Ancient Celtic Morrigan Bell Discovered -

By Lewis Hales, M.A., M.A.

An ancient Celtic bell was excavated and put on display in 2005 at the Sadigh Gallery of Ancient Art in New York. It is of continental Celtic origin and dates to about 300 B.C. Perhaps the most significant feature of the bell is its amazing encoded inscription, which portrays an enhanced version of the goddess Morrigan's primary deity symbol, the triangle.

Morrigan was a three-part goddess similar to the Christian trinity concept. Although she is often referenced in Irish mythology, Morrigan was venerated throughout Celtic civilization. At one time, she was regarded as the supreme female deity in the Celtic pantheon. She had several primary symbols that represented different aspects of her diverse character. Some of the most beautiful Celtic artwork discovered has been devoted to her veneration.

The name Morrigan means "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen." She is associated with fertility, sensuality, nurturing, life, death and especially war. She is identified as the Celtic war goddess, but this is not completely accurate. There were no temples of war in Celtic society, but there was a passionate emphasis on revenge. To the Celts, revenge, not war, was a deeply spiritual experience. Scattered across Europe are remains of temples dedicated to celebrate revenge on enemies, such as the one discovered in Roquepertuse, France.

Morrigan and Celtic warriors were inseparable because she was their principle goddess. Her primary function during wartime was not to cause or end a conflict, but to grant revenge to those who invoked her, which was done through special ceremonies conducted by druids to obtain her blessings and protection before going into battle. Her transformation into a raven on the battlefield symbolically reveals a dual side to the type of revenge she administers. Ravens are not invested in how or why a conflict begins or turns out; they simply wait for casualties and then devour the slain from both sides. Regarding war, Morrigan shows us that getting revenge has devastating consequences that eventually take their toll on everyone involved.

Archaeology has discovered Morrigan statues, shrines, stone slabs and pottery as early as 3,000 B.C.; most likely her veneration was practiced in some form as far back as 8,000 B.C. to the three¬-pole society that resided where Stonehenge is located.

One of Morrigan's earliest known symbols is three interconnected lines, which was eventually combined in the form of a triangle. A triangle or set of three triangles became her definitive signature mostly found on Celtic weapons and other artifacts used to perform ceremonies.

The Morrigan bell features three sections of ten triangles engraved around the bell's lower rim. Each triangle is cut completely through the bell to emphasize its significance. Whenever the ancient Celts wanted to emphasize something very spiritual they would often cut the design through the metal instead of engraving the image on the surface of the metal.

The first section features three triangles on the front of the bell, which is a symbolic variation of the single triangle. The second representation consists of just one design I call the "tenth triangle." This solitary triangle is one of the most important triangles on the bell because it identifies that the overall design is not an enhanced tribute to the sacred three principle; if it had been so there would be nine triangles. This special sequence was intended to portray a very different meaning and purpose. Next to the tenth triangle is an elaborate set of six triangles that goes around the bell and connects with the front design. Five of these triangles become smaller in size than the one to its left. The number six is sacred because it refers to six symbols that stand for the sun's rotation around the earth.

The Morrigan's primary symbol representing her three-part deity evolved from a design of three connected lines and other tri¬-symbols into a single triangle and its three triangle variation, which became a motif featured on Celtic weapons throughout Celtic society. Every Celtic primary design had its enhanced version and this bell's inscription is the most elaborate and sophisticated known example of the goddess. It is an excellent example of Celtic artwork featuring a highly developed sacred inscription providing a comprehensive understanding of Morrigan in symbolic form.

Because of the bell's spiritual and high level numerical encoding, it was most likely used as part of a ceremony to invoke the goddess for her protection and blessings on the battlefield. A druid probably designed its triangular sequence and a metal smith likely made the bell. Its atypical shape is also in the form of a triangle.

Although many experienced this special bell in different ways, most were certain the inscription was a magical formula that facilitated protection, blessings and a personal encounter with the goddess of revenge. The Morrigan bell was purchased and added to the Celtic Collection in May, 2006.

 

 

Lewis Hales, M.A., M.A., is credited with writing over 120 articles and is owner of the Celtic Collection, the largest group of Celtic artifacts in America.