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In Irish mythology, Cian was the father of Lug by Ethlinn and a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
According to a prophecy, Balor, the king of the Fomorians, was to be killed by his grandson. He locked his daughter, Ethlinn, in a tower made of crystal to keep her from becoming pregnant. However, Cian, with the help of the druidess Birog, managed to enter the tower. Ethlinn soon gave birth to Lugh, a son of Cian. Balor then threw Lugh into the ocean, but Lugh was saved by Birog and became the foster son of Manannan mac Lir.
Cian was killed by the sons of Tuireann, Brian, Iuchar and Iucharba, while in the form of a pig. Lug set them a series of seemingly impossible quests as recompense. They achieved them all, but were fatally wounded in completing the last one. Despite Tuireann's pleas, Lug denied them the use of one of the items they had retrieved, a magic pigskin which healed all wounds. They died of their wounds, and Tuireann died of grief over their bodies.
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