BSC602 Horse Play

The early Celts were a people profoundly connected with the turning of the seasons, the natural world, and the creatures they encountered there. The beasts of the field and forests, the birds in the air and the fishes in the oceans and rivers were all significant to the Celts, not only in terms of basic survival, but also for their highly developed spiritual life and. It’s not surprising that the depiction of the nature became an intrinsic part of the complex designs of Celtic art. Celtic horses were sacred animals of high military, economic, and spiritual value in ancient Celtic society, and legends feature supernatural horses like Enbarr (Manannán mac Lir’s sea-and-land-crossing mare) and water-spirits like the Púca or Kelpie.The primary Celtic horse goddess was Epona , who was also an ancient Roman goddess, and was revered as a protector of fertility, agriculture, and a guide for souls to the afterlife. Her name was derived from the Gaulish word epos, which means "horse".She was protector of Equines: She guarded horses, foals, and stables, and people often placed small images of her in barns to keep livestock safe. Goddess of Fertility and Land: Sculptures often show her with a cornucopia or ears of grain, representing agricultural abundance and the earth's bounty. She was also believed to help guide human souls safely on their journey into the Afterlife.