Celtic pagan deities refer to the gods and goddesses worshipped by the ancient Celtic peoples. The Celts, who lived predominantly in areas of Europe such as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of France and Spain, had a rich and diverse mythology that revolved around the natural world and the cycles of life and death. One of the most widely known Celtic deities is the goddess Brigid. She was associated with many aspects of life including fertility, poetry, healing, and smithcraft. Brigid was seen as a triple deity, representing the three stages of womanhood: maiden, mother, and crone. Another prominent Celtic deity is Lugh, who was associated with skills and craftsmanship, as well as the sun and harvest.
And talking of depictions, most of the dedicatory inscriptions to Epona (found by archaeologists) were made in Latin (as opposed to Celtic), thus suggesting her popularity in the Roman world.
And talking of depictions, most of the dedicatory inscriptions to Epona found by archaeologists were made in Latin as opposed to Celtic , thus suggesting her popularity in the Roman world. However, Ogmios does one better on the bling factor by having long chains made of amber and gold attached to his tongue inside his smiling mouth that connect him with his group of followers.
Another prominent Celtic deity is Lugh, who was associated with skills and craftsmanship, as well as the sun and harvest. Lugh was considered a hero and a warrior, and he played a central role in many Celtic myths and sagas. The god Cernunnos was also revered by the Celts, particularly in Gaul (modern-day France).
Top gods and goddesses from Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology offers a rich history into the origins of an Ireland long ago, with fascinating details and surprising associations. We talk a look at the best Celtic mythology God and Goddesses.
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Here are some of these Irish gods explained.
Morrigan - goddess of war
Morrigan is known as the goddess of war, with her name loosely interpreted to mean “Great Queen,” “Phantom Queen” or “Queen of Demons.” She was believed to hover over a battlefield in the form of either a crow or a raven, and supposedly influenced or predicted the outcome of the battle. She appeared to Dagda on the feast of Samhain, had sex with him, and promised to aid him in the upcoming battle. With her aid, Dagda was victorious in his battle.
However, the Celtic god Cú Chulainn did not recognize the power of Morrigan when she appeared to him as a beautiful maiden and offered her love to him. When Cú Chulainn died in battle, a crow manifestation of Morrigan settled on his shoulder.
Aonghus - God of love and youth
Aonghus, also known as Angus, Aengus, or Oengus of the Bruig, is believed to be the god of love and youth. He is associated with the valley of the River Boyne.
His story is that he searched all of Ireland for a beautiful maiden. Aonghus eventually found Caer, who was with 150 other maidens destined to turn into swans on November 1, the feast of Samhain. Aonghus transformed himself into a swan so he could be united with Caer, who followed him back to his palace on the River Boyne, now modern-day Newgrange.
Danu - Matriarch of Power
Danu is best known for being the matriarch of the powerful Irish god family Tuatha Dé Danann (People of the Goddess Danu). Some point to Dagda as her father.
Dagda - " The Good God"
Dagda is known as ‘The Good God.’ He is portrayed as having both super-human strength and appetite. Dagda is paired with goddesses Morrigan and Boann, and is the father of Brigit and Aengus Mac Oc. His attributions were a large club that had the dual power of killing men, as well as bringing them back to life, a set of two pigs – one roasting and one growing, a harp used to summon the seasons, and a great cauldron that provided an endless source of food.
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Cú Chulainn - "The Hound of Ulster"
Cú Chulainn was known as the ‘Hound of Ulster.’ Originally named Setanta, he gained the name Cú Chulainn after having killed the guard dog of Cullan the Smith. He’s remembered as the “tough guy” of many adventures and thought he could outplay mortality. When the goddess Morrigan offered him immortality, he rejected her offer believing that it shouldn’t be a gift bestowed. Thus, Cú Chulainn was visited by the crow version of Morrigan upon his death.
Brigit - Fire of Inspiration, Hearth, and Forge
Now remembered in Christianity as St. Brigit or St. Bride, Brigit has several associations. She is trifold, with her powers being Fire of Inspiration, Fire of Hearth, and Fire of the Forge. Her festival on February 1 is Imbolc, where she ushers in springtime.
Cernunnos - " the horned one"
Meaning ‘the horned one,’ Cernunnos is a Celtic horned god who is connected to fertility, wealth, and wild animals. He is depicted as having the antlers of a stag, most notably on the famous Gundestrup cauldron in Denmark. Paleolithic cave paintings found in France depict a figure with antlers, believed to be Cernunnos, which places his origin in that era.
Arawn - G od of the underworld
Arawn is the Celtic god of the underworld of the dead. His most famous tale involves him switching places with Pwyll for a year and a day to challenge Hafgan, Arawn’s rival for ownership of the underworld. During the time they were switched, Pwyll defeated Hafgan and was rewarded with pigs.
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Abandinus - " Defender of the Waters"
Known as ‘Defender of the Waters,’ not much is known of the Celtic god Abandinus, save for an inscription on a bronze votive found in Cambridgeshire, England which read “To the god Abandinus, Vatiaucus gave this from his own money.”
Tuatha Dé Danann - a family of Irish gods
Tuatha Dé Danann is the main family of Irish gods whose name means ‘Children of the Goddess Danu.’ Danu was their chief goddess and matriarch, but not their actual mother. This group of gods was known to have perfected their use of magic. Having originated on “the islands in the west,” they eventually settled in Ireland. The most important members of the family of Irish gods are Boann, Brigit, Danu, Daga, Dian Cecht, Gobniu, Lug, Macha, and Nuada.
* Originally published in 2011, updated in December 2021.
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The heroic act achieved by a precise slingshot into Balor’s eye heralded the ascendance of the Tuatha Dé Danann as the dominant tribe of gods in Ireland (over the Formorii, who were portrayed with darker characteristics). Interestingly enough, in spite of being the champion of the Tuath Dé, in the narrative sense, Lugh himself descended from the one-eyed (or one-limbed) Formorii, with Balor being his maternal grandfather.
Cernunnos was often depicted as a horned god, associated with fertility, animals, and the wild. He was often portrayed sitting cross-legged and holding torcs, a symbol of power and wealth. Celtic mythology also featured many local and regional gods and goddesses associated with specific places or natural phenomena. For example, the god Sucellus was worshipped in Gaul as a god of agriculture and wine, while the goddess Morrigan was associated with battle and war. The Celts believed that their gods and goddesses interacted with the mortal world and played a role in everyday life. They would make offerings and sacrifices to these deities in the form of food, drink, and material goods. Rituals and ceremonies were conducted to honor these deities and seek their blessings. With the arrival of Christianity in the Celtic regions, the worship of these pagan deities gradually declined and was replaced by Christian beliefs. Nevertheless, the legends and stories of the Celtic gods and goddesses have continued to fascinate and inspire people to this day, as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Celts..
Reviews for "The Archetypes and Traits of Celtic Pagan Deities"
1. John - 2 stars - I found the book "Celtic pagan deities" quite disappointing. The information provided was limited and lacking depth. It felt more like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive guide. Additionally, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. I was hoping to learn more about the Celtic pagan deities in an engaging and informative manner, but this book failed to deliver.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot recommend "Celtic pagan deities" to anyone interested in this subject. The book is poorly organized, with chapters that seem to jump from one topic to another without any clear structure. It made it challenging to follow the information coherently. Furthermore, I was hoping for more insight into the mythology and beliefs surrounding Celtic pagan deities, but the book mostly provided surface-level information that I could have easily found online. Overall, it was a lackluster read and a missed opportunity to explore this fascinating topic in-depth.
3. Michael - 2 stars - As someone who has a keen interest in Celtic history and mythology, I was disappointed by "Celtic pagan deities." While it did touch on various deities worshipped by the Celts, the book failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of their significance and the cultural context surrounding them. It left me wanting more, and I wish there had been more depth and analysis rather than just a list of deities and brief descriptions. I would recommend looking for other books or sources if you're seeking a more thorough exploration of Celtic pagan deities.
4. Laura - 3 stars - Although "Celtic pagan deities" offers basic information about various Celtic gods and goddesses, it falls short in terms of its level of research and analysis. The author seems to rely heavily on popularized images and myths without delving into more scholarly interpretations. While it may be a suitable starting point for beginners, I would have appreciated a more academic approach. It feels like a missed opportunity to provide a well-rounded understanding of Celtic pagan deities.