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EntityQ1498866· pop 14· linked from 89 articles

Also known as geas

A ''''' or '' (pl. ') is an idiosyncratic taboo, whether of obligation or prohibition, similar to being under a vow or curse, yet the observance of which can also bring power and blessings. The word "geas" is also used to mean specifically a spell prohibiting some action. '''' occur commonly in Irish and Scottish folklore and mythology, as well as in modern English-language fantasy-fiction.

~7 min read

Encyclopedic overview

6 sections
Contents
  • In Irish mythology
  • Welsh mythology
  • In popular culture
  • Parallels in English literature
  • References
  • Further reading

A ''''' or '' (pl. ') is an idiosyncratic taboo, whether of obligation or prohibition, similar to being under a vow or curse, yet the observance of which can also bring power and blessings. The word "geas" is also used to mean specifically a spell prohibiting some action. ' occur commonly in Irish and Scottish folklore and mythology, as well as in modern English-language fantasy-fiction.

The word originates in Old Irish, also known as Old Gaelic, and retains the same form in Modern Irish (nominative singular ' , nominative plural ; genitive sg. ' , genitive plural ' ). In modern Scottish Gaelic, the spelling has evolved in a slightly different direction (nominative singular ' , nominative plural ', genitive singular ' or '). It has also been borrowed into English in both forms (singular geas or geis or , plural geasa)).

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Geis” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.