Spelling aside as it has a few variants. the Irish translation of
this name is “Culann’s Hound”. One of the variant spellings is
Cuchulain and this is the one I shall use as it is the first one I
came across.
Ol’ Cuch is an Irish mythological figure. He was born S=etanta and
had his new name bestowed upon him when he was a child, after he had
killed Culann’s fierce guard-dog in self-defense. >From a nobility
surely ensconced within his soul at birth… Cuch offered to take the
dog’s place until a replacement could be reared. He was often
referred to as the “Hound of Ulster”.
Ol’ Cuch was a fierce warrior and was known for his battle frenzy.
or–in Celtic–riastrad. There is are two interesting story tales
about him. In the first it was predicted that though he had great
powers. he would one day die young. Much like Samson’s hair. ol’ Cuch
had a taboo upon him which protected him. He was banned from eating
dog meat. But there was an even stronger taboo in Ireland which
dictated that he was not allowed to refuse hospitality. So when an
old crone offered him dog meat. he had to eat it. an act which
weakened him for an oncoming battle and he met his death.
In another tale it is told that ol’ Cuch’s power was contained in his
middle finger. Sticking this finger in a baby’s mouth to test the
sharpness of it’s teeth. the baby bit it off depriving out hero of
much of his strength. Again I refer you back to Samson. The
similarities are rather amazing.
Which brings me to the grand segue of the epoch. I shall hearken back
for a quick moment to the 100 Years War between the British and the
French. Long range artillery was invented. Mainly. the longbow. The
pulling back of the string of the bow was done using the index finger
and the ring finger. This was called “plucking” the bow.
The French hated the longbow for its effectiveness. and when
opportunities presented themselves. they would cut off the index
finger and the ring finger of their enemies. Survivors of this
brutality had to learn to use the longbow. now plucking it with their
middle finger. After one battle in which the British were victorious.
they danced and made merry before the fallen army and held up their
middle fingers as a sign of victory and yelled: I still have my
middle fingah. I can still pluck you. The rest is extrapolated
history.
There are many tales of heroism and feats of bravery attributed to
ol’ Cuch. After defeating a woman in battle he leaves her pregnant
returns to storm a fortress. He is successful. he kills 24 men. makes
off with treasure and kills the king. This puts him in the mighty
position of having “right of the first night” over all marriages.
This–of course–reminds me of old England when the peasants had to
request permission of the local regent to have a child–which–when
given. allowed the peasant to place a sign over his door: Fornication
Under Consent of King. Another extrapolation into an area I dare not
venture. Alas. I can not verify the veracity of this tale.
Anyway. there’s more. Much more. But I don’t want to bore you. So I
remind you of ol’ Cuch real name and it’s meaning before you look at
the ring that was inspired by his name. It is silver. It is 7.84mm
wide. And it is a stunner. I enhanced it a bit in order to give it a
bit a pizzazz. Please forgive me my trespasses,
So. you are familiar with the rest. Yes? No? The visit to the image.
also known as the viewing experience. You know where. Home page.
http://www.tyler-adam.com. Scroll down. Left side. Tidbits. Click.
And there for your sensory optic pleasure you will see a ring in
silver inspired by the deeds of one chap named: Cu Chulainn
And there ya have it. That’s it for this week folks. Catch you all
next week.
Benjamin Mark