Lia Fail - The Stone of Fal or Destiiny
The stone sits at Tara, the home of Ireland's High Kings, where it serves as a coronation stone. It is said to scream with joy when the rightful king puts his foot upon it. But is this truly the stone the Tuatha Dé Danann brought from Failias? While some contend it is, others believe the true stone was buried away, perhaps on the Mound of Hostages to keep the English from getting their hands on it. Who can say?
Slea Bua - The Spear of Lugh
There's no need to wield this spear since it acts on its own. No man can overcome it or deflect it, for it always hits its mark and returns to its master once the job is done.
Claidheamh Soluis - Nuada's Sword - The Sword of Light
Once it is unsheathed, it can only administer a mortal blow. If you're its target,your fate is sealed.
Cauldro of Dagda - The Cauldron of Abundance
No one ever goes away hungry because it holds an endless suppoy of food.
Corrbolg - The Crane Bag
Manannan mac Lir's son, Illbreac, was in love with a woman named Aoife, but a jealous rival by the name of Luchra turned her into a crane, forbidding her from landing for 200 years. And so, she flew to the Otherworld, where Manannan mac Lir took pity on her. In fact, it is said, the two became good friends. When Aoife died, Manannan mourned her and made her skin into a magical bag referred to as the corrbolg or the crane bag. Into the bag he put many of his most sacred items, thus making her the keeper of those valuable items. But much like the ebb and flow of Manannan's grief and the tides that were tide to him, the son of the sea god, the items within the bag were only visible when the tide was high. Now, let's consider some of the items within the corrbolg.
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
In Irish mythology, the crane was known for its ability to fly from water to land and from this world to the other. As such, it is a perfect vessel to hold the magical gifts of Manannan mac Lir, which was passed down to each leader of the Fianna from Lugh to Fionn mac Cumhaill. The first thing mentioned withi it are Manannan's leine and his knife. No mention is made of what these actually represent, but they could be a symbol of power and authority.
Goibhne's Hook and Girdle
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
Goibhniu was one of three brothers who made up a trio of divine craftsmen. He was noted for furnishing the weapons used by the Tuatha Dé Danann, notably in the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh. His hook and girdle, crafted from whale's skin were included in the corrbolg. These were clearly meant to symbolize the powerful weapons and armor passed on to the Fianna.
*Note: the other two brothers were Creidhne, the wright, and Luchtaine, the carpenter.
King of Scotland's Shears & Lochlainn's Helmet
The Corrbolg or Crane Bag Itself
King of Scotland's Shears & Lochlainn's Helmet
Once again, no mention is made of what exactly these two items represented, though it is clear they are meant to be viewed as items of great value. They could represent victory over the respective kings, or perhaps symbols of strength. The shears could mean cutting unsuccessful ties, while the helmet could represent prowess in battle. Another theory suggests that they represent the missing letters in the Ogham alphabet - The shears for X and the King of Lochlainn's helmet for the diamond shape.
Other Treasures of Manannan mac Lir
Fragarach & Díoltach
Fragarach & Díoltach
Fragarach & Díoltach
Manannan mac Lir owned two swords. The first was called the Fragarach or the Answerer. If held against a man's throat, he could tell no lie. But that was not its only attribute. The sword could cut through any armor and inflict a fatal wound.
The second sword was called the Díoltach or Retailiator whose every blow was sure to kill.
Aonbharr
Fragarach & Díoltach
Fragarach & Díoltach
Aonbharr or Enbarr of the Flowing Mane was Manannan mac Lir's horse, known for being able to gallop across land and sea alike and fly like the wind. Though it belonged to Manannan, he was known to allow his adopted son, Lugh Lamhfada to use as he needed.
Sguaba Tuinne
Fragarach & Díoltach
An Craobh Airgid
The Sguaba Tuinne or Wind Sweeper was a boat that navigated without the use of oars or sail. It took its direction from the thoughts of its passengers alone.
An Craobh Airgid
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
An Craobh Airgid
The Silver Bough or Branch could be found in Emain Ablach, the place of apples, one of the realms of the Otherworld that Manannan mac Lir was said to rule over. It was said the branch produced a soft music that could lull a man into a deep sleep or a dreamlike state, so he could be lured into the Otherworld. Manannan gave one of these branches to Bran mac Febail, thus granting him passage to the Otherworld.
Goblet of Truth
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
The Goblet of Truth was said to break, perhaps into three pieces, when three lies were told over it. But if three truths were told over it, the goblet would repair itself. It was also known as the Goblet of Truth and Lies.
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
Cathbarr, lúirech, scabal
Not much is known about what Manannan mac Lir's armor looks like, but it was said to protect its wearer from any blow that could be leveled against him. Some folklore says that the armor was adorned with seashells, however, which would fit with his position as son of the sea god, Lir. As for his helmet, legend holds that it was adorned with at least two jewels that would flash during battle, dazzling the enemy and giving the wearer the advantage.
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
Whether the cloak and the féth fíada are two separate entities or one and the same is debatable. At any rate, I've chosen to make a distinction here. The cloak of forgetfulness was definitely used for that purpose - to make someone forget something. A famous tale tells of using it on his wife, Fand, and her lover, Cu Chulainn. He placed the cloak between them and thus erased all memory they had of each other. The cloak seems to have another purpose as well, however. It can hide the wearer from sight, rendering him invisible, though it is its ability to invoke forgetfulness that appears to be its prime purpose in most cases.
Féth Fíada
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
While the Cloak of Forgetfulness does provide the wearer with invisibility, it seems to be on a more personal basis, that is, it seems to be able to keep the wearer hidden from prying eyes. The Féth Fíada, however, is employed on a much wider basis. It is said that it was Manannan mac Lir who led the Túatha Dé Danann beneath ground after they were defeated by the Milesians. To keep his people safe from the world above, he invoked a heavy mist known as the Féth Fíada. Whether he used his cloak to accomplish this or a spell is up for debate. Either way, even today, people hesitate from wandering into a heavy Irish mist. One reason is practical in that it renders it difficult to see where they're going. The second reason is the fear that the aos sidhe might carry them off should they enter.
Magical Swine and Cow
Cloak of Forgetfulness and the Féth Fíada
Magical Swine and Cow
Manannan mac Lir was said to have a swine that would regenerate itself after being eaten, thus providing an endless supply of food. It is also suggested that he went to India to procure a cow with the same regenatative quality. This cow never ran dry, and so was said to supply an endless supply of milk.
