Balor
Sign in to saveIn Irish mythology, Balor or Balar was a leader of the Fomorians, a group of malevolent supernatural beings, and considered the most formidable. He is often described as a giant with a large eye that wreaks destruction when opened. Balor takes part in the Battle of Mag Tuired, and is primarily known from the tale in which he is killed by his grandson Lugh of the Tuatha Dé Danann, son of Cian. He has been interpreted as a personification of the scorching sun, and has also been likened to figures from other mythologies, such as the Welsh Ysbaddaden and the Greek Cyclops.
~13 min read
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Name
- Mythological Cycle
- Folktale
- Balor's eye
- Severed head and lake origin tales
- Localization of the legend
- Interpretations
- Parallels
- Cultural references
- See also
- Explanatory notes
- References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
In Irish mythology, Balor or Balar was a leader of the Fomorians, a group of malevolent supernatural beings, and considered the most formidable. He is often described as a giant with a large eye that wreaks destruction when opened. Balor takes part in the Battle of Mag Tuired, and is primarily known from the tale in which he is killed by his grandson Lugh of the Tuatha Dé Danann, son of Cian. He has been interpreted as a personification of the scorching sun, and has also been likened to figures from other mythologies, such as the Welsh Ysbaddaden and the Greek Cyclops.
==Name== The name Balor may come from Common Celtic *Boleros, meaning "the flashing one".