Motif
body-part trophies as proof of combat
body_part_trophies_as_proof_of_combat
A motif of the Divine Warrior and Sacred Combat family, within the sub-family Arms, Spoils, and Trophies. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
celtic irish
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Heroic Romances of Ireland FROM THE BOOK OF LEINSTER (TWELFTH-CENTURY MS.) / THE SICK-BED OF CUCHULAIN / INTRODUCTION / THE SICK-BED OF CUCHULAIN; lines 2719-2811 confidence: high
At the festival warriors recount combats and valor, carry tongue-tip trophies, sometimes use beast tongues, and place swords on their thighs; swords turn against false declarations, and demon beings are said to scream from weapons.
Warriors carry tongue tips of slain foes in pouches as part of the combat-accounting custom.
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