Eclectic
The Celts observed 17 cycles in the visible moon. On the first day of a new moon, the Celts believed (believe) that extraordinary things were likely to occur. They also thought 17 generations was as far back as collective memory could reach. Thus, the collective memory was on the order of 400 years.
Twenty-seven is the sacred number 9 times three…..making 27 three times as consequential to the Celts as 9. Obviously, given the potency of the number 27, it made good sense to the Celts to surround themselves with units comprised of 27 elements. Thus, the basic Celtic military unit had 27 members and a Celtic Chieftain had 27 members in the royal court.
The Celts used a 9-day week based on lunar phases. Thus, nine was an important number in the Celtic Worldview. To them, the 9th wave was the mystic interaction of sea and wind…that is the boundary between this world and the Otherworld.
The Celts believed that certain numbers were associated with various aspects of existence. Three is one of those numbers. Consequently, sets of 3 can be found throughout Celtic culture. For instance, the interrelationship of land, water, and air was considered to be essential to existence. Not surprisingly then, the earth/sky/water were considered to be a three layered marriage.
Three appears in many other contexts….harvesting, planting, and fallowing….mother, maiden, crone (grandmother)….father, son, grandson. The significance of the “three” at issue depends upon the context in which it is found. For instance, a three fold symbol found in a smithy’s workshop most likely represents the interconnectedness of harvesting, planting, and fallowing.
Snakes were thought to be useful totems to help keep warriors safe/strong. Because snakes shed their skin they also were considered to be signs of renewal/new beginnings. Celts believe/believed that if you saw a snake when you were in a trance like state that you were about to embark on a new phase of your life
The boar was accorded considerable respect in pre Christian and Christian times. It was hunted extensively and considered to be a worthy foe. Its ferocity when cornered was particularly admired. Given these traits, it is not too surprisingly that the image of a boar decorated warriors’ weapons and other objects.
Boars (boar heads) were used as charges on many Coats of Arms. Interestingly, a Boar’s Head on a Coat of Arms refers to hospitality. If the complete Boar is depicted, it carries qualities of the boar described in the opening paragraph.
Bulls were potent symbols for Celts. On one hand they were associated with wealth and prosperity because wealth was often calculated in terms of how many cows you owned. They were also admired for their strength, endurance, ferocity, and fertility. Thus, one finds them used to decorate homes (often decorating bedding) and in war contexts.
Butterflies are beautiful and transformative (egg, larvae, pupae, butterfly). The Celts were very close to nature and its ever changing, regenerative patterns. They believe/believed strongly that humans beings are transformed at death, that they move on to another phase of life (not all that different from this life). The butterfly embodies that transformative belief. Thus, the butterfly symbol is/was integrated into the very fabric of Celtic existence.
Ravens, crows, eagles and other birds were of consequence in Celtic art. The eagle was used to symbolize rebirth and resurrection. Eagles feathers in some quarters were used to designate rank. As in other cultures, the eagle was venerated for its keen eyesight.
Ravens were thought to be messengers from the gods or gods themselves in one of their shapes.
As one would expect, dogs played an important role in Celtic life. They represented loyalty and friendship. Dogs were used in hunting and herding. Celts also used dogs, probably wolfhounds, in battle. Some myths revolve around the use and misuse of dogs. One of the central myths in Celtic lore (Cu’ Chulainn…the hound of Culann) revolves around the killing of Culann’s hound by Cu’ Chulainn. His atonement for that deed was to make an oath to perform the dog’s protective duties. His eventual death has to do with violating an aspect of his atonement oath.
Stylized depictions of dogs appear in Celtic documents. They are quite prominent in the Book of Kells, for instance.
