Spear of Lugh

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H.R. Millar's illustration of "Lugh's Magic Spear", 1905.

In Irish mythology, the Spear Lúin (originally Luisne, meaning 'flaming' or 'glaring') or Spear of Lugh is one of the Four Treasures of Ireland (the others being the Claíomh Solais, the Dagda's Cauldron and the Stone of Fál).

The Spear Luin was originally forged by the god Lugh for use against Balor of the Evil Eye. In other versions, the spear was brought by Lugh from the city of Finias, one of the four otherworldly cities in the 'Northern Islands' from which the Tuatha Dé Danann came to Ireland.

It was this spear that won for Lugh the epithet Lámhfhada, the 'Long-handed'.^{[citation needed]} Whoever wielded it in battle would emerge victorious.^[1]

It was said to be so intensely hot that it had to be kept point-down in a large barrel of water (namely the Dagda's Cauldron Coire Ansic "Un-dry") so as not to burn down the place in which it was held.

The spear constantly dripped blood.^{[citation needed]}

It may or may not be the same as the Gáe Bulg (q.v.), a weapon or technique wielded by Lugh's natural son Cú Chulaind.

A different spear of Lugh, the spear of Assal, was brought back to Lugh by the sons of Tuireann in atonement for their killing of Cian. When thrown in battle, uttering the word ibur, the spear of Assal always hit its target; it returned to the thrower on uttering the word athibar.^[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Duane, Diane. A Wizard Abroad, 1993 Harcourt, Inc.
Keating, Geoffrey. The History of Ireland, pp205-212

^ Macalister, R. A. Stewart. Lebor Gabála Érenn. Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII, Third Redaction, ¶ 357.
^ Macalister, R. A. Stewart. Lebor Gabála Érenn. Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII, First Redaction, ¶ 319.