Abstract This paper examines and describes the traditional symbols and motifs of Celtic Art and discusses how they were so important in Celtic societies that they survived the conversion to Christianity. These Celtic symbols and motifs can also be found in early Christian Art. This paper also includes illustrations of various Celtic artwork.
From the Paper "Often in illuminated manuscripts one finds a Celtic characteristic of placing red dots around initials that reminiscent of the stippling on metalwork . And a textual tradition that is popular even today, known as diminuendo, in which the first letter of a text is large and the rest diminish in size. Illuminated manuscripts kept not only imagery of the Celts but the superstitions in some cases as well. Many illuminated manuscripts were thought to have special powers, and were often used for "talismanic purposes " including healing and hope for victory in battles. Thus the societies of the Celts and Christians were not only blended in art but in religion and culture as well. Keeping their superstitions and respect for nature, the Celts adopted certain aspects and rituals of Christianity. And Christianity in return adopted many Celtic customs and beliefs."
Tags: art history, celtic art, christian art, symbols motifs gospel
Abstract This paper examines how the Celtic culture is one of Europe's oldest, surviving for thousands of years through several foreign invasions and through settlement in some of Europe's most inhospitable regions. It looks at how even today, Celtic culture thrives in pockets of Wales, Scotland and Ireland, where people continue to speak Celtic-based languages such as Gaelic and Welsh, and honor the free-spirited warrior history of the Celts. Because of the longevity of the Celtic culture, this paper attempts to determine whether it can be considered the most influential culture in European history.
Outline:
The Influence of the Celts
Arguments Against the Celts
The Celts Were not Europe's Most Influential Culture
From the Paper "There is an argument to be made that the Celts are one of the most resilient cultures in European history. Celtic history stretches back as far as 1,200 B.C., and the Celts, who were essentially a group of loosely affiliated tribes who spoke similar languages and practiced similar customs, once saw their territory stretch from the rocky Atlantic cliffs of Ireland and England to the Black Sea in Eastern Europe (O'Neill). It was a territory one might more readily associate with the Roman Empire, which certainly had a significant influence over European history and development. "
Questions whether we are in danger of explaining "inexplicable" elements in the Grail legend too quickly, with references to a nebulous 'Celtic paganism'.
Abstract Celtic paganism is often used to explain "inexplicable" elements in the Grail legend. However, other explanations are also possible. The paper demonstrates this by showing how some "inexplicable" facets of the Grail legend that are usually ascribed to Celtic paganism may have their origin elsewhere, including in Christianity, secular symbolism, Bede's "Life of Saint Cuthbert" and the Lives of St. Kentigern," and/or medieval history and geography. It also examines whether the historical, geographical and hagiographical sources were used consciously or unconsciously. The paper concludes that, when faced with "inexplicable" elements in a Grail legend, scholars are often too quick to find connections, often very tenuous ones, to Celtic paganism.
From the Paper "How are these narratives connected chronologically? And are the similarities deliberate? In their opening plot, these romantic and hagiographical stories are almost perfect Campbellian hero quests, so I think there may have been some pre-existing correlation between the early or oral versions of Peredur and the hagiographies. Yet the details of the Romances are so much like the saints' lives that I believe there is clearly some deliberate imitation. I will now attempt to untangle the way in which these books influenced on another. Bede's Life is based on the anonymous Life, which comes from the tradition that developed in Lindesfarne during or soon after Cuthbert's life. Bede wrote the Prose Life at the end of the 7th century and it influenced the writers of the Lives of Kentigern. The two Lives of Saint Kentigern were compiled in the 12th century, and the author of the fragmentary Life mentions his familiarity with the story of Cuthbert."
Abstract This paper explains that, at the height of their domination in Europe, the Celtics, who were a warrior race in the 9th century B.C.E. that started on the island of Ireland, spread their religion across the British Isles to Turkey; however, they finally were conquered by the Romans and the Germanic tribes. The author points out that Druidism was passed down through an oral tradition typically kept by the bards and the ancient Druids; much of the Druids traditions are still kept because they were later recorded in medieval manuscripts and in oral tradition, folk lore and ritual. The paper concludes that, in the modern world, the Druids are still strong as a cultural fascination and several religious groups have been formed such as the British Druid Order and the Reformed Druids of North America.
Table of Contents
Celtic Paganism: A History
Celtic Traditions and Religions
Druidism and their Different Occupations
Influence of Christianity of the Druids
The Religious Beliefs of the Druids
Devices Used by the Druids
Druid Celebrations and Seasonal Celebrations
The Modern Druidic Movement
From the Paper "The Druids are known for having many celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year. Some of these celebrations are religious others commemorate special events within their history. The Druids celebrate a series of fire-festivals on the first of each of four months. These festivals would start at sunset and last for three days. When these ceremonies start, great bonfires are built on the hilltops and cattle would be driven between the two great bonfires to assure them fertility. Couples hoping to be married would jump over the bonfire and run between them to encourage fertility as well. These festivities all have special significance within the culture of the Druids. The first is the Samhain, which means the end of the warm season. It takes place on November 1st which marks the combined feast of the dead and the new years day celebration on the Celtic calendar. This is the time when the veil between our reality and the reality of the otherworld can be easily penetrated. Thus, communication with those who have past beyond the veil is possible and many ceremonies attempt to communicate with the dead during this festival. Later the Christians would adopt the fire festival as the All Soul's Eve, and later it would become the secular holiday Halloween."
Abstract This paper discusses the history of Celtic music and its migration to the Appalachian region of North America. The author points out the cultural memory embedded in the Celtic tradition. The paper examines the impact of Celtic music on musical styles of the modern period.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine connections between Celtic music, which originated in Britain, chiefly Scotland and Ireland, and which migrated to the U.S., chiefly to the Appalachian region of North America and the intergenerational aspects of musical heritage with reference to the human-development theories of Erik Erikson. The plan of the research will be to set forth a history of Celtic music from its origins in Britain and the history of migration of the music to the U.S. and then discuss the resonance that such music ..."
Tags:Celtic, Music, Appalachian, music, American, music
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Druids who existed during the Anglo Saxon period when Britain was inhabited by a group of people called the Celts. The paper explains that the Celtic tribes were headed by a king and were divided by class into Druids, warrior nobles and commoners. The paper also tells us that the Druids were the priests and ministers of religion and that the Druids had an abundance of power and were highly respected by society. The paper discusses who the Druids were, what were their duties and functions and their beliefs. According to the paper, the Druids were contributors to the weakness of the Celtic society and their eventual downfall.
From the Paper "During a period of time known as the Anglo-Saxon period, Britain was inhabited by a group of people known as the Celts. Common speech, customs, and religion united the various Celtic tribes. Each tribe was headed by a king and was divided by class into Druids, warrior nobles, and commoners. The Druids were priests and ministers of religion. The Druids had an abundance of power and were held in high respect by the Celtic society, often-taking precedence even of the kings. The Druids even supervised all public and private disputes, issuing punishments and rewards. The influence of the Druids had a great cultural impact upon Celtic society."
Abstract This paper briefly addresses the similarities of the Breton, Cornish, and Welsh cultures in the areas of language and myths, particularly the dominance of the sea in these cultures' mythologies. They are all Celtic cultures, which makes it easier to draw parallels, particularly as regards linguistic similarities.
Abstract The Australian Celtic Festival is analyzed from a semiotic framework in this paper, including a number of signs and signifiers evident during the event. The paper provides a semiotic view of culture and details the dance, music and dress.
From the Paper "Semiotics is the study of signs or a sign system. Semiotic techniques enables the analogy of language as a system to be extended to culture as a whole. Semiotics permits a unifying conceptual framework that encompasses the whole range of signifying practices including gesture, posture, dress, writing, music, speech, photography, film, television and radio. The Australian Celtic Festival offers a unique opportunity to apply semiotic techniques to gain a broader understanding of Celtic representation..."
Abstract This paper examines how "The Book of Kells is" arguably the most recognized and most remarkable artifact of medieval Celtic art. It looks at how it features page after page of colorful lettering, illumination, decoration, and illustration unique to Celtic art tradition and how, to a large extent, the great reputation that Celtic art and design have today is based on the exceptional quality of the images found in the book.
From the Paper "It is widely accepted that the scribes and artists who created the Book were Columban monks who lived in monastery on the remote island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. The monastery was founded late in the sixth century by an Irish monk, St Colm Cille. At the time the book was produced, Irish monks were renowned throughout the rest of Europe for their work as scribes and illustrators. Their designs were often made on thin pieces of bone or stone, which are more commonly found in Ireland than in Britain. These designs were a true indication of how the missionaries incorporated the art of the pagan world into the teachings of the Christian Church by adopting many of their symbols and patterns and making them an important part of the Christian ceremonies and manuscripts."
Abstract This in-depth paper details the rituals, literature, importance of mythology and rich history surrounding the ancient Celtic nature worshipping religion of Wicca (witchcraft). The Celts were pantheistic, meaning they saw the spirit world in all things and believed herbs, trees, animals and rocks represented different aspects of their gods and goddesses. A common Wiccan belief is that all gods are one God, all goddesses are one Goddess and both are united. This paper compares Wicca to Catholicism and explains which Celtic holidays and traditions were adopted by the Catholic church, albeit many of the reasons for this have since been forgotten. This paper discusses how Pagan followers are once again using the ancient Wiccan holidays and rituals as a means to renew their connection to the Mother Goddess in all Her forms, in a religion which views all things equally.
Table of Contents:
Patterns of Ritual
The Metaphor
The Sacrificial God
The Twin Gods
The Sabbats
Yule
Vernal Equinox
References
From the Paper "Most Wiccans also follow the eight sabbats of the year. These are the Wiccan holidays, marking the points of the greatest solar and lunar energy. The four greater sabbats mark the lunar peaks while the four lesser sabbats mark the solar peaks. During these festivals, sacred rites, blessings and divinations were performed. The sacred rites included fertility rites, engagements and marriages (trial marriages and handfastings), rites of passage and simulated deaths. Magical items and altars were blessed, as well as people, animals, homes, cities, fields and seeds. Divinations were done through scryes (reflective objects), fire, water or visions (dreams and meditations). Each holiday had its specific rites, blessing and divinations. Today, Wiccans still adhere to the specific ideas of the ancient holidays."
From the Paper "A visitor to the ancient site of Stonehenge in southern England at sunrise on June 21st, would find a number of people, both men and women, dressed in white robes performing ceremonies among the massive stones. The visitor might be told that these folk were Druids. A question would then emerge, "Who are these people, and are they in their rightful place"? The answer is not a simple one. It involves ancient manuscripts such as those written by Julius Caesar or the Roman General Tacitus, and literary sources in classical and Celtic languages, as well as the history of ideas and folklore, artistic fashions, and popular myth from the last few centuries. Druids have achieved a historical heritage for the average person as lofty as the Magna Carta has. The more knowledgeable may remember that the Greeks and Romans wrote about them; the less critical may accept the unbroken survival of the priesthood through today."
Abstract The paper discusses Druids in Celtic times and mentions the recent revival of Druidism in Britain. Information was gathered from ancient literature in which Druids have made frequent appearances.
Table of Contents
How Druids Legend have Survived
Who Were the Druids
Why Druids Emerged
Worship Method: Stone Circles
Culture and Festivals of Druids
Druids Today
From the Paper "Mysteries and legends may appear to many as fabricated stories that made their appearance from time to time for the purpose of sheer entertainment. Hence, they feel that these mysteries do not hold much attraction except for providing man with temporary entertainment and mostly are forgotten by both the storyteller and his audience the moment the gathering comes to an end. But why have some legends managed to withstand the test of time? "
Abstract This paper discusses that scholars believe that Arthur is a weave of Celtic kings from history and the stories associated with them that began in the Fifth Century and become immortalized through literature by authors such as Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chretien, Malory and Tennyson. The paper reviews many of the characters from the Arthur legend that have been popularized through countless works of literature, plays, poems, books, movies and art created by artists during every era of history.
From the Paper "The quest for the Holy Grail is said to have begun when the Green Knight arrived at Camelot and issued the challenge. According to the code of Camelot, a knight must not refuse a challenge made to him and must follow it through to the end. Arthur's long reign was marred by the illicit love of Guinevere and Lancelot, and his later years were marked by ?conflicts which culminated in the disastrous battle on Salisbury Plain, when Arthur was mortally wounded by his bastard son Mordred.?
Abstract This paper explores the roots of Wiccan music. The paper looks at the different types of instruments used and how the music moves participants into meditative states. Wiccan music comes in many forms and uses a variety of traditional instruments and incantations to create themes and messages. The paper begins by defining what Wiccan music is and explains Wiccan music can include new age, Celtic, gothic and even electronic.
From the Paper "Basically, any type of music attempts to recreate the sounds that we hear in nature, like tones, the sound of birds, wind, and water. We often use instruments to imitate the sounds we have heard. Wiccan music is steeped in nature as is the religion itself. Because Wiccan music also involves rituals, drums are widely used and traditionally have been associated with inducing trances or a calming state in individuals."
Abstract This paper shows how Loreena McKennitt's contribution to music extends far beyond the realm of music. By understanding her music, the writer explains that we come to understand her culture, literature, faith, and hope. Her influence has also ushered a new interest in Celtic music across the world. Her unique skill of storytelling and her incredible flexibility as an instrumentalist remain unmatched.
From the Paper "Her sixth release, The Book of Secrets, is another personal journey. She traveled through Russia, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, taking notes and soaking in her experiences with the landscape and the people she encountered. In fact, according to Jennings, McKennitt often pictures herself as a travel writer, expressing her thoughts and emotions. She does what some of favorite writers, such as Paul Theroux, Bruce Chatwin and Jan Morris do with prose, he notes. Of her music, she explains, "What I"m really doing is making up for my lack of formal education after high school. I have this insatiable curiosity and I"ve found a way through travel and music to feed it" (Jennings 1994). Of all of her releases, this fact is the most evident."
