Unicode: ᚅ
Pronunciation: nin [nɪn]
Alternative names: nion
Translation: forked, branch-fork, lofty
Phonetic value: “n” as in nut
Bríatharogaim Kennings
| kenning source | old irish | translation1 |
|---|---|---|
| Bríatharogam Morainn mac Moín | costud síde | “establishing of peace” |
| Bríatharogam Maic ind Óc | bág ban | “boast of women” |
| Bríatharogam Con Culainn | bág maise | “boast of beauty” |
Selected Word Lists
from In Lebor Ogaim (a.k.a. the Ogam Tract)
| aspect | association |
|---|---|
| darthogam (color ogham) | clear (necht) |
| enogram (bird ogham) | snipe (naescu) |
| dandogram (art ogham) | notary work (notaireacht) |
Other Attributed Interpretations
The above various meanings have been suggested by several authors. I have de-emphasized arboreal symbolisms except where supported by scholarship. See discussion after the feda on this page on my reasons for this decision.
last updated: 14 sept 2023
- McManus, Damian Irish letter-names and their kennings, Ériu 39 (1988), pp 127–168. ↩︎
- The forked weaver’s beam made of ash is a sign of peace, for weaving is done in peacetime (McManus); but it is also the counter to peace, due to the same material being used for spear shafts during times of war (Auraicept na n-Éces, McManus). ↩︎
- McManus makes the argument that, because it was traditional to shake an olive branch to request an interruption if battle and this fid’s association with “fork”, “branch” and war, that this fid might be associated with the the olive branch. ↩︎
Comments or suggestions?