Aengus Óg © Jane Brideson 2013
The Blessings of the Returning Sun to you!
AENGUS ÓG
Aengus Óg, 'young Aengus' is the Irish god of love, youth and poetic inspiration.
At the top left can be seen the Milky Way, in which the constellation of Cygnus,
the Swan, is rising. Below is Red Mountain, Co. Meath where the sun rises at
Winter Solstice before entering Newgrange.
To the right is Dún Aonghasa, the prehistoric fort on Inis Mór, Aran Islands.
The twisted gold collar circling the neck of Aengus dates to the early Iron Age and was found at Ardnaglug, Co. Roscommon.
Aengus is associated with the 'new' sun at Winter Solstice and within his body can be seen the sunlight entering the passage at Newgrange.
As the reborn sun his gentle light illuminates the land, shining on the Brú and bringing the promise of spring.
At the bottom is the River Boyne on which swim two swans, Aengus and Caer, the swan-girl he fell in love with after seeing her in a dream.
The twisted gold collar is on display in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
