Aengus
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- For other uses of Angus Og, see Angus Og.
In Irish mythology, Aengus (Áengus, Óengus, Angus) aka Aengus Óg ("Aengus the Young"), Mac ind Óg ("son of the young") or Mac Óg ("young son") was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann and probably a god of love, youth and beauty. He was said to have four birds symbolizing kisses flying about his head. His parents were the Dagda and Boann. He was said to have lived at Newgrange by the river Boyne.
The Dagda had an affair with Boann, wife of Nechtan. In order to hide their affair, the Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months; therefore, Aengus was conceived, gestated and born in one day. Elcmar was his foster-father.
When he came of age Aengus dispossesed the Dagda of his home, the Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange). He arrived after the Dagda had shared out his land among his children, and there was nothing left for Aengus, so Aengus asked his father if he could live in the Brú for a day and a night, and the Dagda agreed. But Irish has no indefinite article, so "a day and a night" is the same as "day and night", which covers all time, and so Aengus took possession of the Brú permanently.
Aengus fell in love with a girl he had seen in his dreams. His mother, Boann, searched Ireland for an entire year. Then his father, the Dagda, did the same. Finally, King Bodb Dearg of Munster found her after a year.
Aegus went to the lake of the Dragons's Mouth and found 150 girls chained up in pairs. He found his girl, Caer. On November 1, Caer and the other girls would turn into a swan for one year. Aengus was told he could marry Caer if he could identify her as a swan. Aengus succeeded. He turned himself into a swan and they flew away, singing beautiful music that put all its listeners asleep for three days and nights.
Aengus was the foster-father and protector of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne of the Fianna.
Aengus is probably connected to the ancient Celtic god Maponos and his Welsh equivalent, Mabon ap Modron.
Alternative: Aengus the Young, Angus, Anghus, Aonghus, Angus Og, Aengus mac Oc, Oengus mac Oc
Namesakes
Aengus was also a popular Irish and Scots Gaelic name, borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures, including:
- Aengus Olmucada, legendary High King of Ireland of the 15th century BC
- Aengus Ollamh, legendary High King of Ireland of the 5th century BC
- Aengus Tuirmech Temrach, legendary High King of Ireland of the 4th century BC
- Aengus mac Nadfraoch, first Christian king of Munster, 5th century AD
- Oengus of Dalriada, Scottish king of the 9th century ADfr:Oengus