Cruadin (sword)
Cruadin (also known as Cruaidin) is a mythological sword wielded by the Irish hero Cú Chulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. It is one of his named weapons, alongside the spear Gáe Bulg.
Description
According to The Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects, Cruaidin was renowned for its supernatural sharpness and craftsmanship. The sword is described as having a hilt of gold with silver ornamentation. The blade was flexible: if its tip was bent back to the hilt, it would snap back into place as straight as it ever was. It was also incredibly sharp—keen enough to cut a hair on water and able to cleave a man in two without him realizing it until some time had passed.
In the saga Cath Ruis na Ríg for Bóinn, Cruadin is named among the "charmed, right-good arms of Cú Chulaind" delivered by Laeg mac Riangabra during Cú Chulainn’s duel with Cairpre Nia Fer. It is described there as the "hard-headed Cruadin," used in conjunction with the spear Duaibsech to kill the king of Tara in single combat.
The original passage describes the moment as follows:
- It is then that Cuchulain sought for the armies and for Cairpre Nia Fer. And he went against him, and brought shield against shield to him, and brought hand against hand and face against face.
- It is then that Cairpre Nia Fer plied his strength upon Cu Chulaind and clasped his two hands about his weapons outside, and launched the cast of a throw [over] the battalions of the Galían.
- It is then that Cu Chulaind went through the [battalions] out without bleedings, without wounding [on him].
- It is then that Laeg son of Riangabair met him, with the charmed, right-good arms of Cu Chulaind in his hand, namely, the hard-headed Cruadin and the terrifying Duaibsech, that is, his own spear, in his hand.
- He waved and brandished it, he shook and adjusted it, and he launched a cast of a throw of it from him then towards Cairpre Nia Fer, so that it pitched in his breast and in his bosom, and pierced his heart in his chest, and cleft his back in two.
- His body had not reached ground, when Cu Chulaind made a spring towards it and cut his head off him.
- And he shook his [Cairpre's] head towards the armies then.
Variants
Alternate forms of the name include Cruaidin Cailidcheann ("Hard, Hard-Headed") and Cruaidin Cotatcenn.
Sources
- Gregory, Augusta. Cuchulain of Muirthemne. Putnam, 1902, p. 45.
- Pendergrass, R. Mythological Swords. London: Llewellyn Press, 1999, p. 13.
- The Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects, s.v. "Cruaidin".
- Stokes, Whitley. "Cath Ruis na Ríg for Bóinn." *Revue Celtique*, vol. 12, 1891, pp. 52–130.
See also
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