Goodness I had no idea that the translation of Crom Cruach’s name was so gruesome! Also I didn’t know that the snake in The Secret of Kells was supposed to be him as well—I like this interpretation. It makes him seem a lot more primal and animalistic, plus it reminds me of the giant serpent found widespread across Indo-European myths.
The Christian authors really wanted to play up the barbarity of the gods of their pagan ancestors I guess!
Still not sure where the snake portrayal came from but that reading makes sense if there was worship of serpent deities in Ireland before Christianity!
That makes sense! I've seen some people claim the snakes in general are supposed to symbolize pagans. Though there is also a story that claims the leader of the Gaelic people wanted to go to Ireland because he'd heard there weren't any snakes there which is interesting.
Goodness I had no idea that the translation of Crom Cruach’s name was so gruesome! Also I didn’t know that the snake in The Secret of Kells was supposed to be him as well—I like this interpretation. It makes him seem a lot more primal and animalistic, plus it reminds me of the giant serpent found widespread across Indo-European myths.
The Christian authors really wanted to play up the barbarity of the gods of their pagan ancestors I guess!
Still not sure where the snake portrayal came from but that reading makes sense if there was worship of serpent deities in Ireland before Christianity!
I’m guessing they portrayed him as a snake to symbolize St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.
That makes sense! I've seen some people claim the snakes in general are supposed to symbolize pagans. Though there is also a story that claims the leader of the Gaelic people wanted to go to Ireland because he'd heard there weren't any snakes there which is interesting.
Wow- and here I thought Howard had invented Crom out of whole cloth...
Howard’s Irish inspirations run very deep!