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Interpreting Art
There are certain recurring images that have been unearthed,
which are clues to ancient belief systems:
1) Neolithic megaliths tend to have the following images: spirals,
concurrent circles, triangles, zig-zags, possible images of the sun
and moon in addition to people. Look to the Monuments page for
illustrations.
2) Iron Age and earlier finds show a preponderance of spoked
wheel symbols (representing the sun?). Other Celtic finds include
swastikas, birds, double axes, rosettes, boars and bulls.
3) Certain themes recur when depicting deities: horned gods, triple
gods/goddesses, mother goddesses and animism.
4) The stag-god and the bull-horned god (worshipped in Northern
areas) are usually not seen with a consort, with a single exception
of a single site where he is shown with a horned goddess. That
location is the site of Rutupiae.
There are certain recurring images that have been unearthed,
which are clues to ancient belief systems:
1) Neolithic megaliths tend to have the following images: spirals,
concurrent circles, triangles, zig-zags, possible images of the sun
and moon in addition to people. Look to the Monuments page for
illustrations.
2) Iron Age and earlier finds show a preponderance of spoked
wheel symbols (representing the sun?). Other Celtic finds include
swastikas, birds, double axes, rosettes, boars and bulls.
3) Certain themes recur when depicting deities: horned gods, triple
gods/goddesses, mother goddesses and animism.
4) The stag-god and the bull-horned god (worshipped in Northern
areas) are usually not seen with a consort, with a single exception
of a single site where he is shown with a horned goddess. That
location is the site of Rutupiae.
The basic forms used to
decorate megalithic
monuments (left to right)
decorate megalithic
monuments (left to right)
- dot/cupmark
- line
- circle
- quadrangle
- arc
- zigzag
- wavy line
- spiral
- oval
The Power of Three
Although this phrase does make people think of a specific TV series,
this phrase is extremely appropriate for the Celts as well.
Repeatedly in art there are 3's - stellae and statues with 3 heads
(tricephalic), the triskele (a three way celtic knot, also can be see on
the above referenced show), triple goddesses, etc.
Although this phrase does make people think of a specific TV series,
this phrase is extremely appropriate for the Celts as well.
Repeatedly in art there are 3's - stellae and statues with 3 heads
(tricephalic), the triskele (a three way celtic knot, also can be see on
the above referenced show), triple goddesses, etc.
Sun as healer
Associating the sun with a healthy glow is an age old concept.
The Celts equated the sun god with healing. Thus solar and
wheel images, especially on jewelry, often represent this power.
(remember: an amulet cannot replace the protective power of a
good 48 SPF sunscreen)
Associating the sun with a healthy glow is an age old concept.
The Celts equated the sun god with healing. Thus solar and
wheel images, especially on jewelry, often represent this power.
(remember: an amulet cannot replace the protective power of a
good 48 SPF sunscreen)
Emphatically Torc-ed
Torcs (necklace seen to the left) helped to reinforce head worship.
They could also be placed on the upper arms ritually extricating, as
a torc around the neck does, the top of the body from the rest
Torcs (necklace seen to the left) helped to reinforce head worship.
They could also be placed on the upper arms ritually extricating, as
a torc around the neck does, the top of the body from the rest