Also called Nuadu Airgetlám, Nuada of the Silver Hand.
Their story
Nuada was king of the Tuatha Dé Danann when they came to Ireland, and he lost his arm fighting the Fir Bolg champion Sreng at the First Battle of Mag Tuired. Because a blemished man could not be king, he gave up the throne to Bres, whose meanness soon made him hated. Dian Cecht and Credne made Nuada a working hand of silver, and Miach later restored his flesh, so he was made king again. He gave way to Lugh before the Second Battle of Mag Tuired and was killed there by Balor.
Best times to give to them
- Lughnasadh
- Samhain
- before taking on responsibility
What they like being given
- bread and butter
- a pour of whiskey or apple juice
- a candle lit for fair leadership
- a promise kept
How to honour them
- Ask him for the courage to step aside when you cannot lead well, and to return when you can.
- Keep a small blade or letter-opener on your altar as a sign of his unfailing sword.
- Honour him by acting fairly in any role where others depend on you.
How they can help you
- leadership and fair decisions
- recovering from injury or loss
- knowing when to step back
- integrity
Symbols
- the silver hand
- the sword of Nuada
- the crown
He is widely thought to be related to the British god Nodens and the Welsh Nudd, though the exact link is debated.
Sources
- Cath Maige Tuired
- Lebor Gabála Érenn
- MacKillop, Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology
More Celtic gods
- The Dagda The good god, father of all
- Lugh Master of all the arts
- Cernunnos The antlered one of the wild
- Manannán mac Lir Lord of the sea and the Otherworld
- Aengus The young god of love
- Dian Cécht Physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Goibniu Smith of the gods and brewer of the feast
- Credne The bronze-worker of the Tuatha Dé