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Barinthus
A Cymric Deity: The Wrathful One
This deity is known from a single mention in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini where he is named as the ferryman who takes the wounded Arthue to the Island of Afallach (Avalon). As such, Barinthus is a phychopomp of the 'Charon' type. |
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Cym: ?The Wrathful One
The existence of this deity is specilative as he is only mentioned in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini as the ferryman who takes Myrddin and Taliesin, accompanying the wounded Arthur to the isle of Afallach.
Barinthus is known as The Navigator, as he was an accomplished sailor to whom the waters and the stars of heaven were well known.
The mythological existence of Barinthus is also supported by the Irish Navigation Sancti Brendani (The Brendan Voyages) as St. Brendan was inspired to take his wondrous voyage to the Promised Land of Saints, a Christianized version of the Isle of the Blessed in the West, by St. Barrind (Barinthus), who had just returned from a journey there.
Barrinthus epitomizes the Charonic ferryman of the dead and may be drawn from the mythos of Manawyddan. Though his name may be derived from the Cymric word baran which stands for fury or wrath.
As one who transports the dead (or the spirits of the dead) to the otherworld, Barinthus is a psychopomp of the 'Charon' type (ie the immortal ferryman of the dead).
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