Aengus Óg
Celtic Pantheon
The ever-young god of love and poetic inspiration, whose kisses become birds that hover around young lovers' heads, whispering sweet nothings.
Aengus is the son of **the Dagda** and **Boann**, goddess of the River Boyne. Their union was an affair: Boann was married to Elcmar (or Nechtan), so the Dagda sent Elcmar away on a journey and caused nine months to pass as a single day. Thus Aengus was conceived and born before Elcmar returned. Aengus was fostered by **Midir** at Brí Léith, unaware of his parentage. When he came of age, he learned his true heritage and cleverly won the **Brú na Bóinne** (Newgrange) from his father through a word-trick: he asked to stay "a day and a night," but in Irish idiom this means "forever."
Aengus Óg—the "Young Son" or "Youthful Strength"—is the Irish god of love, youth, and poetic inspiration. Forever young and beautiful, he represents the eternal renewal of passion and creativity. His four magical birds, said to be kisses transformed, fly above lovers' heads, inspiring tender words.
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