Medb, sometimes known as Queen Medb, is a prominent figure in Irish mythology and generally appears as a feminine warrior. This powerful female king is the wife of two kings and she shares that power with no one. She is both regal and beautiful, but she is often ruthless in her pursuit of power and revenge – she will fight to take what she wants.

The legendary Irish queen, Medb, is known as a powerful goddess of war and sovereignty from the Irish Mythological Cycle. She is always portrayed as a strong warrior. Unlike other warrior women from history who led their men into battle as equals, Medb goes into war as the leader often for her own gain. In early Irish literature her name was spelled Mebd or Meadb. She was born to a Leinster king named Eochaid Feidlech and his wife Fedelm Noíchrothach.

1. Introduction to Medb

2. Emergence of Celtic Mythology

3. Medb’s Legacy

4. Medb As Warrior Goddess

5. How Does She Manifest Her Power?

Introduction to Medb

Medb is one of the most prominent figures in Irish mythology and generally appears as a feminine warrior. Her name means “red” in Irish and she is shown as having red hair and red eyes. The goddess is often portrayed as a beautiful woman but her enemies are often depicted as hideous animals to suggest her ruthlessness.

Some of the earliest references to Medb are from the Mythological Cycle. She is the wife of two kings in this cycle. The first king was Conchobar mac Nessa, known as “the Victorious”. The second king was Eochu Feidlech. There are other famous figures from the Mythological Cycle such as Cuchulainn and Cú Chulainn.

Medb is often portrayed as a violent and ruthless person in Irish literature. She is never portrayed as a kind or peaceful figure and she will fight to take what she wants.

Emergence of Celtic Mythology

The emergence of Celtic mythology is believed to have occurred around the 3rd and 2nd century BC in Ireland, Great Britain and Brittany. The Celts were a people belonging to a group of Indo-European tribes which migrated from Central Europe and settled in the Iron Age in the region of present-day western Europe.

Medb was considered to be the last of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the old Celtic gods. She helped another important figure in Irish mythology, Cú Chulainn, defeat her husband’s enemies in the cycle of Irish legend known as the Táin Bó Cúailnge.

Medb is most often credited with introducing iron to Ireland. The goddess didn’t simply steal it from other peoples but instead she fought battles against them so she could claim their iron.

Medb’s Legacy

Medb became the most powerful female ruler in Ireland. Her legacy is often told through the Mythological Cycle and stories of her are greatly influenced by literary Christian mythology. According to Irish mythology she was one of the first people to introduce laws, rent, trade and urban centers.

Medb is remembered as a powerful queen in Irish culture but she is also known as a warrior goddess who fought with men on battlefields for her own gain.

Medb As Warrior Goddess

Medb is often portrayed as a violent and ruthless person in Irish literature. She is never portrayed as a kind or peaceful figure. She will fight to take what she wants and she will destroy her enemies as she does this. Some scholars believe the goddess was developed as a counterpart to the male warrior Cú Chulainn, who also fights to take what he wants.

Medb’s nasty reputation has been molded by the Christian culture which has influenced many Irish writers and storytellers for centuries.

How Does She Manifest Her Power?

Due to her appearance in Irish literature with the Irish goddess of war, Medb is also known by this title. She is usually portrayed as a beautiful woman with red hair and red eyes. Medb is also known as the Red Fury and she is nearly always connected to the color red.

Medb’s weapons include a sword, spear and shield which she carries during battle.