Celtic Symbols Warrior

The Painted People
Celtic tribes are known for two predominant characteristics, the first was the practice of painting or tattooing their bodies before they went to war.  The name "The Painted People" derives from the Latin work ‘Pictus” and also from the ancient Greeks who called them the “Pritanni” while the Gaelic Celts knew them by the word “Cruithinii”.  Both the Greek and Gaelic words mean “People of the Designs”.

These incredibly brave and fearless warriors painted their bodies and faces with a material called woad. This turned their skin a terrifying shade of bluish-green, a color believed to be sacred to the Gods.

Each symbol or picture they chose and which included ferocious animals and strange mythical creatures was done for a purpose as these symbols had their own special meanings. They also selected symbols which they hoped would provide them with protection during the battle.

Symbols were enormously important to the Ancient Celts, especially animal symbols because they relied so completely on them for food, tools and clothing, but apart from that,the animals symbolized fertility and vitality, strength, valor and courage.  Animals were believed to be connected to the world of the Gods too and for this reason the Ancient Celts awarded them symbolic powers.

Celtic Animals

Horse
The horse is a common symbol often represented on warrior bodies during war.  Horses were associated with victory in war, possibly because their use in war afforded them with an advantage.  The Celtic horse-goddess is named Epona which stems from the Gaul word for horse.

Bull
The bull carries with it the symbol for physical and mental strength, something badly needed during the long hours, days and weeks of battle.  The bull also represented virility and sexual endurance as well as wealth, and abundance.  The Celts often went to war in order to take lands and assets away from their enemies.

Boar
The wild boar so well known to most and which is associated with Ancient Gauls represented fearlessness and strength, much the same as the bull. The Celts knew that the wild boar was no easy prey and that it was courageous, fierce and very difficult to kill.  This animal commanded the respect of its hunters and Celtic warriors used this symbol in the hope of emulating this beast’s attributes on the battlefield.  When depicted it was large and had spiky bristles which was meant to suggest to their enemies that the spirit of the wild boar resided in the warrior, in fact Celtic myths put much emphasis on wild boar’s bristles.

Stag
 Perhaps one of the most famous Celtic war symbols is the Stag.  Associated with the magnificent beast is the horned God of all wild animals called Cernunnos.  This animal is symbolic with hunting and was used in war paint in order to depict the presence of heroes in the spirit world.

Ravens and Eagles were depicted as symbols of freedom and transcendence or going beyond.  They were attributed the power of soaring above earth to bring messages back from the Gods and were considered mediators between the warriors and the heavenly world.

Dragon
Perhaps one the most quintessential of all war symbols is the dragon, the most powerful of all Celtic animal symbols.  The dragon represented the whole of creation, but more importantly the ferocious myths attributed to fire breathing dragons were meant to instil fear in the enemy.  

Griffins may have been represented too more for their fearsome looks than what they symbolized. These creatures were depicted as having the head, talons and wings of an eagle while having the body and tail of a lion.

Other Symbols
Historians depict the Celts as visually intimidating before battle, painted in ferocious blue symbols and shaking their long hair, shrieking battle cries and bragging about their prowess.  Generally showing contempt and disregard for their own lives.  Apart from decorating their bodies in symbols depicting animals they also used other items, such as arrows.    Celtic arrows (as shown above) symbolized virility and power as well as brotherhood, but not brotherhood as we know it but more in the sense of being “brothers of the arrow”. The piercing power of the arrow also signified the power of the sun.