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Society Symbols

 

 

The Druids never truly had one symbol, there were many different abstract and physical animals and items that had special meanings to the religious beliefs of the celts. The Society will then follow this trend and instead of one single symbol, offer multiple different symbols that can be used to represent the Druids and the society.

 *Art of the symbols will appear when the Society has access to them*

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The Wheel of Taranis

  The Wheel of Taranis is a Gaulish symbol used to represent the thunder god Taranis. This particular symbol was so popular that it features across the major Celtic groups such as the Gauls and Britons and in coins, religious iconography and even pendents. This has thus lead many different pagan organisations to take up the Wheel as their main symbol.

 While no wheel pendent has been found in Ireland, there are hints towards the wheel remaining a significant part of Irish Religion. Mogh Ruith, often considered on of the great Druids of Irish literature, is named after the wheel (His name is lit. Slave of the Wheel, the wheel possibly representing paganism). This is furthered by some of his most miraculous creations such as his flying machine Roth Ramach. It also features as a fibulae in the cloak of Conaire Mor in the destruction of the Hotel of Da Derga.

 Although the evidence is sparse, it's important place in wider celtic paganism has lead to the decision to include the Wheel of Taranis as one of the symbols of the Society.

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Brigids Cross

 The Cross of Saint Brigid is a well known Irish symbol, said to have been woven by Saint Brigid herself it has become a common sight on her day of celebration, Imbolc. The Symbol likely has pagan origins, even if it has been modified by the arrival of Christianity and is used in important pagan festivities on Imbolc.

 The cross of Saint Brigid was used by the Society of Ancient Irish Religion, however the Society moved away from its more Brigid oriented cult practices and felt it could no longer function as their main symbol. The Society used the three-armed cross to represent paganism so that the four armed cross could represent the Rite, it is currently unsure if this agreement is still in effect.

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Wren

 The Wren seems to have originally been connected to the Druidic class, it's named Drean, is etymologically linked to the Druids meaning,  'Druid's Bird'. Across European folklore it has been considered the king of the birds and had its own list of auguries, as such it is with no doubt important to the ancients.

 Because of this, the Wren could be considered a totem of Druidism, with Irish folklore forbidding damage against the Wren, lest someone close to them should die or they should fall into misfortune. 

 As such, it can be used to represent the Society. 

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Oak

 The Oak tree is heavily associated with the oak tree, the Druids themselves being 'Oak Seers' in accordance with their etymology. It is likely the oak represented a particular god, an equivalent to Zeus in some records, it is unknown if this is true for Ireland. Still because of the importance of the Oak it is apart of the Society's symbols. This of course includes it leaves, which appear in some celtic artworks and the acorn which used to be eaten by the Druids to gain knowledge.

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 Mistletoe

 Mistletoe is associated with the druids, this mostly stems from the recorded Mistletoe rite. It is reported here that Mistletoe is a gift from the gods and can cure all ailments, while the accuracy of this may be questionable, it is still an important part of modern Druidry and reveals more of Celtic Plantlore. As such it can be used as a symbol of the Society.

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Trees

 Other Trees associated with Druidry is the Rowan, the Ash and the Hazelnut, which are used in rites or were one of the five principle trees of Ireland, also the Yew which seems to have been held in high esteem as it is legally on pain of death to cut it down in Brehon and Hywel Dda's law. Additionally the Birch also had sacred properties historically and appearing in the dreams of Diolun.

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The Serpent Standard

 This is based off of the following quote from Keatings 'General History of Ireland' the quote is the following:

 "The Milesians, from the time they first conquered Ireland, down to the reign of Ollamh Fodhla, made use of no other arms of distinction in their banners than a serpent twisted round a rod, after the example of their Gadelian ancestors."

 As such this is used as a symbol of the Society as a standard similar perhaps to the boar standards found in ancient Gaul.

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 Society Heraldry

 The Society of Ancient Irish Religion posses it's own coat of arms, which is described as the following:

 An Iberian (Oval) supported on the left by a three-horned bull rampart and on the right by a horse rampart headed by a boars head erased fessways consumed by flames and comparted florally.

 Centered on it the Wren in rising votal towards the right.

 Bearing the motto 'Adhradh na déithe, Ná déan olc, Misneach Cleachtais’

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 The meaning behind this will be explained as follows:

The Iberian oval or the Cartouche is the arms of a clergyman, making it the most appropriate to the Society, which seeks to become a priesthood. It is supported by a bull and a horse, two animals commonly sacrificed in important rites and associated with royalty (Tarb Feis, the Horse Rite of the Initiation), the bull bears three horns to denote its divinity (Found famously in Gaul). 

 The Boar is another sacred animal in Irish Paganism, in fact at times the Druids are replaced by swineherds. It is surrounded by flames to denote its divinity and because of the important role fire plays in Senchus. 

 It is compartmented by a floral pattern to represent the 360 herbs that grew from Miach after his slaying by Dian Cecht. The knowledge of these herbs was likely studied by the Druids, as they are connected to other herbs and herbal medicine in Gaul like Selago.

 The Wren, as stated above, can be considered a sort of totem animal for the Druid, it is an important part of augury and Druidic practice in general. It is flying upwards, representing it going up to get auguries from the gods and on the right-side as it represents a good omen. 

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 The Motto: 'Adhradh na déithe, Ná déan olc, Misneach Cleachtais’

 Translates: ‘Worship the gods, Do no Evil, Practise Courage’

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 Which is the three things that are recorded as being apart of Druidic teachings by Hellenic sources and as such are highly respected by the Society of Ancient Irish Religion.

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