Blathnat, the Flower Maiden, is Angus Og’s foster sister. She is a Fairy woman, a goddess, although this is rarely made explicit in the legends told of her. Versions vary: she may have eloped with the hero Cu Chulain, or she may have been kidnapped by him and/or his rival, Cu Roi. She may or may not have helped loot her father’s treasure/burial mound, and if she did, she may or may not have done so willingly.
The single consistent feature of the legends about her is that she betrays Cu Roi to Cu Chulain. Cu Roi is almost immortal: he can only be killed by his own sword. Delilah-like, Blathnat inveigles this secret from him and then slips the sword to Cu Chulain. She signals Cu Chulain to let him know when Cu Roi is vulnerable. (In some versions, he’s sleeping; in others, he’s in the bath.)
In some versions, she rides off happily with Cu Chulain following Cu Roi’s death. Alternatively she dies at the end of the story, killed by Cu Roi’s bard. Lugaid, son of Blathnat and Cu Roi, eventually avenged his father, slaying Cu Chulain.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Blathnait; Blathnet
ORIGIN:
Ireland
CLASSIFICATION:
Tuatha Dé Danaan
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE :
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
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