Celtic Mythology Alexandra Bueno and Emily Drake

The Celts? Who? •  The Celts were/are a linguistic group in the Indo-European language

family. Their unifying language was known as old Celtic, and was the closest cousin to Italic- Latin's precursor.

•  Perhaps the best known Celtic language remaining is Gaelic. •  Historically, Celtic tribes inhabited most of the European continent, and

Celtic languages were spoken from Spain to Austria, from Belgium to Turkey.

What is "celtic mythology?" •  Unlike the formalized pantheons of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian

traditions, Celtic religion relied on the gods and goddesses known to worshippers in one localized area. It really depended on what part of Europe the tribe was in.

•  References have been found that identify more than 400 Celtic gods and goddesses, some of whom were recognized only by small cults.

•  It is therefore difficult to summarize the whole of Celtic belief without dividing it into subsections such as Gaulish vs. Irish mythology.

Gaulish Mythology •  Gaulish mythology began as an early Celtic religion, and eventually merged

with Roman polytheism into the Gallo-Roman religion. •  They worshipped a common pantheon as well as many tribal deities. They

did not write about their own religion, so what is known comes from Roman writings. The Gauls themselves were the ancestors of the French.

•  Ambisagrus: a later version of a Celtic thunder god associated with the Roman Jupiter.

•  Cernunnos: the Horned One. A god of agriculture and fertility, depicted with antlers and surrounded by animals.

•  Toutatis: a protector deity, worshipped as "father of the tribe." Related to Mercury.

Irish Mythology •  Irish mythology was a primary part of the beliefs of the Irish before

Christianity took hold. •  Most knowledge of Irish Mythology primarily comes from the four cycles:

the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and the Historical Cycle. (all are based on surviving manuscripts)

•  Mythological Cycle: comprised of stories about the former gods and origins of the Irish.

•  Ulster Cycle: comprised of heroic tales about the King of Ulster and his companions.

•  Fenian Cycle: comprised of other heroic tales, with strong links to Scotland. Written in verse.

•  Historical Cycle: the collected historical/mythological records made by Irish bards to record the family history of those they served.

Irish Mythology's Important Figures •  The Morrigan: is a goddess of battle, strife, and fertility. Her name

translates as either "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen." Associated with ravens and sometimes depicted as a trio of goddesses.

•  The Dagda: The god of earth and treaties, ruler over life and death. Leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

•  Tuatha Dé Danann: "People of the goddess Dannu." A race of gods who perfected the use of magic.

•  Danu: goddess of the earth and mother of many gods. •  Brigid: the "three-fold goddess." Fire of Inspiration, Fire of the Hearth,

Fire of the Forge.

How about those Druids? •  There seems to be a bit of confusion about the Druids, who are often

associated with the Celts in modern fictional literature. •  It is actually believed that this priestly group pre-dated the Celts! •  Celtic myth was never passed on through writing, but instead traveled

through the generations by way of their elaborate memorization and oral transmission. Therefore, the Celts and druid are

both ill-documented beyond Roman writings, which may have been exaggerated.

•  The very organized hierarchy of druids was in charge of memorizing and keeping the myths of the Celts alive through their oral tradition.

"Neo-paganism" •  Celtic Paganism isn't dead yet! •  There are certain reconstructionist groups that have

revived the pantheons used by the Celts. They have a presence in both the Celt's original home of Europe and our own continent.

But if becoming a neo-pagan doesn't seem like it's for you, you should know that many celebrations we take part in today are just Celtic festivals for the modern era.

Festivals

There are many important Celtic Festivals that take place to this day •  Samhain •  Imbolc

•  Beltain •  Lughasadh •  Solar Festivals

Samhain

•  Occurs on October 31, which is start of Celtic New Year •  Time when barrier between life and death

is thin •  Origins of Halloween •  Jack O'Lanterns originated when Celts

used to put skulls of ancestors on porches

Imbolc

•  Around January 31st •  Celebrate End of Winter •  Became Christian Feast of Bridgid •  Celebration lasted into 20th century for

Celtic Christians •  Still celebrated by Pagans

Beltain

• May 1st •  Fire Festival •  sacred to god Belenos "The Shining One" •  Origin of May Day

Lughnasadh

•  lasted as long as two weeks •  centered around July 31st •  introduced by god Lugh •  also associated with goddess Macha

Solar Festivals

•  celebrated solstices • midsummer celebrations •  Important Art Motifs from festivals:

o  sun disks o  swastikas (showing spinning sun) o  solar chariot wheels •  http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=IUFDmw_ahmk

Works Cited "The Celts." Ibiblio- the Gaelic Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. Sat. 20 Apr. 2013. http://www.ibiblio.org/gaelic/celts.html

"Celtic Mythology." Ancient-Mythology.com. N.p., 2013. Sat. 20 Apr. 2013. http://www.ancient-mythology.com/celtic/

Emmick, Jennifer. "Who Were the Druids?" Celtic Wisdom. About.com, n.d. Web. Sat. 20 Apr. 2013. http://www.netplaces.com/celtic-wisdom/the-druids/who-were-the-druids.htm

"Celtic mythology." Encyclopedia Mythica. Pantheon.org, 2012. Web. Sat. 20 April 2013. http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/celtic/articles.html

Work Cited Eddy, Steve, and Claire Hamilton. " The Celtic

Year." The Celtic Year. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2013.

"Halloween." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.

"Imbolc (Imbolg) - Cross Quarter Day." Imbolc (Imbolg) the Cross Quarter Day. N.p., n.d. Web.

8 Apr. 2013. "Trailwood Films - Ireland - Celtic Myths &

Splendors." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.