Story Summary
Explore The Wooing of Etain, an Irish legend of love, rebirth, and magic where Midir seeks his lost bride across lifetimes to bring her back to the Otherworld.
Midir, a prince of the Tuatha Dé Danann, fell deeply in love with the beautiful Etain. However, Midir's first wife, Fuamnach, consumed by jealousy, used a magic wand to transform Etain into a scarlet fly. A Great Wind blew Etain away for seven years until she fell into the golden cup of an Ulster chieftain’s wife. Swallowed whole, she was reborn a thousand years later as a mortal princess. This new Etain married Eochaid Airem, the High King of Ireland. Midir, having never forgotten her, appeared at the royal court and challenged the King to a series of games of fidchell. Midir intentionally lost several times to build the King's pride, but for the final stakes, he requested a kiss and an embrace from Etain. Upon winning, Midir took Etain in his arms, and before the King’s eyes, the pair transformed into two white swans linked by a golden chain, flying away to the magical realm of the Sidhe.
The Moral
True love is an eternal force that transcends time, physical form, and even the boundaries between life and death.
“All are lovely until Etain is seen; all are fair until Etain is known.”
Fun Fact
The game of fidchell mentioned in the story was said to have been invented by the god Lugh and was considered a necessary skill for Irish royalty and heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Wooing of Etain?
The story emphasizes that true love is an immortal force that cannot be broken by jealousy or the passage of time. It suggests that one's true nature and spiritual destiny will eventually find a way to manifest regardless of worldly obstacles.
How was Etain transformed in the legend?
Midir's jealous first wife, Fuamnach, used a magical wand to turn Etain into a beautiful scarlet fly. In this form, she was carried away by a magical wind for centuries before being reborn as a mortal woman.
What game did Midir and Eochaid play?
They played fidchell, an ancient Irish board game often compared to chess or wood-intelligence. Midir used the game to challenge the King and eventually win back his right to be with Etain.
Is Etain a goddess or a mortal?
Etain is originally a member of the divine Tuatha Dé Danann. After her magical transformation and being swallowed by a mortal woman, she is reborn as a human, making her a bridge between the divine and mortal worlds.
What happened at the end of the story?
After Midir won the final game of fidchell, he embraced Etain. The two transformed into magnificent white swans and flew through the skylight of the palace, returning together to the fairy realm of the Sidhe.
Who is Fuamnach in Irish mythology?
Fuamnach was the first wife of Midir and a powerful sorceress. Her jealousy of Etain drives the plot, as her spells of transformation and wind cause Etain's thousand-year displacement from the fairy realm.