Anu (Irish goddess)
Irish goddess From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Irish goddess From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anu or Ana (sometimes given as Anann or Anand) is the name of a goddess mentioned briefly in Irish mythology.
The 9th century Sanas Cormaic (Cormac's Glossary) says in its entry for her:
She may be a goddess in her own right,[1] or an alternate name for Danu. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Anand is given as another name for The Morrígan.[2] As her name is often conflated with a number of other goddesses, it is not always clear which figure is being referred to if the name is taken out of context.[1] The name may be derived from the Proto-Celtic theonym *Φanon-.[3][4]
Anu has particular associations with Munster: the pair of breast shaped hills known as the Paps of Anu (Dá Chích Anann or "the breasts of Anu")[5] in County Kerry are said to have been named after her.[2]
While an Irish goddess, in parts of Britain a similar figure is referred to as “Gentle Annie”, in an effort to avoid offence, a tactic which is similar to referring to the fairies as “The Good People”.[6]
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