The Celts worshipped nature spirits and believed in life after death. They also worshiped springs and sacrificed weapons. The Celtic calendar was thirteen months long and added one day to the new year. During this period, day began at sunset and night came with darkness. Worries were heightened by the sun's weakening strength in winter. This was why early men began to light winter fires as a way to help the sun on its journey.
Celts believed that there would be a new life after death
The Celtic belief in a life after death is based on the belief that the soul continues on in the next world. Some believe the soul can return to the figure or ancestor of its ancestral lineage. This is similar to the belief of the Romans in the underworld. Lucan used orbis to indicate an alternate reality. However, it is not clear whether these ideas are based on fact or fiction.
The existence of a life beyond death was also believed to be a belief of the Early Celts. They believed very little about ethics. They also had little idea of punishment by the gods. Romans wrote about Celtic beliefs and discovered 69 gods responsible for war. This suggests that a life after death was a desirable thing for some people.
They worshipped the nature spirits
Celtic people revered nature spirits, particularly those that were associated with fertility. Crops that produce crops year after year were important to them, as well as healthy sheep and cattle. Their faith in nature spirits was expressed in their religion. Many Celtic gods, goddesses, and deities were shaped like animals. They were the protectors and good luck of the Celts and embodied the elements.
Celtic religion was also influenced by trees. Celtics considered groves sacred and evidence exists that trees were worshipped in some parts of Ireland. Some places have been named after trees such as Derry, which means "oak-tree") or Kildare (Cill Dara), which comes from a Celtic word that means oak tree.
They gave their weapons up
One of the most striking and unusual features of the Celtic religion is the fact that they sacrificed their weapons. It is estimated that there are approximately 150 examples of Celtic weapons in archaeological sites throughout the world. These weapons were often made out of bronze and sacrificed to a god. These temples were destroyed during the Roman occupation in 124 BCE. They are still not extinct.
The Celts were multitheistic and worshiped many gods. Some were localized to a specific region, while others were well-known worldwide. The gods also loved those who would sacrifice their lives. Some were stronger than others. Lugus, for instance, was the sun's representative. Other goddesses were also associated with rivers or healing springs. Some were related to animals, like horses.
They believed springs were for them
Celts had complex beliefs. They believed that all living things have sentience and spirit. They believed that the world was a complex, wonderful, and dangerous theater in which both humans and other creatures lived and died. Scholars were often able to contradict their beliefs and practices. Therefore, it is important to clarify what they meant.
Celts were close to nature and could often see omens in animal behavior. They valued the virtues and beauty of animals and associated spirits with them. Horses and stags were their favorite animals for their endurance, speed and beauty. They also admired dogs and their keen smelling senses.
They worshipped effigies
Celts worshipped ineffigies as a way for them to show their devotion. Some made large figures from sticks and filled them up with live men. Other Celts set these effigies on fire to offer tribute to the gods. These practices were however banned by the Romans.
The Celts also believed in the existence of supernatural beings, including fairies. They believed that the soul of the dead reincarnated and passed from one body to another. This belief is also reflected in Celtic mythology regarding fairies.