FFC
Presenter(s): Jacqueline Garcia
Advisor(s): Dr. Eileen Jankowski
High above the glorious battle, a treachery of ravens await. As silent as the depth of night, they circle the battlefield, anticipating the moment to swoop down and carry away the dead. This was the Morrígan. Commonly known as the "Phantom Queen", the Morrígan was a feared Celtic deity and the goddess of both death and war. As one of Ireland's most powerful goddesses, she appears as both a single being and a triple goddess, forming a trio of sisters who protect both destiny and prophecy. Legend states that she was named as the sisters Badb, Macha, and Neiman, but is also associated with the land goddesses, Ériu, Banba, and Fódla. As the goddess of fate, the Morrígan is also one of the most mysterious figures of Celtic mythology and a formidable shapeshifter. She took many forms and would often appear in different forms in one story. Her most common included a warrior queen and a raven, the latter associated with her due to the bird's constant presence on a battlefield. In the popular mythology of the Greeks, both Thanatos and Athena share attributes with the Morrígan, yet are different all the same. As the Greek and Roman god of death, Thanatos appeared to humans, along with his twin brother Hypnos, to carry them off to the underworld when their time on earth had ended. And as the goddess of war and wisdom, Athena was a respected deity who turned violent when necessary but remained gracious and kind unlike the savage Ares. In comparison to these figures, the Morrígan is not only the embodiment of what both of these deities represent, but also encompasses the ideas of fate and prophecy among the concepts of war and death.
Star Wars: Mythology Squared
Presenter(s): Erick Garcia
Advisor(s): Dr. Eileen Jankowski
Today mythology has the connotation of what ancient civilizations utilized to explain how the world came to be. Often brought up in academia, most do not pause to see if mythology plays a significant role in our life. A remarkable amount of our present pop culture has mythological roots overlooked through the naked eye. I am exploring how Star Wars contains many similarities from multiple mythologies and religions. After reviewing various articles and journals, Star Wars has become one of the leading mediums of storytelling incorporating past mythological tales, spirituality, and philosophies. The characters and the journeys they must partake in are parallels of mythologies that have been retold for eons. The franchise imports influence from a variety of cultures; it captures a range of Ancient Greek mythology to the Arthurian legends. It also incorporates an infusion of eastern philosophies, tarot card meanings, and invocations of the Western genre. The franchise has done more than contribute to the science fiction film genre; it has encapsulated and enhanced the everlasting legacy of mythology. Star Wars has been able to bring together different perspectives of storytelling into a melting pot, with the final product becoming today’s modern mythology.
Leprechauns: Evolution and Cultural Importance
Presenter(s): Jack Kellems
Advisor(s): Dr. Eileen Jankowski
Although leprechauns serve as the instantly recognizable mascot for Ireland, they also played a significant role in the assimilation of Irish immigrants into the United States. The leprechaun became relevant through Irish folklore, and their stories were brought to the U.S. with Irish immigrants. The creatures are known for being shoemakers who carry pots of gold with them. They’re also known for being exceptionally tricky and can be malicious if one doesn’t keep their eyes on them. It is lesser known that there are multiple kinds of leprechauns that differ slightly based on where in Ireland they are found. Immigrants have historically faced hardships when assimilating in the U.S., but the imagery surrounding the leprechaun helped nineteenth century society accept the Irish. While the trickster versions do not appear in ancient Irish mythology, the inspiration for their characteristics are a culmination of multiple Irish mythological creatures. Today leprechauns are most evident as a symbol for St. Patrick’s Day and have been depicted in many movies and commercials. Modern society has changed some of the features originally associated with the leprechaun some of which align with Irish assimilation, such as changing their outfits from red to green. My research hopes to explore the cultural significance of the leprechaun to Irish society previously and today, as well as the ancient origins of these mythological creature.
Lugh and Apollo: Twins of the Sun
Presenter(s): Neal Gillespie
Advisor(s): Dr. Eileen Jankowski
The god Lugh is perhaps the most prominent deity in the Celtic Pantheon. Lugh is a solar god who is known for his mastery of many skills ranging from warfare to poetry. As a sun god, Lugh bears a strong resemblance to the Greco-Roman god, Apollo. Apollo is also a solar deity who possesses a diverse range of skills. The arrival of the Romans in the British Isles during the first century brought about cultural mixing; the Romans often attempted to conflate Celtic gods with their own deities. The resemblances between Apollo and Lugh made for a natural conflation. Both of these figures are young and radiant and are associated with the arts. Lugh was known for his mastery of the harp and poetry. Apollo is often credited with the creation of the arts and the lyre has been used to symbolize his musical pursuits. Both Lugh and Apollo are gods of distance. Militarily, for example, both use ranged weapons. Lugh uses a magical spear which earned him the name “Lugh of the long arm.” Similarly, Apollo uses a golden bow. Lugh and Apollo have traditionally been outsiders when compared to their peers and this accentuates their distanced position. Another commonality is their association with ravens. Lugh used ravens to heal his son Cú Chulainn and Apollo used a raven to expose the infidelity of Coronis, the mother of his son, Asclepius, symbolizing his intensity and anger. Finally, both Cú Chulainn and Asclepius act as doubles of their fathers, possessing skills in healing and war but in a much stronger capacity. Despite being vastly different, it is clear that both civilizations felt the need for a young and powerful artistic god who possessed skills in many different sectors.