Celtic Mythology and Folklore - 1235 Words

Many people today can associate with the classic tale of leprechauns and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. This tale is a recurring myth within the realm of Celtic mythology. Celtic mythology was an integral part of ancient history throughout the British Isles especially Ireland. Authors of this magnificent form of literature have created stories that were based on the events of that time period and their works have transcended to future generations up until today. Overall, Celtic mythology and folklore has had a magnanimous impact on the world in lending itself for priceless amusable, educational, and historical excellence. Celtic mythology is the mythological literature from approximately the fourth century B.C. extending to approximately the early third century as Christianity was spreading and more of Celts were converting to Christianity. After converting, the Celts dropped all traces of their former religion to be found by subsequent inhabitants of their lands. First the s tories and tales were told by oral tradition and later written down by bards, poets, and monks. This literature could be found across Ireland, Wales, Scotland, bits of England, and smatterings of Europe [insert citation from godchecker.com]. Generally speaking the ancient Celtic religion like many other societies and civilizations at that time was polythestic as well as animistic with various gods and deities dedicated to the various parts of the natural world. Over the colossallyShow MoreRelatedIreland: The Invention of Tradition1063 Words   |  5 Pagespeople or symbols that reinforce the image required to focus people’s conception of the past. People can be encouraged to invent a cohesive view of their shared ‘traditions’ by what could be called cherry picking bits of history. The ancient mythology of Ireland is one of its’ greatest assets. The glorious, poetic tales of battles, super humans, demigods and heroes ranks among the best of ancient literature. The book of the Dun Cow, (Lebor na huidre), was written around 1100 and contains storiesRead MoreYeats And The Irish Literary Revival889 Words   |  4 PagesW.B. Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival The Irish Literary Revival, or Celtic Revival, began in the late nineteenth century and lasted throughout the early twentieth century. The term refers to a renewal of Irish national identity, which the British had tried to repress. This time in Irish cultural history spawned a plethora of talented authors who chose to champion this Irish national identity, including William Butler Yeats. Some other authors who were popular during that time includes SyngeRead MoreThe Dragon As A Symbol Of Strength, Power, And Good Luck2101 Words   |  9 Pagesstories of their beginnings and histories, their own mythologies. In these mythologies there are stories of creations, destruction’s, Gods, Goddesses, heroes, villains, features, and creatures. That last category being one that enraptures them all. The tales of mythological creatures are ones that have captivated the masses since the beginning. Children are told stories of the wonderful, and sometimes fearsome, creatures that dominate th e world of mythology. Of all those many creatures, one of the creaturesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet 1465 Words   |  6 Pagesmessage of reflection would take hold in the 19th-century as the primary purpose for theatre and evoke a modernization within theatre that insisted it be a reflection of reality. During the 1890s, two strategies developed in an effort to restore the Celtic heritage in Ireland, the Irish Literary Movement and the Neo- Gaelic revival. It is for this reason that an Irish Literary Renaissance began spreading through Ireland. This renaissance was influenced by an increase in the national interest for GaelicRead MoreEssay on Winter Solstice1411 Words   |  6 Pagesshare with others, those blessings that we have so graciously been given through kind and thoughtful acts of charity. Dancing through five thousand years of human history, these themes enfold this season in a rich, layered collage of celebrations, folklore and tradition. The mythological creation story recorded in the Pentateuch of the Judeo-Christian Scripture begins that imagery of light: When the Spirit of Life began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and thereRead MoreEssay on Heroes of Celtic and Germanic Mythology3702 Words   |  15 PagesHeroes of Celtic and Germanic Mythology Throughout the myths of the Celtic and Germanic peoples of northern Europe tales of epic heroes and their extraordinary deeds abound. These tales depict heroes performing a variety of incredible feats; many of which appear to be magical, superhuman, and, quite honestly, utterly impossible (e.g., wading across oceans, defeating armies virtually single-handedly, and other astounding exploits). Since the Celtic and Germanic tribes of antiquity inhabitedRead MoreAnalysis and Discussion of the Representation of Women in the Welsh Novel of The Mabinogion1712 Words   |  7 Pagesespecially important in the first and third branches of The Mabinogion is that of Rhiannon. Rhiannon is a classic character throughout Medieval Welsh literature and is prominent figure throughout The Mabinogion. The name Rhiannon derives from the old Celtic name of Rigantona meaning great Queen (Campbell and Campbell: 2013). The name has also been said to resemble the Irish Elysium goddesses (MacCulloch 2005: pa ra 101). This suggests that before we are introduced to Rhiannon that she will dominatingRead MoreThe Grail Quest in the Play At the Hawk ´S Well by W.B.Yeats1828 Words   |  8 PagesChretiens romance Le Conte du Graal I shall show the way the both authors concern this subject. First, I shall give the historical background of the play and explain the symbolic importance of Cuchulain for Yeats. Second, I shall find and interpret the Celtic symbols in the play, and finally, I shall draw a parallel between the play At the Hawks Well and the romance Le Conte du Graal. The play At the Hawks Well was written one year after the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin, in which 2,000 Irish soldiersRead MoreEssay The Life and Work of William Butler Yeats2147 Words   |  9 Pagesstimulation in his fathers reading, often aloud. Through this and his own personal initiative, ...Yeats discovered Shakespeare, the Romantic poets, and the Pre-Raphaelites, explored popular works on Eastern mysticism, became interested in Irish myths and folklore, and perhaps most important, met the poets and intellectuals of the Irish Literary Revival, many of whom were to remain lifelong friends (Magill, 1957). Yeats soon discovered that his first love was poetry not painting. Soon began Yeatss love affairRead More The Poetry of W.B. Yeats Essay examples2304 Words   |  10 Pagesalso Celtic legend, he sought to re-ignite in Ireland notions of heritage and tradition, which had diminished through the years. In Ireland, from around 1890 onwards, there was a very noticeable return to all things Irish, including a re-introduction of the Gaelic language, through the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language, and the formation of a highly nationalist community in Ireland. Alongside these practical returns to Celtic origins, ...there was a feeling that myth, folklore, a