Balor

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Known too as Balór na Súile Nimhe
(Eng: Balor of the Evil Eye, JPN: バロールの邪悪な目 Romanji:  *Barōru no* *Jaakuna me*)
He was the Lord of the Formorians (*Fomóire*) Grandfather of Lugh, and the personification of Drought, Blight, and the Scorching Sun. His eye is said to wreak destuction when opened.

## History

### **Early Times**

Balor was a One-eyed Giant, and the King of the Formorians (Fomoraigh).

He was the son of Buarainech, the husband of Cethlenn, and the granson of Neit, the God of War.

He was a tyrant who oppressed Ireland from his fortress on Tory island.

His eyelid became poisonous after he looked into a potion being concocted by his father's druids.

### **The Prophecy**

Later in life, he hears a prophecy that he would be slain at the hand of his grandson. Thus he locked his only duaghter, Ethinu, in a tower on Tory Island.

He stole a magical cow, the Glas Gaibhnenn, from Gobniu. In which Scal Balb went to retrieve it. Though during his raid, he found Ethinu, and laid with her.

Though he was caught, and put to death.

Ethinu became pregenant, and bore a child, a son. And, in fear, he attempted to drown the child at sea. Though he was saved, and raised by Manannan mac Lir. This child grew up to be Lugh.

### **Magh Tuireadh and Death**

He lead the Formorians during the attack on the De Dananns at Magh Tuireadh. When an arrogant man came into their Kingdom, declaring himself to be Lugh.

King Nuada took an intrest, and invited him to come to court to display his skills. In which he is so impressed he declares that Lugh should be King in his place, and that he should lead he warriors to battle against the Formorians.

Upon the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh, he slew Balor with the Invincible Spear, one of the Four Hallows of the Tuatha De Danann. Killing him with a single blow to his baneful eye. Pushing it clear through his skull.

## Abilities

When his eye is opened, all those who look upon it perish, without exception. "It's the Evil Eye of Balor. If you stare into that eye, even God will Die. No theory, no consideration, no exception. " [フォーモリアーーバロールの謀眼だよ。あの瞳に見つめられれば神でも死ぬ。 無論、生とて例外じゃない]

It is the Eye that Brings the End.

As stated in the Cath Maige Tuired, "He had a single eye in his forehead, a venomous fiery eye. There were always seven coverings over this eye. One by one Balar removed the coverings. With the first covering the bracken began to wither, with the second the grass became copper-coloured, with the third the woods and timber began to heat, with the fourth smoke came from the trees, with the fifth everything grew red, with the sixth it sparked. With the seventh they were all set on fire, and the whole countryside was ablaze!"

## Trivia

It is named after Balor from Celtic Myth, a Giant whose eye is fatal to all of which it falls upon.

### **Names**

He has many other names. Some of which include

* **Balor Béimnech**(Balor the Smiter)
* **Balor Balcbéimnech**(Balor the Strong Smiter)
* **Balór na Súile Nimhe**(Balor of the Evil Eye)
* **Balor Birugderc**(Balor the Piercing-Eyed)

### **Etymology**

It is belived to derive from either Baleros (The Deadly One), or from Boleros (The Flashing One), Both making an equal amont of sense, both phonetically and conceptually.

### **Legend**

Balor was a One-eyed Giant, and the King of the Formorians (Fomoraigh). His main appearence, and most known Legend, is in the Cath Maige Tuired, where the Formorians were attacking the De Dananns at Magh Tuireadh.

### **Symbolism**

It is thought that Balor is the harmful effects of the Sun made manifest. For Lugh is the beneficial solar energy, the wellspring of fertility, nourishment, and illumination.

Thus, due to their relationship, and rivalry, along with the description of his eye, catching the World ablaze, led to him being interpreted as the Scorching Gaze that withers crops, dries up lakes and streams, and causes drought and famine.

This is furthered by Lugh's spreading of the knowledge of agriculture, planting and sowing that harness the Sun's energy for human benefit, only after slaying Balor.

### **Culture**

In Old Celtic Culture and Folk Belief, the "Eye of Balor" (MiddleIrish*: '**S'**úlo di Balor* [Translation Unsure]), is used for any curse recieved by a baleful look. Similar to the "Evil Eye" of Italy and Greece.