Celtic Mythology Textbook pg. 176

What is a Celt? The Celts are a linguistic group in the Indo-European language family. Today, only small populations in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Brittany still speak Celtic languages. Historically, Celtic tribes inhabited most of the European continent, and Celtic languages were spoken from Spain to Austria, from Belgium to Turkey. The biblical Galatians were Celtic.

How Do We Know What We Know? Unfortunately the Celts were largely illiterate and did not record their myths. The best archives of Celtic mythology is found in Ireland. Most of what we know of the Celts comes from their enemies…especially the Romans. Celtic religion (druidism) was animistic and polytheistic, with many local gods and goddesses. No standardization of the mythology in ancient times. Druids were a priestly class who worshipped gods in natural areas (oak, hazel, mistletoe, thistle). Druids were apparently forbidden from writing down lore.

History Recorded by Enemies Julius Caesar wrote that the Gauls (continental Celts) practiced ritual killing and human sacrifice (burning in wicker cages). Caesar also noted a strong belief in reincarnation among the druidic teachings of the Gauls. Headhunting seems to have been practiced as well – stone heads a common marker of Celtic culture. Severed heads a source of spiritual power.

Celtic Creation Myth Unfortunately, there are no records that document a consistent creation myth. However, it is believed that everyone descended from Donn, the Celtic god of the dead. Another belief is that all the Celtic gods emerged from an oak tree.

Celtic Pantheon

Daghdha Known as the “good god.” Controls weather and fertility in addition to magic, wisdom, life and death. Has a magic club that he uses to kill with one end and heal with the other. God of plenty, carries a cauldron that “no company ever went away unsatisfied.”

Cernunnos Name means “the horned one.” Lord of the Animals Dispenser of fruit, grain, and money. A fertility god, his horns symbolized aggressiveness and fertility. Shape-shifter (usually turned into a snake or wolf). Earliest record of Cernunnos is in Italy around 400 B.C.E, but believed he is represented earlier in cave paintings.

Belenus God of agriculture. Associated with the healing power of the sun (sometimes comparable to Greek god Apollo). Beltane was a festival in his honor on May 1st where great bonfires were used to re-warm the earth

Epona Horse goddess Father mated with a horse, because he hated women. Often shown riding side saddle or standing between two ponies Later research is suggesting that it is possible that Epona was really the horse and that the person pictured to the right is just a rider.

Nantosuelta Name means “wandering river.” Goddess of nature, valleys, and streams. Possibly also a fertility goddess (water heavily associated with childbirth). Patron of hearth and home Consort of Sucellus

Sucellus Name means “good striker.” Would come end your suffering with a strike from his hammer. King of the gods. Guardian of the forests and the patron god of agriculture. Often shown with his wife Nantosuelta.

Taranis God of thunder (possibly a war god as well). Rides the sky in a chariot – wheels make thunder and lightning comes from the sparks of his horses’ hooves Had human sacrifices made to him Worshipped by the Celts under different names across the European continent.

Brigantia/Brigid Goddess of victory and healing. Ruled over sacred sources of healing waters (Bath, England specifically).

Danu The mother goddess. From her sprang all the waters that formed the rivers of the world. Out of this water grew an oak tree from which all the Celtic gods came from.

Lugh Most important of the Celtic Pantheon. Name means “the radiant one.” God of Light. Seen as a great warrior and a master craftsman.

Morrigan Goddess of war. Would appear on the battlefield in the form of a raven. This would symbolize that death was near.

Heroes

Nuadu and the Tuatha De Duanann Nuadu is the legendary king of Ireland and defends Ireland against several invasions (The Invasion Cycle). During one of the invasions, Nuadu loses his right arm and must relinquish his kingdom and is banished from the island of Ireland. Ireland falls under dark times with several unjust kings. Nuadu returns with a magical arm made of silver with his followers, the Tuatha De Duanann, to retake his homeland.

Nuadu burns the ships so that there is no hope of retreat. The Tuatha De Duanann are victorious, but Nuadu abdicates his throne to the god Lugh.

Cu Chulainn and the Ulster Cycle Cu Chulainn was a the son of Lugh and a mortal woman. At the age of 7, he defeated three champions and from there continued to grow in strength and ability. Deemed the greatest hero of the Ulster region of Ireland. Defeated the entire army of Maeve, the legendary queen of Connaught, using his weapon Gae Bolga, a spear that enters the body as one barb but increases to 24 barbs in the wound. Maeve puts a sleeping spell upon Cu Chulainn, and he continues to sleep in a cave until needed again by Ireland

Finn and the Fenian Myths Finn, or Finn MacCool depending on the translation, was the son of Cumhail, the king of Ireland. Finn was placed under the instruction of a Druid priest who teaches him of the Salmon of Knowledge. While cooking the salmon, Finn touches the salmon burns his thumb and places it in his mouth, gaining the knowledge of the salmon. From then on, all Finn has to put his thumb in his mouth and a solution to his problem is revealed.

Finn’s greatest adventure happens when he travels to the city of Tara. Tara is plagued by the demon, Aileen the burner. Every year Aileen would sing the song of sleep and put the townsfolk to sleep and burn the city with fire from his eyes. Finn places a fiery spear against his face so the pain keeps him awake and he slays the demon, saving the city of Tara. Finn would live out his days as a warrior and king of Ireland.

Arthurian Legend Arthurian legend is deeply rooted in Celtic tradition. However, it only achieved it popularity when it became the dominate theme of medieval literature. Arthur, his knights of the Round Table, and their adventures are still known about today.

Monsters and the Otherworld

The Otherworld The Celts believed in hundreds of gods and goddesses. Some of them were half-god and some were humans who became gods because of their contact with the otherworld. According to the Celtic myths, the Celtic deities or the fairy people lived in the domain that was generally called the "Otherworld". These domains were hidden from mortal eyes. Sometimes, the Otherworld was called Sidhe (literally translates to “fairy palace”).

Leprechaun A type of fairy. Said to be a cobbler who made shoes for the fairy people. Tasked with guarding Ireland’s treasure, which they hide at the end of rainbows.

Dullahan A headless rider on a black horse, who carries his severed head in his hands. Uses a human spine as a whip and his wagon is adorned with funeral objects. People who cross the path of the Dullahan are expected to die.

Banshee A female spirit. Heralds the death of someone through their shrieks and wails. “The Wail of the Banshee”

Fairy Common dwellers of the Otherworld. Known for gracing fields and dells. Granted a wish to anyone who could catch them. Generally seen a benevolent.

Balor “The Demon King” Balor was depicted as a giant with a one massive eye. The eye was said to spread destruction when it was opened. Some interpret him to be a god, others as personification of blight and drought.

Modern Cultural References There is a professional wrestler who used the stage name, Finn Balor, who draws his name from Celtic Mythology. Balor has a alternate form he calls the “demon king” that he takes on to intimidate his opponents. Finn Balor Explains Demon King Finn Balor Demon King Entrance