Series on Celtic mythology

Celtic polytheism Celtic deities

Ancient Celtic religion

Druids · Bards · Vates British Iron Age religion Celtic religious patterns Gallo-Roman religion Romano-British religion

Brythonic mythology

Welsh mythology Breton mythology Mabinogion · Taliesin Cad Goddeu Trioedd Ynys Prydein Matter of Britain · King Arthur

Gaelic mythology

Irish mythology Scottish mythology Hebridean mythology Tuatha Dé Danann Mythological Cycle Ulster Cycle Fenian Cycle Immrama · Echtrae

See also

Celts · Gaul Galatia · Celtiberians Early history of Ireland Prehistoric Scotland Prehistoric Wales Index of related articles This box: view • talk •

The gods and goddesses, or deities of the Celts are known from a variety of sources, these include written Celtic mythology, ancient places of worship, statues, engravings, cult objects and place or personal names.

It should be understood that there are two main types of Celtic deities: general and local. General deities were known by Celts throughout large regions, and are the gods and goddesses they invoked for protection, healing, luck, honour and many other needs. The local deities were the spirits of a particular feature of the landscape (such as particular mountains, trees or rivers) and thus was generally only known by the locals in the surrounding areas.

After Celtic lands became Christianized, there were attempts by Christian writers to anthropomorphise (or make human) or even demonize the pre-Christian deities. For example, in Irish mythological sources, the Tuatha Dé Danann are commonly taken to represent a divine pantheon, but there is evidence of Christian attempts to discredit this.

Gaulish and Brythonic deities

The Gaulish Celts, or Gauls, inhabited the region roughly corresponding to that of modern France. The Brythonic Celts, or Britons, inhabited most of the island of Great Britain and later migrated to Brittany.

Male

Female

Welsh deities

The Welsh were the Britons that inhabited the area corresponding to modern Wales. After the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain, much of the Brythonic territories came under Anglo-Saxon influence. However, in the area of Wales, Brythonic Celtic religion was largely retained.

Male

Female

Irish deities

Main article: Tuatha Dé Danann

Male

Female

Scottish deities

These were the deities of the Gaelic Celts who migrated from Ireland to Scotland and formed the kingdom of Dál Riata. They are also known as the Scoti. It should be noted that much of Scotland was inhabited by the Picts before the Gaels arrived, but little is known of their religious beliefs.

External links

• The Welsh pantheon

v • d • e Topics in Celtic mythology   Creation Beira, Cailleach   Ancient Gaulish and Brythonic deities Abandinus, Abellio, Abnoba, Adsullata, Agrona, Alaunus, Alisanos, Ambisagrus, Ancamna, Andarta, Andraste, Anextiomarus, Arduinna, Artio, Arvernus, Aufaniae, Aveta, Belatu-Cadros, Belenus, Belisama, Borvo, Brigantia, Britannia, Buxenus, Camma, Camulus, Cernunnos, Cissonius, Clota, Cocidius, Condatis, Contrebis, Coventina, Damara, Damona, Dea Matrona, Dis Pater, Epona, Erecura, Esus, Fagus, Grannus, Hooded Spirits, Icaunus, Loucetios, Lugus, Luxovius, Maponos, Matres, Nantosuelta, Nemetona, Nemausus, Nodens, Ogmios, Robor, Rosmerta, Rudianos, Segomo, Senua, Sequana, Sirona, Smertrios, Sucellus, Suleviae, Sulis, Tamesis, Taranis, Toutatis, Verbeia, Vosegus   Irish mythological characters Abartach, Abhean, Aengus, Alastir, Ai, Aibell, Aimend, Áine, Airmed, Anann, Badb, Balor, Banba, Beag, Bébinn, Bé Chuille, Birog, Boann, Bodb Derg, Brea, Breg, Bres, Brigid, Bronach, Buarainech, Caer, Canola, Carman, Cenn Cruaich, Cessair, Cethlenn, Cian, Cliodhna, Corb, Creidhne, Crom Cruach, Cú Roí mac Daire, The Dagda, Danu, Donn, Dian Cecht, Elatha, Étaín, Ethniu, Ethne, Ériu, Fand, Fionnuala, Fódla, Goibniu, Lir, Luchtaine, Lugh, Macha, Manannán mac Lir, Miach, Midir, Mog Ruith, Morrígan, Neit, Nemain, Niamh, Nuada, Ogma, Plor na mBan, Sheela na Gig, Tailtiu, Tethra   Irish rulers and warriors Caílte, Conall Cernach, Conchobar, Conán mac Morna, Conn of the Hundred Battles, Cormac mac Airt, Cúchulainn, Cumhal, Deichtine, Deirdre, Diarmuid, Emer, Ferdiad, Fergus mac Róich, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Lugaid, Medb, Oisín, Oscar   Scottish mythological characters Bean Nighe, Beira, Cailleach, Crom Dubh, Deò-ghrèine, Glaistig, Inghean Bhuidhe, Lasair, Latiaran, Ossian, Scota, Seonaidh   Scottish rulers and warriors Aífe, Connla, Scáthach, Uathach   Welsh mythological characters Amaethon, Arawn, Arianrhod, King Arthur, Afallach, Beli Mawr, Blodeuwedd, Bran the Blessed, Branwen, Caswallawn, Ceridwen, Cigfa, Creiddylad, Culhwch, Cyhyraeth, Dewi, Dôn, Dwyn, Dylan Ail Don, Efnysien, Elen, Euroswydd, Gofannon, Gwydion, Gwyn ap Nudd, Hafgan, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, Llŷr, Lludd, Mabon, Manawydan, Math fab Mathonwy, Modron, Nisien, Ogyruan, Olwen, Penarddun, Pryderi, Pwyll, Rhiannon, Taliesin   Locations Annwn, Mag Mell, Sídhe, Tír na nÓg, Cnoc Áine, Cnoc Fírinne, Drom Asail   Weapons Claíomh Solais, Fragarach, Gáe Bulg, Spear Lúin   Festivals Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh

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