Copyright 2007 * Celtic Symbols * All Rights Reserved
It is no wonder that animal symbols were enormously important to Celtic populations, considering that they depended so completely on animals for their food, clothing, tools, etc.
Animals in general represent fertility, vitality and the natural life cycle.
They are often connected with the world of spirits and gods, and their sacred nature is reflected in the hunting tales of shape-changing and magic. Apart from their general association with life, growth and reproduction, according to their particular characteristics different animals were used to symbolise different powers, attributes or gifts.
Below are described the main Celtic animal symbols.
They are often connected with the world of spirits and gods, and their sacred nature is reflected in the hunting tales of shape-changing and magic. Apart from their general association with life, growth and reproduction, according to their particular characteristics different animals were used to symbolise different powers, attributes or gifts.
Below are described the main Celtic animal symbols.
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Cernunnos the stag god, from the Gundestrup cauldren (Denmark), 1st Century B.C.
The Celtic horse symbol was associated with victory in war. The Celtic horse-goddess Epona (from epos, the Gaulish word for 'horse'), or the 'Great Mare', was worshipped by the Gauls and was so popular that the Romans adopted her cult and built a temple to her.
HORSE
Uffington Horse chalk figure, England -Bronze Age
The horse goddess Epona was believed to accompany the soul of the dying on its final journey.
The Uffington White Horse (left), Britain's oldest and most famous hill figure, is widely believed to be a Celtic symbol representing Epona.
The Uffington White Horse (left), Britain's oldest and most famous hill figure, is widely believed to be a Celtic symbol representing Epona.
The most important and famous Celtic animal symbol associated with the stag is that of Cernunnos, the horned (antlered) god of all wild animals, hunting and fertility and the consort of the Great Mother. Cernunnos represents the active side of nature; consequently, he is the god of sexuality (in the detail on the left he is depicted holding a torc in one hand and a serpent in the other - symbols of female and male sexuality). This characteristic caused him to be branded as evil by the early Christian Church, which identified him with Satan himself. In actual fact, Cernunnos was not an evil god, but the fact that he was
worshipped by pagan Celtic populations as the god of all things made him an altogether too popular rival for the Church.
Cernunnos the horned god is also associated with another well-known symbol, the Green Man.
In Celtic mythology the white stag is a sign of the Otherworld, and appears to the heroes of stories to indicate the entrance to the otherworld or the presence of gods or spirits (the white stag appears at the beginning and end of the Narnia adventure in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
Cernunnos the horned god is also associated with another well-known symbol, the Green Man.
In Celtic mythology the white stag is a sign of the Otherworld, and appears to the heroes of stories to indicate the entrance to the otherworld or the presence of gods or spirits (the white stag appears at the beginning and end of the Narnia adventure in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
In Celtic mythology the wild boar was sacred to the goddess Arduinna (of the Ardennes Forest
of Belgium and Luxembourg); in some Celtic myths it had the role of leading its hunters to the Otherworld.
The boar was a symbol of fearlessness and strength. In the hunt the boar was not an easy prey; it was courageous, fierce and difficult to kill, and naturally commanded the respect of its hunters.
of Belgium and Luxembourg); in some Celtic myths it had the role of leading its hunters to the Otherworld.
The boar was a symbol of fearlessness and strength. In the hunt the boar was not an easy prey; it was courageous, fierce and difficult to kill, and naturally commanded the respect of its hunters.
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Bronze wild boar from the Oppidum of Joeuvres, France.
1st Century B.C.
1st Century B.C.
To Celtic warriors, therefore, it was the symbol of victory and bravery, and they often wore boar amulets to protect themselves in battle.
The boar was depicted on coins and artefacts more than any other animal except for the horse, and generally displayed extremely large and spiky bristles, suggesting that the power of the wild boar resided here. Many Celtic myths, in fact, emphasise the important feature of the bristles.
The boar was depicted on coins and artefacts more than any other animal except for the horse, and generally displayed extremely large and spiky bristles, suggesting that the power of the wild boar resided here. Many Celtic myths, in fact, emphasise the important feature of the bristles.
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The bull is a symbol of physical and mental strength, of 'bull-headed' perseverance. Like other animals with similar characteristics it also represents virility and fertility; its symbols, in fact, were worn in the bed chamber on the wedding night to encourage sexual strength and endurance.
Ouroroboros, ancient symbol of serpent swallowing its own tail.
Due to its unique characteristic represented by the cyclical shedding of its skin, the serpent was the Celtic symbol of rebirth and was widely referred as an immortal creature that came to life each year after hibernation, complete with
a new skin.
a new skin.
Bronze head of bull from
the Brå Cauldron (Denmark)
3rd Century B.C.
the Brå Cauldron (Denmark)
3rd Century B.C.
To the sea-faring and fishing Celts the fish was also of central importance. The Celtic symbol of the fish, especially the salmon, represents knowledge, wisdom, prophecy and mystic inspiration.
In Celtic animal symbols birds represented freedom and transcendence, having the power to soar up above the earth into the heavens, and return to bring messages from the gods.
They were thus regarded as spiritual messengers and mediators between earth-bound mortals and the heavenly world.
They were thus regarded as spiritual messengers and mediators between earth-bound mortals and the heavenly world.
In Celtic mythology the Salmon of Wisdom were the keepers of all knowledge, which they gained by eating the nuts of the sacred hazel trees.
Salmon and trout were often linked to sacred wells and springs, which were places of physical healing and Celtic symbols of spiritual rebirth.
Salmon and trout were often linked to sacred wells and springs, which were places of physical healing and Celtic symbols of spiritual rebirth.
WILD BOAR
BULL
SERPENT
FISH
BIRD
STAG
The bull also represented wealth, since its presence in the lives of the Celts meant abundance and plenty.
The serpent is also both a phallic symbol (it is often seen depicted with Cernunnos, as in the figure above) and, paradoxically, a Celtic symbol of feminine power. It is also associated with the element of water.
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The symbolism of Celtic birds also varies according to the characteristics of the type of bird.
Ravens and crows represented death; peacocks symbolised purity; the eagle was a symbol of nobitity, and the heron, one of the few animals that mates for life, represented loyalty and lifelong love.
Ravens and crows represented death; peacocks symbolised purity; the eagle was a symbol of nobitity, and the heron, one of the few animals that mates for life, represented loyalty and lifelong love.
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