rowan

rowan [ON reynir]. The small deciduous tree (genus Sorbus aucuparia), also called the quicken tree or mountain ash, has rich associations in all modern Celtic literatures. Its distinctive clusters of white flowers and orange-red berries contribute to its reputation. In the ogham alphabet of early Ireland the letter L was signified by luis [rowan]. The druids of Ireland favoured rowan, hawthorn, and yew over the oak, favoured by the druids of Gaul. The semi-divine Tuatha Dé Danann were thought to have brought rowan to Ireland from Tír Tairngire [the Land of Promise]. In Tochmarc Étaíne [The Wooing of Étaín], the jealous Fuamnach transforms Étaín into a pool of water by striking her with a rod of rowan. Ailill mac Máta sends Fráech in search of rowan, just as Graínne demands that Diarmait get some for her. Often the rowanberry was thought to foster rejuvenation: a man 160 years old could be returned to his prime with the honey taste of rowanberries. The happy dead rest under woven roofs of quicken or rowan boughs. The salmon of knowledge [Ir. eó fis, eó fiosach] eats rowanberries. In all Celtic fairy lore, the rowan was thought to offer the best protection against fairy enchantments and witchcraft. In the Isle of Man twigs of rowan were made into crosses, crosh cuirn, and placed over doorways and hidden in the long tails of cattle to protect them from harm. On Man also rowan boughs were carried in Beltaine [May Day] ceremonies. OIr. luis; ModIr. caorthann; ScG caorunn; Manx keirn, kern; W cerddinen; Corn. kerdhynen; Bret. kerzhinenn. See also the FENIAN story; BRUIDHEAN CHAORTHAINN [The Hostel of the Quicken Tree]; ASH.