Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

taboo against touching the ground during return

taboo_against_touching_the_ground_during_return

A motif of the Curse, Blessing, and Performative Sacred Speech family, within the sub-family Taboos, Geasa, and Curse-Bound Boundaries. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

1 occurrences

1 traditions


celtic irish

  • Gods and Fighting Men CHAPTER II. THE CALL OF OISIN / CHAPTER III. THE LAST OF THE GREAT MEN / BOOK ELEVEN: OISIN AND PATRICK. / CHAPTER I. OISIN'S STORY; lines 14454-14544 confidence: high

    Oisin asks leave of the king and Niamh to return to Ireland; Niamh fears he will not return, warns him not to get off the white horse or touch the ground, says he would become old and blind, and gives him a farewell kiss.

    Niamh warns Oisin not to dismount or put his foot to the ground; when he does, he becomes aged and unable to return.

    read in the book