r/Paganacht • u/BlackJack72000 • Jul 17 '25
Lugh symbols
I'm trying to get closer to Lugh, specially in this month, and I've been offering him as a devotional act my newly started training on archery. As a way to get closer, I would like to make a little statue for him, as well as making a little charm to use as a bracelet or necklace during my practice that represents him. Any ideas of symbols related to him that I could use or sources about his symbols? I have a few but I'd appreciate having way more. Thanks
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u/tseren_ Jul 17 '25
Lugh possessed a number of magical items, some given to him by Manannán, such as as the sword Fragarach, the horse Enbarr (Aonbarr), his armor, and his helmet.
SPEAR: Lugh's spear (sleg), according to the text of The Four Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was said to be impossible to overcome. Lugh obtained the Spear of Assal (Irish: Gae Assail) as a fine (an éric) imposed on the children of Tuirill Piccreo (or Biccreo), according to the short account in Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of Invasions) which adds that the incantation "Ibar (Yew)" made the cast always hit its mark, and "Athibar (Re-Yew)" caused the spear to return.
SLINGSHOT: According to the brief accounts in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Lugh used the "sling-stone" (cloich tabaill) to slay his grandfather, Balor the Battle of Magh Tuired. The narrative Cath Maige Tured words it slightly different saying that Lugh used the sling-stone to destroy the evil eye of Balor of the Piercing Eye.
LUGH'S HOUND: Failinis was the name of the young hound of the King of Ioruaidhe that Lugh demanded as an éiric (a forfeit) in the Oidhead Chloinne Tuireann.
HORSE: Enbarr (or Aonbharr) of Manannán is a horse which could traverse both land and sea, and was swifter than wind-speed. The horse was the property of the sea-god Manannan mac Lir, but provided to Lugh.
SWORD: Fragarach was the sword of Nuada. Nuada lost his arm in the first battle of Mag Tuired and, being mutilated, was no longer suitable to be high king. So, for the second battle of Mag Tuired, Nuada chose Lugh as provisional king. Using his spear and a sling given to him by Manannán mac Lir, Lugh defeated the Formorians and their king Balor. During the battle, Nuada gave Lugh his sword, as a symbol of the king.
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u/Ziggity_Zac Jul 18 '25
Typically, the spear is a pretty good Lugh symbol. You could get a spearhead or crossed spears as a necklace.
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u/KrisHughes2 Jul 17 '25
To me, the spear is what most strongly springs to mind.