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I. Aiséiteach (Ascetic). This card is the equivalent of the ace card. In the game of Cúige (Maw/Cuig) the ace of hearts is always the third strongest trump regardless of the trump suite drawn at the beginning of the game and With this in mind I thought it would be interesting to have the Aiséteach represent this cards abilities. As the Christian teachings were highly regarded and these men shunned cardinal enticement believing this brought them closer to God it could be construed that their thoughts may have carried some weight in political circles.

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XI. Flaith (prince) this character would represent the Jack in the traditional deck of cards. This card would be the second strongest in a trump suit. The reason I choose a flaith is because among these individuals candidates an important offices would be selected once they met certain criteria and so could have a serious bearing on your chances of becoming An Táiniste Ríg.

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XII. Banríon (Queen). Cúige is a game using the traditional four suite fifty two card structure. There is always a trump suit, and four cards are always the highest trumps, namely Five and Jack of trumps, Ace of hearts and Ace of trumps (if not hearts). In order to illustrate the social and political division within the ancient Gael culture each card will present a person in that system. The Queen would be an important character with regard to influencing the high king and her position would not be without its own power however she could be one of many wives married to the High King vying for his attention. The Irish had not adopted a monogamous marriage arrangement in medieval Europe.

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Cúige

Based on the 400 year old card game of Maw which is the ancestor of twenty five, spoil five and others. I am attempting to resurrect the card game with a new lick of paint.  The new paint includes bringing a more thematic feel to the game in form of an election of the Táiniste Ríg ( Second to the King ).

The word Cúige can mean provence but comes from the word for five in gaelige (Irish). This is due to ancient Irish writers dividing the island into five parts in the form of a shield with the kingdom of Tara, seat of the Ardrí, in the center.

The suites have been changed to fit the theme and have taken the form of native animals. The red deer stag, the hawk and the lizard (yes Ireland has lizards) will represent three of the four Cúige which are Chonnacht, Laighean,  Mumhan, Uladh, (Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster).

The above is card number thirteen (the big cheese) with the stag symbol noting the suite. I will follow in the coming weeks with more art and details about the game. Until then…

Slán go foill !