Why Are Animals Important In Animal Mythology
We all know that since ancient times animals were very important for various reasons. They were reared mainly for food, whilst others were kept as pets. Animals affected every area of everyday life, from the economy to religious beliefs and rituals.
Animals in mythology are usually tied in with fertility and vitality, because they are living, moving, and growing. They also provide vitality and continued life for the tribes through their meat, skins, and bones. In addition, they are a connection to the realm of spirits and the gods. This connection is seen through their use in the hunt, search for secrets and wisdom.
Belief in sacred animals is widespread. Common to all of these is the notion that the animal is a manifestation of the sacred and thus possesses the dual attributes of beneficence (in healing, hunting, or agricultural magic) or danger (as expressed in taboos against their destruction or consumption). More rarely, gods are believed to have animal (theriomorphic) forms.
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It is clear that the Celts were an agrarian society. Also some scholars such as Miranda Aldhouse–Green have speculated that they were animists (Green 1992: 196) (animism (from Latin anima, “breath, spirit, life”) is a worldview that non-human entities - such as animals, plants, and inanimate objects possess a spiritual essence (Hornborg 2006: 21)). That is why they had a great respect for their environment and the creatures who shared their sacred landscape.
In this essay I am going to try to explain the symbolism of animals and birds in one of the finest Irish sagas of the early period which is called The Destruction of Da Derga 's Hostel (Togail Bruidne Dá Derga).
In this epic tale we find many different animals but I have chosen to write about the most frequently used animal symbols of the boar, bird
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