The Origin of the Celts

The Celts originated in areas of central Europe during the latter part of the Bronze Age, some two thousand years B.C. The earliest traces of their existence have been discovered in Germany, Austria and France.

In Austria as the Bronze Age gave way to the Iron Age eight or nine hundred years B.C. they established a culture known as Hallstatt. At this time there was extensive trading between the Celtic tribes in Bavaria and Bohemia and the Greeks. The name Celts is derived from the name given them by the Greeks, Keltoi, the Romans referred to them as Galli or Gauls. During the sixth century B.C. Celtic society changed with the progress of the Iron Age forming a culture called La Tiene. This was the beginning of the distinctive style of art that the Celts are known for, they had also developed more fighting skills as has been shown by the discovery of decorated swords buried with their warrior owners.

How The Celts Arrived in Britain

From around six hundred years B.C. the Greeks had transformed a colony in southern France into a thriving city then known as Massilia, now called Marseille due to trading with the Gauls. These were the glory days for the Celts who migrated to Spain, Turkey, areas of the Black Sea and at some point during this century they crossed the channel to Britain and Ireland where they were known as the Cymic Celts. A few hundred years later the Bronze Age had given way to the Iron Age and Celtic society was established. The Celts had become very powerful and by their sheer weight of numbers arriving in Ireland, the previous culture had disappeared within a few hundred years.

Although the Celts living in Britain and Ireland were skilled warriors and artisans they were illiterate and there are no written records of this time. All their knowledge and traditions were passed down by word of mouth, much of what is known was written by Roman observers of other Celtic races, (the Romans never invaded Ireland) and later by Christian monks who recorded the traditions of the people they converted. Ireland was divided into many kingdoms and the kings and noblemen participated in battles, if they failed at war their positions in society were jeopardized. The powerful warriors were revered and were remembered in myths for centuries.

Celtic Beliefs, Myths and Legends

The Celts were very close to nature, they placed great significance on events such as sunrise and sunset, the solstices and the equinoxes and there were four major festivals each year, in February Imbolg, in May Bealtaine, Lughnasa in August and Samhain at the start of winter. Surprisingly the Christian monks were careful to record and respect the pagan legends, St Patrick had doubts until a vision telling him to do so dispelled them.

There were many Celtic gods and they were all given human form most notably in the case of Lugh whom the Irish summer festival Lughnasadh is named after. According to Celtic mythology Lugh presented himself as the saviour of the Tuatha dé Danann at the palace of King Nuada, Tara. Seeking admission, he announced his skills one at a time, warrior, poet, musician, scholar, blacksmith etc, he was refused admission every time he stated one until he explained that no one could be skilled in all these fields unless he was a god.

The Dagda was the chief of the gods, he had a richly decorated harp which he carried everywhere with him, even into battle, finding that it had been captured along with his harpist, Uaithne, by the Formarians he became incensed and went to retrieve it with his son Aengus Og. As they approached the Formarian camp they could hear the sounds of feasting and peering through the doorway into the smoke filled hall they could see the harp hung on the wall, the Dagda called his harp with an ancient chant. The harp flew across the room to him, killing nine men as it travelled, the company became silent and the Dagda played a succession of melodies which ended with one sending the warriors to sleep. The Dagda, his son and Uaithne left taking the harp with them.

Celtic Goddesses were very powerful and feature prominently in Celtic mythology, one was Aine, the Fairy Queen of Munster, she was the goddess of love and fertility and controlled crops and animals. Another legend tells of the Fianna, a band of heroes led by Fion mac Cumhail, who maintained law and order in Scotland and Ireland. The Fianna tales feature fantastic interaction with the gods.

There is a huge amount of literature relating to Celtic mythology, a lot of it being rewritten in a more modern style during the 20th century and mostly very accurate to the original. The internet will also provide much information relating to all aspects of Celtish life, legend and mythology and is a good place to start learning more about this fascinating subject.

Now you have a better understanding of the rish Celtic history, witness the craft first hand by viewing our beautiful Celtic warrior collection. These designs were inspired by the Celtic shields of old and of course, the famous Ardagh Chalice.

Tags: celtic folklore, celtic history, celtic mythology, fion mac cumhail, the celts