The Morrigan in Celtic Mythology: Her Myths, Symbols + Meanings

The Morrigan was a powerful Celtic goddess that represented war, fate, sovereignty and fertility. Part of the Ulster Cycle in Irish mythology, the Morrigan was a shapeshifter and a prophetic figure, foretelling doom and guiding the destiny of warriors and kingdoms.

Her influence stretched far beyond the battlefield, intertwining with themes of life, death, and the land itself.

In this article, I’ll:

• Explore the Morrigan’s many roles in Irish mythology
• Outline the symbolic significance of her animal forms
• Discuss the key myths where she plays a pivotal role

Who is the Morrigan Goddess?

The Goddess Morrigan looms large in the tales of Irish mythology, a figure both revered and feared.

Her influence weaves through two of the most significant collections of Irish mythology: the Ulster Cycle and the Mythological Cycle.

A member of the Tuatha Dé Danann (a supernatural race), she is one of the most powerful Celtic Goddesses, embodying the fierce spirit of a land shaped by conflict and resilience.

The Morrigan doesn’t simply exist within these stories—she dominates them, a force of nature whose every action shapes the course of warriors, kings, and battles.

A Triple Goddess

The Morrigan is considered a “Triple Goddess,” a modern Neopagan archetype—a symbolic figure used to embody spiritual beliefs.

The Triple Goddess represents the Maiden, Mother, and Crone, symbolising the life cycle, the phases of the moon, and the realms of existence.

She is not singular but a trinity—Badb, Macha, and sometimes Nemain or Anand, depending on the tale.

In this form, she embodies the mystical power of the number three, a motif deeply revered in Celtic tradition.

You’ll find that many Celtic symbols have the number three incorporated into them, like the Trinity Knot.

The Phantom Queen

Her very name breathes unease: Goddess Morrigan, the “Phantom Queen.”

She is a shadow that lingers on the battlefield, a harbinger of doom who foretells death and despair.

Often, she is seen perched as a crow or raven, watching from above as battle rages on below.

She is the ultimate witness to life’s fragility, a reminder that no warrior, no matter how mighty, can escape the fate she foretells.

Goddess of War and Fate

The Morrigan Goddess commands both dread and awe, driving fear into her enemies while igniting extraordinary courage in the hearts of warriors.

She is the harbinger of destiny, seen washing the armour of those doomed to perish—a chilling act that seals their fate.

Yet, she is more than an agent of destruction. As a fierce guardian of her people, she shields and guides them, balancing chaos with protection.

With war and destiny under her dominion, she shapes the threads of life and death, deciding who will fall, who will triumph, and who will endure.

Shapeshifter and Symbol of Transformation

The Goddess Morrigan defies any fixed form. One moment, she is a beautiful woman offering aid; the next, she is a hag (not to be confused with the Banshee) washing garments in a river, foretelling death.

But it is as a crow or raven that she is most often seen, flying above the chaos, her sharp cries an omen of coming strife.

Her shapeshifting is more than a magical trick; it symbolises the ever-changing nature of life, the inevitability of transformation, and the power to adapt and survive.

While there are many Celtic creatures, none compare to the might of the Morrigan.

The Morrigan and Cú Chulainn

One of the stories I recall from childhood is about the Morrigan’s encounter with the mighty warrior Cu Chulainn.

The Morrigan first met Cu Chulainn while he defended Ulster from Queen Maeve’s army. She fell in love with him and tried to seduce him before battle, but he refused.

Enraged, she shapeshifted into an eel, tripping him in a fjord. Cu Chulainn struck her but only wounded her briefly.

She then transformed into a wolf, driving cattle towards him, but he used his slingshot to blind her.

Lastly, as a cow, she led a stampede, but Cu Chulainn hit her with a stone, breaking her leg and forcing her to retreat.

After the battle, he met an old woman milking a cow. Weary, he failed to notice she was blind in one eye and had an injured leg.

She offered him milk, and he blessed her, unknowingly healing her injuries and restoring her strength. Having tricked him, the Morrigan let him go.

Later, before his final battle, Cu Chulainn encountered a woman scrubbing bloodied armour—an ominous sign.

Mortally wounded in the fight, he tied himself upright to a boulder to intimidate his enemies. When a crow landed on his shoulder, he passed away. Was it the Morrigan, taking her final revenge? Perhaps.

Explore Celtic mythology beyond the Morrigan Goddesses

The Morrigan Goddesses is just one of many interesting characters from Celtic Mythology.

Here are some resources to help you discover more:

• Celtic Mythological Creatures
• Celtic Gods and Goddesses 
• Celtic Knots and the story of the Celts