What Is the Meaning of the Celtic Sun?

The pagan Celts revered the sun as an extremely powerful symbol, associated with healing, fertility and a source of life. In the days of ancient Britain, where the weather was harsh and survival was far from guaranteed, its warmth and light was a source of inspiration.

History

Celtic mythology was not unified, so the sun was attached to different gods and served different purposes, depending upon the locale. With the development of Christianity, the sun's powers slowly became integrated into the notion of a Christian god.

Features

The sun is most associated with heat and medicine in Celtic mythology. Some sects also associated it with fertility, ascribing it to their various mother goddesses.

Significance

Because the sun helped govern the natural world, Celts would often connect it to an annual calendar. Celtic sun wheels--worn pieces of jewelry or similar symbols--had spokes marking the solstices and equinoxes.

Famous Ties

Julius Caesar and other Romans wrote about human sacrifices to the sun, in which men were placed in wicker figures and burned. Evidence suggests such practices took place, although animal sacrifices were more common, and human victims were likely either condemned criminals or prisoners of war.

Fun Fact

The Celts celebrated the sun every year on May 1, just in time for the rebirth of spring. They lit ceremonial fires on that day and herded their livestock between them in a gesture of purification.

References

• World of Myths, Volume 1; Marina Warner; 2003
• Celtic Mythology: Belenus
• Listphile: Sun Wheel

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish