Search results
Ancient Celtic religion, commonly known as Celtic paganism, [1] [2] [3] was the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples of Europe. Because there are no extant native records of their beliefs, evidence about their religion is gleaned from archaeology, Greco-Roman accounts (some of them hostile and probably not well-informed), and literature from ...
- The Celtic Gods
- Druids
- Sacred Sites, Sanctuaries & Temples
- Rituals, Offerings & Sacrifices
- Burial Practices
- Decline
The ancient Celtic pantheon had over 400 gods, but these may not have been envisaged with human characteristics as was the case in, say, the ancient Greek religion. Neither can one really say there is a pantheon of universal gods worshipped everywhere speakers of the Celtic language lived. Rather, the Celts across Europe venerated some gods which w...
The religious leaders in Celtic communities, and those regarded as intermediaries between humanity and the gods, were the Druids, a class of individuals known for their great wisdom and knowledge of traditions. Not only priests who managed all religious rituals such as sacrifices to the gods, druids were able to give practical help by interpreting ...
Natural sites of importance such as rivers, lakes, and bogs were held as sacred by the Celts as water was considered a conduit to the Otherworld. For this reason, springs and river confluences were considered especially sacred. Hilltops, mountains, and sacred groves of trees (nemeton), especially oaks, also hosted rituals and ceremonies. Even indiv...
Rituals were held in accordance with a particular schedule based on the cycles of nature, astronomy, and, in particular, the phases of the Moon. Prayers and incantations were offered to the gods. Votive offerings were made at sacred sites to thank or appease the gods, or to gain their favour for future events or to avoid disasters like war, famine,...
Archaeological evidence is strong that the Celts believed in an afterlife. Burials of rulers and elite individuals (both men and women) often have the deceased interred along with their personal possessions, weapons, armour, tools, eating utensils and paraphernalia for Celtic feasts, board games, extra clothing, foodstuffs, and precious objects lik...
From the 1st century BCE and the conquest of Gaul, the Roman Empire at first took a less aggressive stance against the Celtic religion, satisfying itself with robbing Celtic temples of their treasures. Statues of Roman gods appeared in Celtic temples and shrines, but some Celtic deities were adopted by the Romans, too, particularly members of the R...
- Mark Cartwright
Sulis. Celtic religion, religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Celts. The Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, reached the apogee of their influence and territorial expansion during the 4th century bc, extending across the length of Europe from Britain to Asia Minor. From the 3rd century bc onward their history is one of decline and ...
People also ask
What is ancient Celtic religion?
Where did ancient Celts worship?
Did ancient Celts have a polytheistic religion?
What were the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul?
Celtic religion - Druids, Rituals, Gods: Little is known about the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul. They believed in a life after death, for they buried food, weapons, and ornaments with the dead. The druids, the early Celtic priesthood, taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. The Irish believed in an otherworld, imagined sometimes ...
Mar 15, 2021 · In the religion of the ancient Celts who lived in Iron Age Europe from 700 BCE to 400 CE, certain natural sites like springs, river sources, and groves were held as sacred. These places, as well as some urban sites, often had purpose-built temples, shrines, and sanctuaries. Here, druids performed rituals and prayers while votive offerings of ...
- Mark Cartwright
Mar 19, 2021 · Andrasta - a Celtic goddess known only from a single reference by the Roman writer Cassius Dio (c. 164 - c. 235 CE). He records that Boudicca (d. 61 CE), queen of the Iceni in Britain, called upon the help of Andrasta when there was a tribal uprising in 61 CE. Hares were sacrificed to Andrasta.
Celtic religion and mythology, steeped in mystery and reverence for nature, have intrigued scholars and enthusiasts for centuries. The rich tapestry of tales, deities, and spiritual beliefs provides insights into how the ancient Celts perceived the world and their place within it. Primary Sources: Deciphering the Ancient Beliefs
