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Galician mythology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Galician mythology, rooted in the ancient culture of Galicia, is a blend of Celtic, Roman, and Iberian influences enriched by centuries of oral tradition. Galicia's myhts and legends reflect a mystical view of the world, closely tied to its rugged landscapes, mist-covered mountains, dense forests, and the Atlantic coastline, which together create an atmosphere of enchantment and mystery. Some of its defining elements are the mouros and meigas, who are seen as both protectors and mischief-makers. The mouros are associated with Galicia's many ancient megalithic structures, such as dolmens and hillforts, and are often depicted as guarding hidden treasures or wielding magical powers.

Galician mythology remains influential in contemporary Galician culture. Folklore about supernatural beings, nature spirits, and the Santa Compaña continues to be passed down through stories, and modern Galician literature and music often draw on these themes. The mythology also attracts academic interest, with scholars exploring its roots and similarities to other Celtic and Iberian traditions.

Background

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Galician mythology has strong ties to Celtic culture, which spread across the Atlantic regions of Europe, including parts of northern Spain. The ancient Celtic Gallaeci tribe inhabited Galicia as early as the 1st millennium BCE, establishing cultural practices that resonate with other Celtic societies in Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany. Central to these Celtic influences was the veneration of nature and a belief in spirits that inhabit the natural world, especially rivers, mountains, and forests. The Celts in Galicia are thought to have worshiped deities associated with these natural elements, practiced rituals tied to the agricultural cycle, and held a profound respect for animal symbolism, all of which are key themes in Galician mythology.[1]

With the Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE, many of Galicia’s original religious practices began to merge with Roman beliefs. The Romans introduced their pantheon, adapting Galician deities into Roman counterparts and building temples and altars dedicated to both Roman and local gods. However, the Galicians maintained many of their indigenous traditions and stories, leading to a unique fusion of Roman and Celtic elements. The persistence of animistic beliefs—spirits connected to the natural world, stones, rivers, and ancient structures—is a legacy of this blend.

As Christianity spread throughout Galicia in the early Middle Ages, many of the region’s pre-Christian beliefs were incorporated into Christian practices. Pagan deities and spirits were reinterpreted as saints or demonic figures, and traditional festivals were adapted to align with the Christian calendar. For example, festivals such as Samaín, the Celtic harvest festival, transformed into All Saints’ Day but retained its connections to the spirit world and the remembrance of ancestors. Witches, or meigas, also evolved during this period, often blending roles as both village healers and suspected agents of evil in Christian eyes. This syncretism between pagan beliefs and Christianity contributed to the survival of many Galician myths.

Mythical beings

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The most famous creatures in Galician mythology

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Mouros and Mouras

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Mouro, imagined by AI.

Mouros and Mouras are enigmatic spirits tied to the earth, believed to guard treasures whithin ancient stone structures. They are often depicted as magical or supernatural beings associated with dolmens, forts and other megalithic sites across Galicia. Mouras are sometimes portrayed as beautiful women, enticing and mysterious.

Santa Compaña

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The Santa Compaña is one of the most famous and feared elements in Galician mythology. It is described as a ghostly procession of souls wandering the countryside at night, led by a living person who is cursed to carry a cross or candle. The sighting of the Santa Compaña is considered a bad omen, often associated with illness or death. To avoid being chosen as the procession's leader or to protect oneself from its effects, Galicians have traditionally used protective charms or prayers.

Meigas

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Meiga, imagined by AI.

Galician mythology includes beliefs in witches, known as meigas, who are thought to possess magical powers. In Galician culture, the meigas can either be malevolent or benevolent, serving as both healers and sorceresses. The tradition of the meigas is deeply rooted in rural life, where they were often called upon for folk remedies, blessings, or curses. The phrase “Habelas hainas,” meaning “They exist, they do,” reflects the belief in the presence of witches despite skepticism from some.

Animais de Poder

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Animals seen as spiritual or symbolic, such as wolves, crows, owls, and stag beetles, which are believed to act as guides or omens. They are often connected to both life and death, conveying wisdom or warnings to those who encounter them.

Breogán with the Tower of Hercules

List of other mythical beings

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Individuals belonging to "mythical races"[2]
Entities that personify some quality or human condition[2]
Remains of the mythical Castle of Saint George, on Mount Pindo, the "Celtic Mount Olympus"
Mythological people[2]
Humans with supernatural powers[2]
Demons, angels, and saints[2]
Magical plants and creatures[2]
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See also

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Bibliography

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  • Cuba, Xoán Ramiro [in Galician]; Reigosa, Antonio [in Galician]; Miranda, Xosé [in Galician] (1999). Pequena mitoloxía de Galicia. Illustrated by Lázaro Enríquez. Edicións Xerais de Galicia. ISBN 84-8302-363-6.
  • Cuba, Xoán Ramiro [in Galician]; Reigosa, Antonio [in Galician]; Miranda, Xosé [in Galician] (2001). Dicionario dos seres míticos galegos. Edicións Xerais de Galici. ISBN 978-84-8302-705-9.
  • Reigosa, Antonio [in Galician] (2000). Guía de campo da Galicia Encantada. Dos seres míticos e dos lugares que habitan. Illustrated by Noemí López. Xerais. ISBN 978-84-9121-646-9.
  • Reigosa, Antonio [in Galician]; Brochs, Neira (2020). Cen historias máxicas pola Mariña encantada. Viveiro: Libros LAR. ISBN 978-84-9493-086-7.
  • Reigosa, Antonio [in Galician] (2020). Contrahistorias de Galicia. Edicións Embora. ISBN 978-84-1782-427-3.

References

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  1. ^ Cuba, Reigosa & Miranda 1999, p. 13.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cuba, Reigosa & Miranda 2001.
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