Celtic Knot Pendant with Lugh

Celtic Knot Pendant Lugh, crafted in sterling silver (925mm).

Measures:
Length: 3.2 cm
Width: 2.3 cm

Where does the knot of Lugh?

It is a symbol created for the celebration of the feast of Lughnasadh (god of Celtic mythology). It is a Gaelic festival held on August 1, during the ripening of the local harvest of berries, or during a full moon near the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. In other English-speaking areas the same festival is known as Lammas.

Old Celebration

Lugnasad was one of the four major festivals of Irish medieval calendar. Imbolc at the beginning of February, May 1st Beltane, Lughnasadh in August and Samhain in October. Early Celtic calendar was based on the cycles of the moon, sun and vegetation, so the current calendar dates are variable. Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the time of harvest ripening of the first fruits, and was traditionally a time of community meeting, fairs, horse races and meetings with distant family and friends. Among the Irish this was a favorite for "handfastings" (weddings) time - trial marriages usually lasted a year and a day, with the option to end the contract before the new year or formalize it as a more permanent marriage.

In the mythology of Celtic people, Lughnasadh was started by the god Lugh, like a funeral feast and games commemorating his adoptive mother, Tailtiu, who died of exhaustion before clearing the Irish plains for agriculture. The first location was Áenach Tailteann a modern Teltown site, located between Navan and Kells. Historically holding Áenach Tailteann was a moment of contests of strength and skill, and marriages. During the festival was declared peace and religious celebrations were made. A similar festival Lughnasadh was in Carmun (whose exact location is disputed). Carmun is believed to be a goddess of the Celts with a similar Tailtiu history.

Equivalent to Lughnasadh festival may have been observed by the Gauls. During the reign of Augustus Caesar, the Romans instituted a celebration on August 1 the genius of the emperor in Lyon, a place that you believe may have been named for the Celtic god Lugh.

Modern celebration

On the mainland of Europe and Ireland, many people continue to celebrate this festival with fire and dance. The Christian church has established the ritual of blessing the fields on this day. Some families of Irish diaspora still choose August as the traditional time for family gatherings and parties, although modern work schedules sometimes this has to be moved to July 4th party, independence of the republic in the United States.

On August 1, Swiss National Day, is traditionally celebrate with fireworks. This conclusion may have roots in Lughnasadh celebrations of Helvetii, Celtic people of Iron Age who lived in what is now Switzerland. In northern Italy, in Canzo, Lughnasadh traditions are still incorporated into modern celebrations of August 1.