble. The Fianna mocked Conan, thrusting him into a battle as a joke. The joke seemed to have backfired, as Conan "won the victory by a trick," meaning he waited until his opponent turned around to chop his head off (Rolleston 260). In spite of his cowardly behavior, Conan fits the profile of the Fianna better than mac Luga did. Conan the Bald nevertheless fails to live up to the inherently strong and valorous nature deserving of membership in the Fianna.

Keelta seems an admirable Fianna, even though Keelta converted to Christianity after meeting Saint Patrick. Keelta came to the rescue of the Fairy Folk and was wounded in the process. His bravery and courage earns him deep respect not just among the Fianna but also among the Fairy Folk. Keelta, like all true Fianna, stuck to his word. For example, the Fairy Folk offer Keelta eternal youth and Keelta turns them down because his newfound belief in Christ forbids him to engage in any such "sorcery" that might go against the will of God (Rolleston 266).

Finn continues to embody the most core qualities of the Fianna in Celtic mythology: he is brave, noble, and just. Yet he also possesses the romantic heart of a poet. For instance, out of love and mourning for Saba, he ceases the hunt. Finn nevertheless returns to the hunt again because his spirit is strong. Indeed, love and romance are part and parcel fo the Fianna ways, which is one of the reasons why the traditional Celtic traditions clashed with the Christian religion (Rolleston 276). Similarly, the Fianna and the Fairy Folk have a long history together, including both "love and war," (Rolleston 284). Finn is in fact emblematic of the Fianna. Oisin once remarked that if the Christian God had seen fit to kill both Finn and Oscar that "God is a strong man," (Rolleston 276).