| |
Celtic Dictionary
Annwn |
Annwn is a name for the Celtic Otherworld (Wales)
Avalon |
this is another term for the Otherworld; Avalon is also called "the summer land" (Wales)
banshee |
"women of the fairies"; these spirits are best known for their supernatural howl in Celtic mythology
Beltane |
Beltane is a festival that took place on 1 May; it is associated with fertility, and participants traditionally danced around fires (Ireland)
Excalibur |
the legendary enchanted sword used by King Arthur was known as Excalibur (Britain)
druid |
druids played many roles in Celtic society - they were believed to be both teachers and religious advisors
gorsedd |
a gorsedd is a term used to describe a gathering of bards
Grail |
also known as the "Holy Grail", this legendary vessel was the cup used during the Last Supper; the Quest for the Grail was an important element of the Arthurian Saga (Britain)
Imbolc |
the Celtic festival of Imbolc was held on 1 February; it is possibly meant to encourage an end to winter (Ireland)
Lughnasadh |
Lughnasadh is a festival celebrated 1 August; it was held in honor of the sun god Lugh and the harvest (Ireland)
Mabinogion |
the Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh tales (Wales)
mermaids |
female creatures who are described as half human and half fish; their male counterparts are known as mermen
nemeton |
nemeton is a word that means sanctuary
oak |
ancient evidence suggests that oak trees were sacred both to the druids and to other members of Celtic society
ogham |
this early form of writing is said to be inspired by Ogma, the Irish god of eloquence; the word is alternately spelled "ogam"
Round Table |
in Arthurian mythology, King Arthur's knights gathered at the legendary Round Table
Samhain |
Samhain is a festival held on 1 November; it marks the Celtic new year, and indicates a time when the Otherworld was accessible (Ireland)
sidhe |
a sidhe is a hill, and the Tuatha De Danaan were believed to dwell in hills in the guise of fairies or aes sidhe (Ireland)
slieve |
the word slieve means mountain (sliabh in Irish); in Celtic mythology, mountains were the homes of many gods and goddesses
t�in |
this is the word used to indicate a cattle raid in Irish mythology; some examples of a t�in are the T�in B� Cuailgne and the T�in B� Fraoch (Ireland)
Tara |
Tara was traditionally the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland
Related Information - More Celtic Mythology Names
|
| |
