CELTIC

MYTHOLOGY
 CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
More localized unlike Greek,
Roman and Egyptian myths
With 400 Celtic gods and
goddesses (many are
recognized by small cults)
DIVISIONS OF CELTIC
MYTHOLOGY:
1.Gaulish mythology
2.Irish Mythology
3.Scottish Mythology
GAUL
A vast area of Europe where France, Belgium, Switzerland
and some surrounding areas are now located
 Gaulish Mythology
Begins as an early Celtic Mythology
Eventually merges with Roman
polytheism
One of the areas of French Mythology
Gauls did not write about their own
religion, so much of what is known about
their mythology is found in Latin works
from Roman authors.
 Irish Mythology

Was a part of the religion of

the Irish before Christianity
took hold
Was later preserved to some
extent in storytelling
Map of Ireland
Mythological Origins of
the Irish Race
 Divisions of Irish
Mythology
1.Mythological Cycle
2.Ulster Cycle
3.Fenian Cycle
4.Historical Cycles
 1. Mythological Cycle
Least intact
Describes the state of Irish mythology
Consists of numerous prose tales and
poems found in medieval manuscripts:
1. Lebor Gabala Erenn
2. Annals of the Four Masters
3. Seathrun Ceitinns History of Ireland
 2. Ulster Cycle
Takes place as Christianity is taking hold in Ireland
Describes heroes rather than gods and goddesses
Deals with the lives of Conchobar mac Nessa,
king of Ulster, the great hero Cuchulainn, and of
their friends, lovers and enemies
Stories are written mainly in prose
Centerpiece is TAIN BO CUAILNGE (Cattle Raid of
Cooley)
 3. Fenian Cycle

A body of prose and verse centering on

the exploits of the mythical hero Fionn
mac Cumhaill and his warriors, the
Fianna
Also known as the Fianna Cycle, Fionn
Cycle, Finn Cycle and Ossianic Cycle
 4. Historical Cycles

Also known as the Cycles of Kings

A body of Old and Middle Irish
literature
Contain stories of the legendary
kings of Ireland
Court Poets or Medieval Irish Bards

Record the history of the family and the

genealogy of the king they served
Did in poems that blended the
mythological and the historical to a
greater or lesser degree
Resulted to the Historical Cycles
Greatest Glory of the
Cycle:

Buile Shuibhne
(The Frenzy of Sweeney)
12th century
 IRISH
GODDESSES
 Scottish Mythology

Myths have emerged for

various purposes throughout
the history of Scotland.
Map of Scotland
 Scottish Origins

Several were created during the

Historical Period
One was adapted from the 10th
century Latin life of St. Cathroe of
Metz
Hebridian Myths and Legends
1. Water spirits
Kelpies
Blue Men of the Minch
Seonaidh
Merpeople
Water Monsters
2. Wulvers
3. Will-o-the-Wisp
4. Fairies
5. Changeling
 Kelpies

Occupy several
lochs
In the form of a
horse
Takes people for
food
 Blue Men of the Minch

Also known as storm kelpies

Occupy the stretch of water between
Lewis and Mainland Scotland
Looks for sailors to drown and
stricken boats to sink
 Seonaidh

A water spirit who

had to be offered ale
Merpeople
Creature of half man and
half fish
Claimed that a
mermaids grave is in
Benbecula
Accounts stated that the
upper part of the
creature was the size of
an infant, while the
bottom was like a
salmon.
 Loch Monsters
Resembles a capsized
boat
Has been reported
swimming for one and a
half centuries
Locals say lambs were
once offered annually to
the creature.
 Will-o-the-wisp
Have been reported in the areas of
Sandwick
Lights that float around the area
normally announce approaching death of
a local
Some say that light belongs to an Irish
merchant who was robbed and
murdered on the island.
 Fairies
Beautiful
winged
creatures
Known to
have magical
powers
Wulvers
Descendants
of werewolves
Promised to
rise if their
graves were
disturbed
 Changeling
Typically described as
being the offspring of a
fairy, troll elf or other
legendary creature that
has been secretly left in
the place of a human child
Sometimes the term is
also used to refer to the
child who was taken.
 Fir Bolg

First established kingship and a

system of justice in Ireland
Represent a genuine historical
people
 Tuatha De Danaan

Peoples of the Goddess Danu

Defeated the Fir Bolg King,
Eochaid mac Eirc, in the First
Battle of Magh Tuiredh
 Dindshenchas
Another source of mythological
tradition
Lore of places
Poems and prose tales recounting
traditions of the origins of place-
names and events and personages
associated with those places
 Conaire Mor
The Great Son
Son of Eterscel, the High King of Ireland
Reign is long and peaceful
Belonged to the legendary Clanna Dedad,
the legendary royal family of the Erainn
Last king in the direct male line from
Conaire Mor was Alexander III of
Scotland.
Celtic Myths and Legen
ds