In Irish mythology, Nemain (Modern Irish: Neamhan, Neamhain) is a spirit being or goddess who represents the chaos and confusion of war. In ancient texts, The Morrígan appears as a group of three goddesses known as the Morrígna. These three sisters include Macha and Badb. Nemain is closely linked to Badb, and they share a husband named Neit. Nemain may be a part of Badb.

Representation in literature

In the ancient Irish tale called Tain Bo Cuailnge, Nemain causes confusion among armies, leading to friendly groups fighting each other. When Queen Medb’s forces reach Magh-Tregham, now in the county of Longford, on their way to Cuailnge, Nemain appears among them.

“The Neman attacked them, and that was not a peaceful night for them, because of the loud noise made by the giant Dubtach during his sleep. The groups were suddenly startled, and the army became confused until Medb went to calm the situation.” Lebor na hUidhre, folio 46, b1.

In another part of the story, called Breslech Maighe Muirthemhne, there is a detailed description of Cuchullain’s anger when he sees enemy armies from the south and west camped near Ulaid’s borders. It is written in The Book of Leinster, folio 54, a2 and b1: Nemain is an Irish goddess with great power. She can kill 100 men with a single battle cry.

“He saw the bright golden weapons shining over the heads of the four great provinces of Eriu before the evening clouds arrived. He felt great anger and shame upon seeing the large number of his enemies. He grabbed his two spears, shield, and sword, and let out a warrior’s cry. Sprites, satyrs, valley madmen, and air demons responded in fear to the shout. The Neman caused chaos in the army, and the four provinces of Eriu fought among themselves, causing many to die from fear in the middle of the camp that night.”

Kinship

In Cormac's glossary, Nemain is described as the wife of Neit, "the god of battle among the pagan Gaeidhel people." A poem in the Book of Leinster (page 6, a2) mentions Badb and Nemain as the wives of Neid or Neit:

“Neit, son of Indu, and his two wives, Badb and Neamin, truly,
Were slain in Ailech, without blemish,
By Neptur of the Fomorians.”

On page 5, a2 of the same manuscript, Fea and Nemain are listed as Neit’s two wives. However, in a poem about Ailech from the Dinnsenchus, found in the "Ordinance Memoir of Templemore" (page 226), Nemain is mentioned alone as the wife of Neit. Additionally, in Irish genealogy books, both Fea and Nemain are described as the two daughters of Elcmar of the Brugh (Newgrange, near the Boyne), who was the son of Delbaeth, the son of Ogma, the son of Elatan, and the wives of Neid, son of Indae. The same family background for Fea and Nemain suggests they may be the same person.

In the Dindsenchas, Nemain, known as "of the wounds of war," is described as the "law-giver wife" of Neit.

Etymology

The different ways her name appears in Irish texts include Nemon, Nemain, and Neman. These changes suggest that the original form of this name in Proto-Celtic, if it existed, might have been Nemānjā, Nemani-s, or *Nemoni-s.

The meaning of the name has been explained in several ways. One scholar, Squire (2000:45), suggested the name might mean "venomous," linking it to the Proto-Celtic nemi-, which means "a dose of poison" or "something given out." This comes from the Proto-Indo-European root nem-, meaning "to give out" (as seen in Old Irish words like nem and neimi, meaning "poison"). However, nemi- is an i-stem noun, while the reconstructed forms Nemānjā, Nemani-s, and Nemoni-s are a-stem and o-stem nouns, which are different in structure.

Another Proto-Celtic word, nāmant- (meaning "enemy" in Irish, as in námhaid and namhad), is too different in form from Nemānjā, Nemani-s, or Nemoni-s to be the same.

The name might be connected to the Proto-Indo-European root nem-, meaning "to seize, take, or give out." This root is also found in the Greek word Némesis, meaning "wrath" or "nemesis," and in the name Nemesis, which represents retributive justice in Greek mythology. It is also related to the Greek word Nomos, meaning "law" or "to divide." This root appears in other languages, such as Old High German nâma ("rapine"), German nehmen ("take"), English nimble, Zend nemanh ("crime"), Albanian name ("a curse"), and Welsh, Cornish, and Breton nam* ("blame"). Based on this, the name might mean something like "the Great Taker" or "the Great Allotter."