Morrigan

Morrigan's main design in Shin Megami Tensei II, later to be used in mainline games

Morrigan ( モーリアン , Mourian ) is a recurring demon in the series.

History

The Morrigan (phantom queen) or Mórrígan (great queen) is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have once been a goddess, though not referred to as such explicitly in text. She is associated with sovereignty, prophecy, war and death on the battlefield. She sometimes appears in the form of a crow, flying above the warriors, and in the Ulster cycle she also takes the form of an eel, a wolf, and a cow. She is generally considered a war deity comparable to Germanic Valkyries, although her role with cattle also suggests a role connected with fertility, wealth, and the land.

In the Ulster Cycle tale of Cu Chulainn, she appears under the guise of a young woman to give Cu Chulainn her love and aid. After being rejected, she reveals herself by transforming into a black bird and promises death for Cu Chulainn's slight against her. The Morrigan is later wounded by Cu Chulainn when she attacks him in different animal forms. She tricks Cu Chulainn into healing her injuries by appearing as an old hag to give him milk from a cow. In one version of Cu Chulainn's death-tale, as the hero rides to meet his enemies, he encounters the Morrígan as a hag washing his bloody armour in a ford, an omen of his death. Later in the story, mortally wounded, Cu chulainn ties himself to a standing stone with his own entrails so he can die upright, and it is only when a crow lands on his shoulder that his enemies believe he is dead.

She is often depicted as a triple goddess, although the membership of the triad varies. The most common variation is Badb Catha, Macha, and Nemhain, but other accounts name Fea, Anann, and others.

Appearances

• Shin Megami Tensei II: Youchou Clan
• Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Wild Bird Race
• Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis: Joma Clan
• Megami Ibunroku Persona: Justice Arcana
• DemiKids: Light Version
• DemiKids: Dark Version
• Devil Children Fire Book
• Devil Children Ice Book

Profile

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE

Morrigan doesn't appear as a common enemy or even as a boss. Instead, she is available only as a summonable demon with a special fusion of Badb Catha and Macha.

Gallery

Morrigan1.PNG

Sprite from Majin Tensei

Sprite from Majin Tensei II

Artwork in DemiKids

Sprite from DemiKids

Sprite from Devil Children^{[citation needed]}

Model in Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE