The Meaning of Samhain/Hallow'een
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This is a forum for serious discussions and debate on Celtic linguistics and other scholarly topics regardic Celtic history and culture. Questions are welcome and those forum members who are knowledgeable in this field will do their best to provide questioners with accurate, verifiable answers or help them locate the answers for themselves. Opinions are welcome also, but it must be made clear that any unreferenced statements are the poster's own opinion and not necessarily historical fact. Please be ready to cite sources for any assertions you may make.
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This is a forum for serious discussions and debate on Celtic linguistics and other scholarly topics regardic Celtic history and culture. Questions are welcome and those forum members who are knowledgeable in this field will do their best to provide questioners with accurate, verifiable answers or help them locate the answers for themselves. Opinions are welcome also, but it must be made clear that any unreferenced statements are the poster's own opinion and not necessarily historical fact. Please be ready to cite sources for any assertions you may make.
These are public forums, viewable by guests as well as members, and are cataloged by most search engines.
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The Meaning of Samhain/Hallow'een
by bolgios » 31 Oct 2012, 16:40
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Re: The Meaning of Samhain/Hallow'een
by DaRC » 21 Nov 2012, 11:34
I've only just got around to this.... hmm an interesting viewpoint. 
I think the tales of sacrifice, particularly the numbers, are very christianised = it would make no sense to sacrifice 1/3 of all healthy children in a tribal society where there were enough risks to reaching adulthood. There are other areas, such as the Auraceipt N'an Eces and Brehon Laws, which make no such indication.
The late Anne Ross would suggest that the Halloween Lantern's would have come from the Celtic head cult. This is well attested (although I'd need to dig her books out of the loft to provide references) and revolved around taking the heads of your enemies with which to communicate with the Otherworld. The story of Bran's head in the Mabinoigen seems to be an echo of this.
It's always good to see another perspective though.
I think the tales of sacrifice, particularly the numbers, are very christianised = it would make no sense to sacrifice 1/3 of all healthy children in a tribal society where there were enough risks to reaching adulthood. There are other areas, such as the Auraceipt N'an Eces and Brehon Laws, which make no such indication.
The late Anne Ross would suggest that the Halloween Lantern's would have come from the Celtic head cult. This is well attested (although I'd need to dig her books out of the loft to provide references) and revolved around taking the heads of your enemies with which to communicate with the Otherworld. The story of Bran's head in the Mabinoigen seems to be an echo of this.
It's always good to see another perspective though.
Most dear is fire to the sons of men,
most sweet the sight of the sun;
good is health if one can but keep it,
and to live a life without shame. (Havamal 68)
http://gewessiman.blogspot.co.uk
most sweet the sight of the sun;
good is health if one can but keep it,
and to live a life without shame. (Havamal 68)
http://gewessiman.blogspot.co.uk
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DaRC - OBOD Ovate
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