Archetypes in Celtic Mythology

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Cultural Dictionary

archetype: An original model after which other similar things are patterned. In the psychology of Carl Jung, archetypes are the images, patterns, and symbols that rise out of the collective unconscious and appear in dreams, mythology, and fairy tales.

Elite Irish families used animal symbolism on their Coats of Arms. Pubs often took their names from animals renowned for their strength. Today, Irish coins are minted with animal symbols such as peacocks, salmon, and stags on their faces. Groundhog Day first arose from Imbolc -- the ancient Celtic celebration of the world awakening from its winter slumber.
Celtic animal symbols took a myriad of forms and meaning. The graceful curves of the crane. The stalwart might of the bull. The slow, coiled menace of the snake. The early Celts believed the animals arose from the fantastic otherworld when come the elves and fairies.


With their feats of flying, swimming, phenomenal speed, keen sight and smell, and great strength, these messengers of the gods seemed beyond the power of man.

References

"Fantasy-ireland".Emeral Streams.2004-2008.31 October 2010.<http://fantasy-ireland.com/Celtic- symbol.html/

"Archetype". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 24 November 2010. <Dictionary.comhttp://dictionaty.reference.com/browse/archetype>.