Celts believed in the existence of life after death and worshiped nature spirits. They also believed in springs and had their weapons sacrificed. The Celtic calendar had thirteen months plus one extra day. Day began after sunset, while night began with darkness. The sun's decreasing strength was a concern in winter. This prompted early man to light winter fires to aid the sun's journey.
Celts believed there was life after death
Celtic belief in life after death was based on belief that the soul is still alive in the next universe. Some believe the soul returns to the figure of the ancestral ancestor. This belief is similar the Romans' belief about the underworld. Lucan used orbis to indicate an alternate reality. These ideas may be fiction or factual, but it's not clear.
Early Celts also believed in a life after death. They believed very little about ethics. They did not understand the concept of punishing the gods. Romans wrote extensively about Celtic beliefs and found at least 69 gods that were responsible for war. This suggests that for some, a life after death was desirable.
They worshipped nature spirits
Celtic people revered nature spirits, particularly those that were associated with fertility. They were proud of the production of crops and the health and well-being of their sheep and cattle. They believed in the nature spirits and many of their gods and goddesses were designed to look like animals. The Celts were blessed with good fortune and protection because their gods were made up of the elements.
Celtic religion also considered trees important. Celtics considered groves sacred and evidence exists that trees were worshipped in some parts of Ireland. Some places are even named after trees, such as Derry (meaning "oak-tree") and Kildare (Cill-Dara), which derives from a Celtic word for oak tree.
They gave up weapons
One of the most striking and unusual features of the Celtic religion is the fact that they sacrificed their weapons. Around 150 examples of ancient Celtic weapons have been found at archaeological sites all over the globe. The weapons were often made of bronze, and they were sacrificed to a god. The Romans destroyed these temples in 124 BCE, but they are not extinct.
The Celts were polytheistic, worshiping many gods or goddesses. Some were very specific to a certain region, while others were more universally known. People who gave up their lives were also favoured by the gods. Some were stronger than others. Lugus, for instance, was the sun's representative. Other goddesses were associated to rivers and healing springs. Some were associated with animals such as horses.
They believed springs were for them
Celts had a complicated belief system. They believed that all living organisms had sentience and a spirit. They saw the world in a multilayered, fascinating, and sometimes deadly theatre where both humans and animals lived and died. Scholars often refuted their beliefs and practices, so it is important to determine what they meant.
Celts were closely connected to the natural world, and they often saw omens within animal behavior. They valued the virtues and beauty of animals and associated spirits with them. Horses and stags were admired for their speed, endurance, beauty, and beauty. They also admired dogs and their keen smelling senses.
They worshipped effigies
Celts worshiped effigies to express their devotion to the gods. Some made large figures from sticks and filled them up with live men. These effigies were set on fire by other Celts as a tribute to Gods. Romans outlawed these practices.
Celts believed in supernatural beings including fairies. They believed the souls of the deceased were reincarnated and could pass from one body or another. This belief can be seen in Celtic mythology, which is about fairies.