Badb

In Celtic * mythology, Badb was the goddess of war. Often appearing in the form of a raven or crow, she would confuse and frighten armies by flying over the battlefield and shrieking loudly. In some stories, she belonged to the Morrigan, a trio of war goddesses that included Nemain and Macha.

Badb was also the goddess of death: her appearance seemed to indicate that someone was about to die. In the role of "the washer at the ford," Badb washed the equipment of warriors who were about to die. Some sources say that Badb was a friend and helper of the Irish folk hero Cuchulain. When Cuchulain was killed, Badb flew over his body in the form of a crow. The fact that Cuchulain did not strike out at her proved that he was dead.

See also CELTIC MYTHOLOGY; CUCHULAIN.

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