The Cirein-cròin: Celtic Dragon Flap

Dragons were as much a part of the ancient world as the mountains and trees that surrounded the rustic people who embroidered upon their legendary existence. Not merely content to lurk in bodies of water or fly above the firmament, Dragons were credited with sculpting the very earth itself by the passage of their enormous bodies. Celebrated in a myriad of cultures in many different ways, Dragons took on a fantastic array of physical forms. One of the more unusual is that of Cirein-cròin, a shape-shifting Dragon of lore whose legend still lives in Scottish Gaelic tradition.

Large enough to feast on the body of whales, Cirein-cròin was able to disguise his massive body when necessary, and even leave the protection of the ocean to terrorize the Scottish coasts. His desire for meat, both that of man and beast, even became an archaic unit of measure! Ancient Celts would say that a massive quantity was “a Cirein-cròin's fill”.

Our Celtic Dragon features a wealth of design. Hidden in his body are the spirals of Triskelion, numerous knots, and a subtle nod to the late Urnes style of ancient Scandinavian animal artwork. This custom design is exclusively available through Celtic Leatherworks!