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Celtic Symbols |
Much of the
Celtic art is depicted with animals as the subject. The Celts were in awe of
animals; birds in particular were used on jewellery, cookware and murals on
walls. The Celts seemed to think that by painting a certain animal on their
belongings, they would miraculously be bestowed with its characteristics;
i.e. they would have the bravery and cunning of a wolf and look fierce in
battle like a wolf, a hawk would give them good eye sight, mystical
foresight sometimes which comes from Celts envying birds being able to fly.
The Celts lovingly recreated animal symbols on their shields, a practice,
which strengthened in medieval times and became the forerunner of Heraldry.
Clans were recognised by their crests.
The earliest animal used by
the Celts was the snake and has its origins in the Celtic interlacing
knotwork, the body taking on the twists and a snake head or a few snake
heads either in the centre or round the outside. Snakes shed their skin and
so were thought of as being reborn and although many species are poisonous
their saliva was a representation of healing. The sideways slithering of a
snake represents river and sea and a connection of heaven and earth and
snakes were thought of protectors to the Celts many gods. The snake was a
phallic symbol and therefore linked to fertility too.
Horses were
popular with the nobility of the Celts. The horse’s characteristics are
elegant and strong, able to pull heavy weights. If you owned a horse you
must have money: horses pulled chariots fitting for kings and nobility to
ride in and they took the lead by steering the horse so the rider or driver
had the power in their hands. The Celts worshipped a horse goddess called
Epona who was worshipped from the 1st to the 4th century AD. Sadly the horse
was also the most sacrificed to please the gods. Later the horse was adapted
with wings so that it had the power of flight and this symbol eventually
materialised in to the winged horse Pegasus, from Greek folklore.
Dogs feature regularly as entwined snarling celtic artwork, a lot of the
time placed in a triangular shape which meant divinity and gods, latterly
the father, the son and holy ghost in Christianity. Many Celts diverted to
Christianity and symbolisation shows this. They are portrayed with male and
female forms accompanying them, Celtic deities. As hunting animals dogs were
aggressive and good watchdogs at home and the afterlife. Children’s graves,
which were excavated, had the remains of at least one dog in them too,
implying that they were killed and buried with the loved one to continually
protect them on their journey to the afterlife.
The rooster is a
favourite holy animal to the Celts, similar in status to the rabbit, goose
and crane, so much so that it was forbidden to eat in some Celtic areas. The
noise of the rooster starts a new day. It is a bird of battle and was
ornamented on warriors to give them courage. The rooster is still to this
day and emblem on the coat of arms of France.
Trees were depicted
on Celtic artwork, the first pictures of the branches only. The tree gave
the Celts many things: building materials for their houses and chariots and
storage jars and cooking utensils for their homes. It provided a roof over
their heads. A tree symbolises long life and good health and it was an
important source of food. Some people’s names were after species of trees
i.e. Maccuill - son of the hazel Macdaro - son of the oak. In modern day we
talk about the tree of life and our family tree, the tree with its roots
deep down in the soil keeping everything together. The oak tree was very
important to the druids and the Romans and Greeks. The word druid means "oak
knower": trees were thought to give them special powers and they were
supposed to be able to communicate with them and wildlife.
Horns
were commonly used in the Hallstatt period of the Celts. They were also
reproduced on drawings. The horn was a symbol of renewal. People used it in
rituals and around their fires to drink out of; when you drank out of a horn
you were nourishing yourself and thus renewing yourself. The Vikings adopted
the horn to make them look fierce when they were raiding other lands and it
was used to store dry substances where people had to carry things around.
Horns were used as welcoming symbols, especially to visiting druids, a sort
of salute to them and to show their high status.
The sword was
another symbol used in Celtic pictures. The la Teine time was the most
popular for sword symbols. As the Celts were a warring people they developed
great skill in making weapons, especially swords, lances and spears and
taking great care with the scabbard working in intricate patterns showing
superiority in metal work. The story of King Arthur and the Round table
comes from the sword "Excalibur" which was thought to have magical
properties and could only is wielded by a righteous person. Excalibur comes
from Celtic French origins and Avalon in France was where Arthur was said to
rest. Remember no one could pull it out the stone except Arthur. The handles
of swords were also brilliantly fashioned in to snakes and human form, again
showing quality craftmanship. The Celts slayed their enemies with their
swords. It was not uncommon for these people to become cannibalistic and eat
their foes so that they swallow their characteristics and they become
theirs. The Roman' s feared the Celts because of this trait, thinking them
barbarians.
The number 3 was very important in Celtic ideals. Not
only was it to melt in to Christianity with the 3 trinities but it also
stood for the 3 transitions of life - birth life and death. From as early as
the 8th century triangles were used as a backdrop for a scene but experts
think that they were there for decoration only at that stage. Later houses
and the human form progressed from the triangles. In their early savagery
Celts worshipped the mother goddess who was pictured in triple
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P.O. Box 8631
Saltcoats
Ayrshire
KA21 5YF
Scotland, UK.
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Tel: +44 (0)1294 469241
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