The Celts revered every aspect of the natural world and considered each part capable of being an ally, guide and teacher. The Celts were able to draw inspiration, direction and assistance from each realm and each part was infused with spiritual life and meaning. Animals in particular were revered for their qualities and were seen as sacred to the goddesses and gods of the Celtic pantheon.

A number of tribes or clans were reported to be descended from animals, such as the "cat-people' in Scotland and the "wolf-tribes" and "dog-heads" in Ireland. Some families were also said to have animal ancestry. The seal, for example, was the original ancestor of at least six families in Scotland and Ireland. Most tribes had their totem animals, clearly shown in their names, such as the Caerini and Lugi in Sutherland (People of the Sheep and People of the Raven), the Epidii of Kintyre (Horse People), the Tochrad (Boar People), Taurisci (Bull Folk), and Brannovices (Raven Folk). Families too had totem animals, carried either in their name, their crest or their family tradition.

The Celts loved and respected animals so much they chose to be buried with them, to have them as guides and companions in the Otherworld. They wore their bones and teeth as charms. They used their skins for clothing and bedding, for their shields, drums and bagpipes. They accepted their hide, horn, hoof and meat as gifts and made use of every part of the animal. When they hunted they asked the Goddess for permission before they dared to take the life of any creature. The hunt itself was considered sacred and a number of taboos surrounded it to protect both hunter and the hunted.

The importance of animals in the religious life of the Celts can be seen in the eight great festivals of the year. Four of them, known as the Fire Festivals, are particularly related to the pastoral life of animal rearing and agriculture and have been observed for at least the past 5000 years. Central to the world-view of the Celts is the belief that the material world in which they lived was only one level or plane of existence. Behind or beyond this world lay the Otherworld, the world of powers and potencies, of spirits and forces which could guide and help them. Animals in particular were revered for their ability to bridge the gap between these two worlds. They acted as messengers and guides, and as they possessed a spirit-form as well as a physical form they acted as guardians and protectors even when they were not physically present.

"The Three Elders of the World : the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd, the Eagle of Gwernabwy and the Blackbird of Celli Gadarn"
Celtic Legend

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