Sail (letter)


Sail or Saille is the Irish name of the fourth letter of the Ogham alphabet, meaning "willow". The name is related to Welsh helyg and Latin salix. Its Proto-Indo-European root was *sal- meaning "dirty,grey". Its phonetic value is .

Interpretation

The etymology and kennings unambiguously confirm the meaning "willow" for this letter name. The Morann mic Moín kenning is a reference to the sallow grey appearance of the bark of this tree, while the kennings referencing bees and honey are due to its being commonly pollinated by bees.

Bríatharogaim

In the medieval kennings, called Bríatharogaim or Word Oghams the verses associated with sail are:
lí ambi: "pallor of a lifeless one" in the Bríatharogam Morann mic Moín
lúth bech: "sustenance of bees" in the Bríatharogam Mac ind Óc
tosach mela: "beginning of honey" in the Bríatharogam Con Culainn.