batch.motif.celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg-l5776-l5886
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg-l5776-l5886
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
passage_locator:
label: 'BOOK FIVE: THE FATE OF THE CHILDREN OF LIR / PART TWO: THE FIANNA. / BOOK
ONE: FINN, SON OF CUMHAL. / CHAPTER I. THE COMING OF FINN; lines 5776-5886'
start: '5776'
end: '5886'
translation: Gods and Fighting Men
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Finn, using the name Deimne, learns poetry from Finegas at the Boinn. Through
a burned thumb placed in his mouth while roasting the salmon of knowledge, he
receives the knowledge foretold for the eater of the salmon. A second episode
gives him wisdom when water from Beag son of Buan's moon well enters his mouth.
Finn then demonstrates poetic learning with a seasonal poem. Still young, he goes
at Samhain to the High King's gathering at Teamhair, identifies himself as Finn
son of Cumhal, pledges service, and is accepted by the king.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Finn leaves Crimall and goes to learn poetry from Finegas at the Boinn, where
poetry is said to be revealed at the brink of water.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Finn does not give his own name to Finegas, but uses the name Deimne.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Finegas has watched for seven years for the salmon of knowledge because of
a prophecy that its eater would gain all knowledge.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Finegas tells Finn to roast the salmon and not eat it; Finn burns his thumb
on the salmon skin and puts the thumb in his mouth.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Finegas recognizes that the prophecy applies to Finn and gives him the whole
salmon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Finn receives knowledge connected with the nuts of nine hazels of wisdom growing
beside a well below the sea.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: 'A second source of wisdom is described: the well of the moon belonging to
Beag son of Buan; drinking from it gives wisdom, and a second drink gives foretelling.'
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The three daughters of Beag guard the well and require red gold in exchange
for a vessel of its water.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: While Finn is hunting near the well, one daughter throws a vessel of water
at him to stop him, and some of the water enters his mouth.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:10
text: After the water enters his mouth, Finn has the knowledge the well's water
can give.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:11
text: Finn learns the three ways of poetry and makes a poem describing May, summer
abundance, birds, animals, waters, woods, and the coming of winter.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:12
text: Finn goes as a young lad at Samhain to the High King's gathering at Teamhair,
where quarrels and grudges are forbidden during the gathering.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: The High King, Goll son of Morna, Caoilte son of Ronan, and Conan son of Morna
are feasting in the great house of the Middle Court when Finn enters unknown to
them.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:14
text: The High King has the horn of meetings put into Finn's hand and asks who he
is.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: Finn identifies himself as Finn son of Cumhal, asks for the king's friendship,
and offers his service.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:16
text: Finn makes an agreement of service and faithfulness to the king, who takes
him by the hand and seats him beside his own son.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Finn / Deimne
description: A young lad, son of Cumhal, who learns poetry, receives wisdom from
the salmon and the moon-well water, makes a poem, and pledges service to the High
King.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Finegas
description: A poet living at the Boinn who has watched for the salmon of knowledge
and teaches Finn poetry.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Beag son of Buan
description: A member of the Tuatha de Danaan to whom the well of the moon belongs.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Three daughters of Beag son of Buan
description: Three women who have charge of the well of the moon and try to keep
Finn from coming to it.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: High King
description: The king at Teamhair who questions Finn, hears his identity, accepts
his service, and seats him beside his son.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Goll son of Morna
description: The current Head of the Fianna, present at the feast in the great house
of the Middle Court.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Caoilte son of Ronan
description: A named man present at the feast in the great house of the Middle Court.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Conan son of Morna
description: A named man described as being of sharp words, present at the feast
in the great house of the Middle Court.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Cumhal
description: Finn's father, described by Finn as formerly head over the Fianna and
king of Ireland.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: recipient of wisdom
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Finn receives knowledge after the salmon incident and after water from the
moon well enters his mouth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: poet-teacher and watcher for prophecy
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Finegas is a poet at the Boinn, teaches poetry, and has watched for the salmon
of knowledge for seven years because of a prophecy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: owner of wisdom well
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The well of the moon is said to belong to Beag son of Buan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: guardians of wisdom water
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The three daughters have charge of the well and resist Finn's approach to
it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: king who accepts service
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The High King questions Finn, accepts his loyalty, takes him by the hand,
and seats him beside his son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: poet-learner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Finn learns the three ways of poetry and composes a poem to show his learning.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: current Head of the Fianna
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Goll son of Morna is described as now Head of the Fianna.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: service-pledger
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Finn offers service and makes an agreement of service and faithfulness to
the king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: former leader and father
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Cumhal is identified as Finn's father and as the man who used to be head
over the Fianna and king of Ireland.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Boinn water-brink
literal_form: River or water-brink at the Boinn where poets believe poetry is revealed.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: salmon of knowledge
literal_form: A salmon foretold to give all knowledge to the one who eats it.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: thumb placed in mouth
literal_form: Finn's burned thumb is put into his mouth after touching the salmon.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: nine hazels of wisdom
literal_form: Nine hazels of wisdom whose nuts are linked to the knowledge Finn
receives.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: well below the sea
literal_form: A well below the sea beside which the nine hazels of wisdom grow.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: well of the moon
literal_form: A well whose water grants wisdom and, after a second drink, foretelling.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:7
label: vessel of well water
literal_form: A vessel of water from the well of the moon thrown at Finn, with some
water entering his mouth.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:8
label: horn of meetings
literal_form: A horn placed in Finn's hand when the High King asks his identity.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: Samhain gathering at Teamhair
literal_form: A seasonal royal assembly at Teamhair with a rule forbidding quarrels
or grudges during the gathering.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Finegas and the salmon of knowledge
summary: Finn, under the name Deimne, studies poetry with Finegas at the Boinn.
While roasting the salmon of knowledge, he accidentally tastes it through his
burned thumb, and Finegas gives him the salmon when he recognizes the prophecy
is meant for Finn.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: The moon well of Beag son of Buan
summary: Finn hunts near the well of the moon, which is guarded by Beag's three
daughters. One daughter throws a vessel of water at him, some enters his mouth,
and he gains the well's knowledge.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Finn's poem of seasonal knowledge
summary: After learning the three ways of poetry, Finn composes a poem describing
signs of May, summer, animals, waters, woods, and winter's return.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Finn at the High King's Samhain gathering
summary: Finn comes unknown to the royal gathering at Teamhair, is questioned with
the horn of meetings in his hand, declares himself son of Cumhal, pledges loyal
service, and is accepted by the king.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: wisdom gained by tasting a special salmon
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- initiation
basis: The salmon of knowledge is prophesied to confer all knowledge, and Finn receives
that knowledge after the thumb-in-mouth incident and Finegas gives him the salmon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the knowledge transfer directly, but the exact mechanics
of eating versus accidental tasting are described through the thumb episode.
- id: motif:2
label: guarded wisdom well whose water confers knowledge and foretelling
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The well of the moon grants wisdom to whoever drinks from it and foretelling
after a second drink; it is guarded by Beag's daughters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: Finn receives the water accidentally rather than through a full formal
drink.
- id: motif:3
label: poetic revelation at water's edge
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The poets believe poetry is revealed on the brink of water, and Finn learns
poetry from Finegas at the Boinn.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states the belief generally but does not narrate a separate
visionary event at the water's edge.
- id: motif:4
label: poetic proof through seasonal nature catalogue
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
- wisdom
basis: Finn demonstrates that he has learned the three ways of poetry by reciting
a poem that moves through May, summer abundance, and winter cold.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the poem as proof of learning; broader ritual or mythic
meaning is not stated.
- id: motif:5
label: young hero enters royal assembly and gains acceptance through lineage and
service
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
- initiation
basis: Finn comes to the High King's gathering, names himself son of Cumhal, offers
service, swears faithfulness, and is seated beside the king's son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The scene supports acceptance and lineage recognition, but no formal kingship
or leadership restoration occurs within this passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 5776-5781
quote_or_summary: Finn says farewell to Crimall, goes to Finegas at the Boinn to
learn poetry, uses the name Deimne, and the passage states poets believed poetry
was revealed at the brink of water.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 5781-5795
quote_or_summary: Finegas has watched seven years for the salmon of knowledge; Finn
roasts it, burns his thumb, puts the thumb in his mouth, is recognized as Finn,
receives the salmon, and gains knowledge linked to the nuts of nine hazels beside
a well below the sea.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 5796-5807
quote_or_summary: The well of the moon belonging to Beag son of Buan grants wisdom
and foretelling; his three daughters guard it, one throws a vessel of water at
Finn, and some water enters his mouth, giving him the well's knowledge.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 5808-5854
quote_or_summary: Finn learns the three ways of poetry and recites a poem describing
May, summer, birds, animals, woods, waters, harvest signs, and the coming of winter
and ice-frost.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 5856-5867
quote_or_summary: As a young lad Finn goes at Samhain to the High King's gathering
at Teamhair, where quarrels are forbidden; the king, Goll, Caoilte, and Conan
are feasting when Finn enters unknown to them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 5868-5886
quote_or_summary: The horn of meetings is put in Finn's hand; he identifies himself
as Finn son of Cumhal, asks for friendship, offers service, swears faithfulness,
and is seated beside the king's son.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/gods-and-fighting-men-gregory.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary allowed.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage provides clear narrative details for wisdom acquisition, poetic
learning, and royal acceptance. Motif labeling is cautious and limited to available
taxonomy refs. No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does
not make explicit cross-textual comparisons.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata; comparison_claims left empty.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-gods-and-fighting-men-gregory-gutenberg__l5776-l5886
passage_sha256=f4d2f5e29446317fc2bfff7c62e814d5b4da0f4cfc8920e31b5f3c85c25c7bd0