A4 Easóg - Stoat

Also known as An bheainín uasal. Usually the suffix "ín" means little. So this would mean little woman, however…

An bean uasal = noble lady 👑

An cailín uasal = noble girl 👸

In Ireland only 13.5% of the population of stoat have the typically distinct straight division of a dark coat and white belly. In the North part of Europe, Asia & America it's coat changes to all white in winter.❄️

The stoat at times is called a weasel in Ireland, even though the smaller weasel is not native to Ireland. If you encountered one while setting out on a journey it was bad luck, warded off by greeting it like a neighbour.☘️

The Irish people have an anthromorphically notion of the stoat. Believing they had rituals for their dead and would steal from humans. They also thought the saliva was poisonous (which it isn't). It was commonly accepted that stoats would hold the souls of children who were not baptised.⛪️

Symbol of virtue and purity (Lady with Ermine - Da Vinci). The pelt of the stoat was used for monarchs and members of the House of Lords.