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:''"Gaesa" redirects here. For the heavy metal band, see Geasa (band)''
A '''geas''' (pronounced //, plural ''geasan'') has two interpretations in Gaelic mythology and folklore.
First, it is a vow or obligation placed upon a person (usually a hero, such as Cuchulainn in Irish mythology). Traditionally, the doom of the hero comes about due to their violation of such ''geasan'', either by accident, or by having multiple ''geasan'' and then being placed in a position where they have no option but to violate one ''geas'' in order to maintain another.
Later, a ''geas'' took the aspect of a taboo or prohibition. A ''geas'' can also be compared with a curse or, paradoxically, a gift. If someone under a ''geas'' violates the associated taboo, the infractor will suffer dishonour or even death.
There is a considerable similarity between ''geasan'' (which are a phenomenon of Gaelic mythology) and the foretold deaths of heroes in Welsh mythology. This is not surprising given the close origins of many of the variants of Celtic mythology.
''Geas'' (plural ''geasan'') is the Scottish Gaelic spelling. In both Early and Modern Irish it is spelled ''geis''; the Old Irish plural is ''gessi'', the Modern Irish plural ''geasa''.
★ The idea and term have proved popular in fantasy fiction and in role-playing games, often featuring as "spells". ''Dungeons and Dragons'' features two such spells: "Lesser Geas", which forces the victim to obey a command issued by the caster, and "Geas", which is much the same but with more severe penalties.
★ Clark Ashton Smith featured them prominently in his Cthulhu mythos short story, ''The Seven Geases''.
★ Piers Anthony released a novel in the Xanth line entitled ''Geis of the Gargoyle''.
★ The RPG computer game City of Heroes has a badge called "Geas of the Kind Ones".
★ The character of Nijel in Terry Pratchett's novel Sourcery (Discworld series) frequently mentions his own geas.
★ The anime Code Geass, several characters obtain special abilities called Geass(sic) which is activated by forming a contract with a supernatural being.
A '''geas''' (pronounced //, plural ''geasan'') has two interpretations in Gaelic mythology and folklore.
First, it is a vow or obligation placed upon a person (usually a hero, such as Cuchulainn in Irish mythology). Traditionally, the doom of the hero comes about due to their violation of such ''geasan'', either by accident, or by having multiple ''geasan'' and then being placed in a position where they have no option but to violate one ''geas'' in order to maintain another.
Later, a ''geas'' took the aspect of a taboo or prohibition. A ''geas'' can also be compared with a curse or, paradoxically, a gift. If someone under a ''geas'' violates the associated taboo, the infractor will suffer dishonour or even death.
There is a considerable similarity between ''geasan'' (which are a phenomenon of Gaelic mythology) and the foretold deaths of heroes in Welsh mythology. This is not surprising given the close origins of many of the variants of Celtic mythology.
| Contents |
| Etymology |
| ''Geasan'' in popular culture |
Etymology
''Geas'' (plural ''geasan'') is the Scottish Gaelic spelling. In both Early and Modern Irish it is spelled ''geis''; the Old Irish plural is ''gessi'', the Modern Irish plural ''geasa''.
''Geasan'' in popular culture
★ The idea and term have proved popular in fantasy fiction and in role-playing games, often featuring as "spells". ''Dungeons and Dragons'' features two such spells: "Lesser Geas", which forces the victim to obey a command issued by the caster, and "Geas", which is much the same but with more severe penalties.
★ Clark Ashton Smith featured them prominently in his Cthulhu mythos short story, ''The Seven Geases''.
★ Piers Anthony released a novel in the Xanth line entitled ''Geis of the Gargoyle''.
★ The RPG computer game City of Heroes has a badge called "Geas of the Kind Ones".
★ The character of Nijel in Terry Pratchett's novel Sourcery (Discworld series) frequently mentions his own geas.
★ The anime Code Geass, several characters obtain special abilities called Geass(sic) which is activated by forming a contract with a supernatural being.
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