Ardithir immurgu...

Ardithir immurgu, remithir, tailcithir, tresithir, sithidir seólcrann prímluingi móri!

(as tall * indeed * as thick * as firm * as strong * as long * (as) a mast * of a main-ship * great)

Indeed as tall, thick, firm, strong, and long as the mast of a great sailing ship!

This description of one of Cú Chulainn’s attributes comes the LU version of “Táin Bó Cúailgne”. The attribute in question is the gush of blood that spouts from the top of his head during his “ríastrad” or “contortion”, when his whole body is distorted by battle fury.

Topics: Similes, Metaphors & Kennings