The word comes from the Greek word "mythos" meaning word or story.
Myths have been made since the beginning of history, passed on by word of mouth, storytelling, rituals, dance and art.
The Celt's had no writing and their Myths along with their laws and rituals were passed down by word of mouth.
Mostly by Druids (priests) and Bards (musicians and storytellers).
Some of the most famous Celtic gods were Lugus, Daghda, Cernunnos, Donar and Wodan.
More is know about Celtic myths from Ireland and Wales due to manuscripts from the 8th century and the 14th century.
Here is a small selection of some of the characters and stories from Celtic Mythology
God of youth and beauty, he was the son of Dagda
and dwelled in an underground fairy palace on the banks of the Boyne river.
Legend has it that he had a dream about a beautiful maiden and
then searched the whole of Ireland to find the maiden of his dreams.
When he found Caer she was chained to 150 maidens that where destined
to be transformed into swans at the feast of Samhain.
So Aengus turned himself into a swan so he could be with Caer.
A Celtic goddess of poetry mystery and the art of magic.
She was the daughter of Daghda and had two sisters also named Brighid.
One was the goddess of healing and the other the goddess of metal-craft.
"The Horned One" or antlered god of Celtic Mythology.
He is the lord of all animals and a god of fertility, connected to the arrival of spring and the warmer weather
A legendary Irish hero and the son of the sun god Lugh.
He defended Ulster against the army of Medhbha, who was trying to steel the Brown Bull of Cooley.
A curse brought a great sickness to the warriors of Ulster only
Cu Chulainn and his mortal father where not effected by the sickness.
Alone they took on the army of Medhbha and defeated them it was Madhbha that caused the death of Cu Chulainn.
(see Madhbha)
The ancient Celtic god of life and death known as the "good god".
He controls the weather and crops and is skilled in magic and possesses all wisdom.
He was an early chief of the Tuatha De Danaan.
The mother of the Irish gods and a special goddess of the Tuatha De Danaan,
the earliest people to conquer Ireland
She is the Celtic goddess of prosperity and plenty
The divine healer from Celtic mythology. Legend has it that he would sing a magic spell over a well
and when the mortally wounded and dead where bathed in the water they are brought back to life.
One of the most famous and important figures in Irish mythology.
He was the leader of the Fianna a band of warrior hero's that roamed Ireland
It is said the Finn is not dead but sleeping in a cave and will awaken when Ireland is in great peril
The three Irish craftsmen-gods. they provided Tuatha De Danaan with weapons.
A Celtic sea god and one of the Tuatha De Danaan.
A Celtic sun god and father of the hero Cu Chulainn.
He was a master craftsman and an expert warrior.
His expert skills with the spear and sling gave the Tuatha De Danaan victory over their enemies the Formorii.
When he was made King he spared the life of the Formorii leader,
in return he taught the Tuatha the secrets of farming
A legendary Welsh family who's adventures where collected together to form an epic series
of myths called the Mabinogion
The legendary Queen of Connacht. she is said to have been the wife of 9 Irish Kings
mainly due to the fact that only her partner could hold the throne.
One story tells how she was jealous of her husband who owned a great White Bull.
Medhbha decided she must have the equally magnificent Brown Bull of Cooley.
She sent her army to steel it, her army was defeated by Cu Chulainn she wanted revenge.
She taught the children of the dead warriors witchcraft.
They then made three magic spears, one of these was used to kill the hero Cu Chulainn.
A legendary King of Tuatha De Danaan.
Nuadhu led the Tuatha to victory over the Fir Bholg ( the first people of Ireland).
During the battle he lost an arm and was forced to give up the throne.
The new King Bres was cruel and the people recalled Nuadha.
Bres fled raised an army against Nuadhu. Nuadha with the help of Lugh led the Tuatha to a famous victory
The gods and people descended from the Celtic goddess Danaan.
The Tuatha had been banished from Heaven because they learned magic.
They decided to settle in Ireland and after two great battles,
the first against Fir Bholg, the first people of Ireland
The second battle was against Formorii. The Tuatha won both battles and dominated Ireland for many years.
until they were defeated and driven into the mountains by Sons of the Mil.
The most famous Tuatha King were Lugh and Nuadhu Airgedlamh.
For some lovely web graphics visit Eos just click the link above
for some lovely Celtic designs visit Aon just click the link above
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