Tradition / Region: Irish Mythology
Alternate Names: The Great Dun Cow; Y Fuch Frech; Y Fuwch Laethwen Lefrith
Category: Cow
The Myth
In the lands of Ireland and Britain there wandered a great and wondrous animal known as the Dun Cow. She was immense in size and known for her generosity, for she gave milk freely to anyone who asked. Her bounty seemed without end, and people came from far and wide to receive her gift.
In some tellings, she bore two mighty long-horned oxen, who later became famous for their strength and deeds. Yet though the cow gave willingly, not all treated her with respect. In certain stories, greedy people tried to take more than was fair, milking her without care or gratitude. Because of such acts, she was eventually killed, and in some places her enormous bones were said to remain as proof of her size and wonder.
Another tale speaks of a Dun Cow that belonged to a holy man in Ireland. After the cow died, her hide was preserved and turned into vellum. From this hide came the pages of a great book that held many ancient stories of Ireland. In this way, even after death, the cow continued to give, for her body became the keeper of the land’s tales and memories.
Thus the Dun Cow was remembered as a creature of abundance and marvel, whose generosity fed both people and legend, and whose gift endured even after her life had ended.
Gallery
Sources
Monaghan, P. (2004). The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Facts on File, p. 141.
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive