The Celtic God Lugh was considered a sun god. Handsome, perpetually youthful, and full of the energy and vitality of life. The Shining One is said to have mastered every skill and craft known. Some believe his animal attributes are the raven and the lynx. He has many titles (Lugh of the Long Arm, Warrior God of Justice, Travelers and Crafters, the Many-Gifted One, Sun Lord, Master of all the Arts, God of Light, Lord of All Four Corners) and is seen by some as a triple god, embodying the passionate Youth, the wise King and the sage Elder. He is the embodiment of fire and air and is seen as a protector and defender. Lugh is similar in attributes to the Hindu god Karttikeya and the Roman god Mercury. Some also say his mythos was passed partially into that of Lancelot's.

Lugh is widely considered to have been the grandson of Balor, God of the Underworld, whom he killed as prophesied despite Balor’s attempts to thwart fate. In time, Lugh became the leader of the Tuatha De Danaan, the children of the goddess Danu. He is believed to be the father of the legendary Cuchulainn of Irish mythology.

As told in the Battle of Magh Tuiredh, the god Lugh traveled to Tara and arrived during a tremendous feast for the royal court. He was greeted at the door by the keeper of the gate and asked what talent he had for it was tradition that only those who had unique ability could enter.

The god offered this reply: "I am a wright".

In response, the gate keeper said: "We already have a wright. Your services are not needed here".

Lugh, not to be so easily dismissed, continued: "I am a smith".

The guard retorted that the court had a smith that was quite adequate. But the god was not to be dissuaded. In short order, he noted that he was also a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, an historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman. The gate keeper merely nodded his head and stated that all of these various trades were represented in the court by other members of the Tuatha de Danaan.

"Ah, but do you have an individual who possesses all of these skills simultaneously?” came Lugh’s clever reply.

The guard admitted defeat and Lugh was allowed to enter and join the festivities.

Another excellent Lugh myth told at Echoed Vocies by Todd K. Herriott explains why we celebrate Lugh during the month of August at Lughnasadh. This myth points out why we honor and celebrate not only Lugh but Lugh’s mother. It is through them that with each harvest, we are comforted and our fears allayed, knowing that we will be sustained through the dark of the year.

Lugh, as the Sun King, gives us our seasonal cycle beginning with his birth at the Winter Solstice. Through the spring, he warms the earth, nurtures all living things, and spreads his light and warmth through us all. He reaches his peak at the Summer Solstice and begins to become weaker. As he moves through Autumn his spirit and energy return to the earth to rest until his rebirth at Winter Solstice. He leaves us with the hope of life and renewal held in every seed saved from the harvest and sustains us throughout the time of darkness. (Note the similarities between Lugh and Cernunnos in how they are both responsible for the seasonal cycles of the year.)