cow

cow. The mature female of cattle appears often in Celtic narrative and visual art, although not so differently from other European traditions. If cattle were once worshipped, as we believe, their earlier status attaches more to the male of the species; see BULL. Cattle were always valued possessions, among both human and otherworldly society; this was especially true of herding societies, such as that of early Ireland. The agnomen of Brian Bórama (Boru) testifies to his wealth [Ir. bórama, cow-countings (?), i.e. tribute]. A bóaire [cow-noble, stock owner] was a freeman. No evidence of a cult of the cow survives, although it is suggested in the minor Continental goddess Damona and the etymology of Boand, goddess of the Boyne. The Welsh Triads speak of three prominent cows of Britain, implying a legend about cows not known to us.

Important female figures having strong associations with cows are Boand, Brigit, Flidais, Mórrígan, and Verbeia. The magical cow of Irish folk tradition was Glas Ghaibhleann, and its counterpart in Scottish Gaelic tradition was Glas Ghaibhnann. The hornless fairy cattle of the Scottish Highlands are the Crodh Mara. The fairy cattle of Wales are known as gwartheg y llyn. Otherworldly or fairy cows are usually thought to be white with red ears.

The Druimin Donn Dílis: The Faithful Brown, Whitebacked Cow, is a poetic name for Ireland. According to Irish place-name legend, three cows once emerged from the sea, Bó Finn [white cow], Bó Dub [black cow], and Bó Derg [red cow]. They scattered across the island, the black going south, the red going north, and the white going straight across; this accounts for the many Irish town names beginning ‘Bó-’. The word for cow in both Old and Modern Irish is bó ScG bò; Manx booa; W bu, buwch; Corn. bugh; Bret. ejen [the animal], bevin (the meat of the animal). See also BULL.