In Irish mythology, Nuada, also spelled Nuadu or Nuadha in modern times, was known as Airgetlám, which means "silver hand/arm." He was the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He was also called Nechtan and Nuadu Necht, and some believe he was Elcmar, the husband of Boann. He is most famous for the story in which he loses his arm or hand during a battle, causing him to lose his kingship. Later, he regains his arm through magical healing by Dian Cécht. Nuada is believed to have been a god and is connected to the British and Gaulish god Nodens, who is linked to hunting and fishing. His Welsh counterpart is Nudd or Lludd Llaw Eraint.
Etymology
Middle Irish Núada/Núadu means "hero" or "champion," which may be a name created from real events involving a god. The name Nuada might come from a Celtic root noudont- or noudent-. J. R. R. Tolkien believed this root was connected to a Germanic word meaning "to gain or take possession of," which earlier meant "to catch or trap, like a hunter." He linked this idea to Nuada and Lludd's hand, suggesting it reflects the ancient fame of Nodens' magic hand, known as "the Catcher." Julius Pokorny traced the name to a Proto-Indo-European root neu-d-, meaning "to acquire, use, or fish." However, Matasovic noted that forming the name from Proto-Celtic nawito-, meaning "need" or "compel," is very difficult.
Description
Nuada was king of the Tuatha Dé Danann for seven years before they arrived in Ireland. They met with the Fir Bolg, the people already living on the island, and Nuada asked for half the land for the Tuatha Dé. The Fir Bolg's king refused. Both groups prepared for war and allowed each other to inspect their soldiers and weapons to ensure a fair fight. During the first major battle at Mag Tuired, Nuada lost an arm fighting the Fir Bolg champion, Sreng. Nuada's ally, Aengaba of Norway, then fought Sreng and was mortally wounded, while the Dagda protected Nuada. Fifty soldiers carried Nuada from the battlefield. The Tuatha Dé gained the advantage, but Sreng later challenged Nuada to a one-on-one fight. Nuada agreed to the fight only if Sreng tied one arm behind his back. Sreng refused, but by then the battle was already won, and the Fir Bolg were nearly defeated. The Tuatha Dé offered Sreng one quarter of Ireland for his people, and he chose Connacht.
Nuada could not be king anymore because the Tuatha Dé believed their king needed to be perfectly healthy. He was replaced by Bres, a half-Fomorian prince known for his beauty and intelligence. The Fomorians were enemies of the people of Ireland, often compared to mythological groups like the Greek Titans. During Bres's rule, the Fomorians forced the Tuatha Dé to pay heavy taxes, causing dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, Nuada had his lost arm replaced with a silver one by the healer Dian Cecht and the craftsman Creidhne. Later, Dian Cecht's son, Miach, created a new arm made of flesh and blood. After seven years, Bres was removed from kingship, and Nuada was restored. He ruled for twenty more years.
Bres, with help from the Fomorian Balor of the Evil Eye, tried to reclaim the throne through force. War and harsh treatment continued. When the strong and skilled Lugh joined Nuada's court, Nuada recognized Lugh's abilities and stepped aside, allowing Lugh to lead the Tuatha Dé. The second Battle of Mag Tuired followed. Nuada was killed and beheaded by Balor, but Lugh avenged him by killing Balor and led the Tuatha Dé to victory.
Nuada's great sword was one of the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann, brought from one of their four cities. In The Fate of the Children of Tuireann, Nuada is described as having a one-eyed door-keeper, whose eye was replaced by the healers Miach and Oirmiach with the eye of a cat.
Relationships
Nuada may be the same person as Nechtan and Elcmar, who are described as the husbands of Boann. His father is listed in family records as Echtach, the son of Etarlam. In ancient writings, Nuada is said to have two brothers named Dian Cécht and Goibniu. One of Nuada's sons is named Ethadon, and his grandson is named Gaible. Gaible took a bundle of sticks from the daughter of the Dagda, whose name is Ainge. When he threw the sticks to the ground, a beautiful forest grew where they landed. In The Book of Invasions, Nuada is also described as having a son named Caicher and a grandson named Uillend.
Legacy
Characters named Nuada include later High Kings Nuadu Finn Fáil and Nuadu Necht, as well as Nuada, who was the maternal grandfather of Fionn mac Cumhaill. A rival to Conn of the Hundred Battles was Mug Nuadat, meaning "Nuada's Slave." The Delbhna, an early Irish people, had a group called the Delbhna Nuadat who lived in County Roscommon. The modern town of Maynooth in County Kildare is named after Nuada; its Irish name is Maigh Nuad, which means "The plain of Nuada." The Pre-Patrician section of the Annals of Inisfallen includes an incomplete entry about Nuada. In an entry describing the division of Ireland among the sons of Érimón, it states, "Every family […] later found in Ireland is of the race of Nuada because of his support from his family and because of his patience."
Mythological parallels
Nuada's name is similar to Nodens, a British god linked to the sea and healing. Nodens was seen as the same as the Roman god Mars. Nuada is also related to Nudd, a Welsh mythological figure. Another Welsh figure, Lludd Llaw Eraint (Lludd of the Silver Hand), may have originated from Nudd Llaw Eraint through a process where similar-sounding names influenced each other. The Norse god Týr is another deity connected to Mars and is known for losing a hand. Sabazios is an Indo-European god associated with a sacred hand.