The Hazel Tree and the Salmon of Knowledge

[DaRC]

It reminds me of the legend of Tuan, from the Irish book of invasions, but there's another legend where he seeks ancient knowledge which I think is closer - the story of Culwch and Olwen, from the Welsh Mabinoigen.

URL's to add'l info:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/mab16.htm
http://www.ardue.org.uk/library/book5/invasion.html#legcyc

[Huathe]

Darc,

You have given me more to read. Thank You!

[Huathe]

I didn't want to open a new thread for my question(s), so I'll just post it here...

My first question: does anybody have by chance a link or something to the myth about the oldest beings of the world? I read it as a teenager, but can't remember properly (the hero is on a quest and first asks the blackbird of forgotthename, then he is sent to some stag and eagle and another animal I forgot, until he reaches the salmon who is the ultimatively oldest and wisest being on earth).

Next question: do these animals mentioned in the myth live longer than other animals? for example, does a blackbird in average get older than other singing birds (unless the cat gets them )? And especially the salmon: does he get significantly old? or is it all just a metaphor?

Thanks!

Inis,

Pacific Salmon die after spawning so I don't think they really live that long. Atlantic Salmon often live longer because they sometimes live to spawn more than once. Still, I don't think they are a record holder for age for a fish.

[DaRC]

Glad to be of service Hawthorn-Ent

Yes oldest fish is virtually impossible to know but I would imagine something like a Sturgeon or Shark. A google suggests that the oldest known captive fish is a lungfish in Australia at ca 80 years.

[Huathe]

Darc,

You are probably right, or at least close.