SAGA-BOOK - Viking Society Web Publications

Celtic and Germanic Religion rI9
enough, there have been found some statuettes in Gaul
showing a god who bears on his shoulders two birds
looking towards his face; the representations are generally
so clumsy that the species of bird cannot be identified
clearly; it may be a dove, but in some cases also a raven.
Of more importance, however, is the legend about Lug,
in which ravens also playa prominent role. It is told
in a Greek source that two ravens came down from
heaven as Lyons was founded. The Greek writer adds
that in the Celtic language lugos is a name of the raven.
The Celtic word for raven, however, is brennos, and the
modern critic cries out triumphantly that the Greek
author must have been mistaken or badly informed.
And at the same time the truth of this little piece of
mythology is completely rejected. But then, what could
have been the reason for representing the genius of Lyons
on medallions with a raven at his feet? Evidently not
because of the small note by a Greek author, who was
probably never known in the city of Lyons.
Instead of challenging small bits of information, which
at first sight may seem untrustworthy or doubtful, it
seems wiser to consider them with the utmost care and
to piece them together into a coherent image of the deity.
Here we have a case in which the comparison with a
Scandinavian god, about whom we are abundantly
informed, may help us to understand a Celtic one better.
Now, it is of importance that the same may be said
of other deities too. In the Battle of Mag Tured the god
Nuadu loses his hand and is thereby unable to act as
chief of the gods. Afterwards a silver hand was made,
and so skilfully adjusted to his body that he was restored
to his former integrity. A god who loses his hand is
surely not a very common motive. But the same is told
about the Scandinavian Tyr, who lost his hand by putting
it into the mouth of the wolf Fenrir, when he deceitfully
pledged the faith of the gods. A very important myth,
to he sure, showing that even the gods are on some