Why were Celtic warriors blue?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

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April 8, 2003

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Suggested Reading—>Click here.

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In 54 BCE, Gaius Julius Caesar attempted the second invasion of the Britani Isles. Three hundred thirty six years earlier, the Keltoi, as they were called in Greek, had sacked and burned Rome. The Keltoi "strangers" or Celts controlled most of Europe. Rome thought their best interests

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lay in conquering the tribes.

Legends about Celtic warriors grew; even Roman soldiers respected the fierce fighters. Roman legions had been defeated too many times by the furious Celts. During the Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar needed to cut the lines of aid the Gallic Celts (Gauls) were getting from the Britani Celts. Caesar did not succeed in conquering Britani; he left with only an agreement from the tribal leader, Cassivellaunus, to pay tribute to Rome.

Considered barbarians by the Romans, the Celtic tribes by 200 BCE had spread through Europe displacing or replacing the original inhabitants. Not known for their agriculture, the barbarians oddly 'adopted' a useful biennial in the mustard family from southeastern Russia. Dyer's wood or woad (Isatis tinctoria Linnaeus) became cultivated across northern Europe for the blue dye made from its leaves.

In the fifth book of his Commentaries, Caesar wrote, "The most civilized of all these nations are they who inhabit Kent...nor do they differ much from the Gallic customs. Most of the...inhabitants...live on milk and flesh, and are clad with skins. All the Britains, indeed, dye themselves with wood, which occasions a bluish color, and thereby have a more terrible appearance in fight." (Caesar's Commentaries, trans. W.A. McDevitte and W.S. Bohn)

Although Rome conquered the southern part of Britani in 42 BCE, it never managed to subdue the north or Hibernia (Ireland). In 122 CE, Emperor Hadrian had a wall built to keep the barbarians out of Roman controlled Britannia.

Den Virtuella Floran has several photographs of dyer's woad taken by Arne and Anna Lena Anderberg. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/di/brassica/isati/isattin.html

Hadrian's Wall still stands across parts of England. To learn more about the Wall, click on the link:

http://www.hadrians-wall.org/

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

What wood'n you know about wood? What's in a Name? - April 11, 2003
Why was woad hurtful to many? Weird Plants - April 10, 2003
Hairy Indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) Plant of the Week - September 20, 2004
What were the Roman calends? What's in a Name? - February 22, 2002
What is shellac? Renfield's Garden - May 28, 2003

The Celts: Rich Traditions and Ancient Myths DVD Set

Discovery Channel®

Journey through the colorful and romantic history of the Celts with historian Frank Delaney. This two-DVD documentary, originally produced by BBC Scotland, is a vibrant, moving look at the history, legends and legacy of the Celtic people. Throughout, the images and messages are underscored by the hauntingly beautiful music of Ireland's Enya.  Click here - The Celts: Rich Traditions and Ancient Myths DVD Set  [More Discovery Channel Videos & DVDs!]

Fast-Growing Sun Garden

Springhill Nursery®

You can capture the charm of a wonderful English cottage garden around your home with this collection of 16 easy-care perennials. In creating the Fast-Growing Sun Garden, Spring Hill's experts were inspired by the traditional gardens of England's countryside and the cheerful flowers they produce with only a minimum of attention summer after summer.

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These showy plants-all proven performers in American gardens-will turn any sunny area of approximately 60 sq. ft. into a riot of color the very first year, and will continue to bloom brightly for years to come.

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		Toad Lily 'Blue Wonder’ Breck's Bulbs® Toad Lilies enchant and delight when their unique, starlike blooms appear as if by magic in late summer to fall. Blue Wonder is among the best, bearing heavily spotted, purple-blue blooms, complemented by waxy, dark green leaves. Easy to grow in borders and naturalized areas. Tricyrtis. #1 plants.
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		English Delphinium Mix Springhill Nursery® Extensive trials and careful selection of garden-hardy seed have resulted in this gorgeous mix. This vigorous English delphinium Mix strain features big, 3" blooms of clear, intense color and outstanding form. Reaches 4-6' tall, with an 18-24" spread. A favorite of butterflies and bees! Shipped in 3" pot. Delphinium elatum 'New Millenium Mix' Zone 2 to 7
This seed grown strain of Delphinium elatum is available for the first time in the US through Spring Hill Nursery. This totally new strain is the result of exhaustive breeding and careful selection for the very best and strongest from hundreds of seedlings. These selections have then undergone extensive trials at the RHS Gardens in Wisley. The finalist have been named and registered by the RHS. Our exclusive seed strain has been selected from these. The beautiful plants are noted for their clear, intense flower colors, the shape, fullness and size of the flowers, the health and vigor of the over-all plant and for strong stems.  Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!  [ More Perennials! ]
		Celtic Sun Cross - County Kilkenny, Ireland. 900 A.D. Museum Store Company® The Celts were the ancient inhabitants of much of Europe. A spiritual people, their rich mythology and symbology later merged with the Christian beliefs they embraced to create a distinctive art seen especially in Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic Cross is known throughout the world as the emblem of Celtic Christianity and it can be considered the symbol of Celticness itself. Celtic Crosses began to appear during the fifth century A.D., it's shape is derived from a pagan sun symbol, the sunwheel, which later became a symbol of the Christian Godhead.
The sunwheel was originally a cross surrounded by a circle with a center stone representing the sun and mock suns at the four quarters. The stone at the center of the circle also represents the navel of the world. The stone pillar of the cross embodies phallic and fertility characteristics. The cross represents eternal life; it's horizontal axis being the earthly world and the vertical axis the heavenly world coming together as the union of Heaven and Earth. Celtic Crosses are imbued with continuous and interwoven knot and spiral motifs symbolizing the continuity of life, death and rebirth. Celtic Crosses often have images of the Christian cruxifiction, patriarchs and saints. 12"" H, Wall Hanging  Click here for the pricie of the Celtic Sun Cross and to view other artifacts!
Carpe Diem Ring (Seize The Day) Roman, Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65BC Posey & Inscribed Ring Museum Store Company®
		Quintus Horatius Flaccus, born in 65 BC, whom we call Horace, is among the greatest of the Roman poets. Of his vast corpus of work this short Latin invocation to take action has almost entered the English language itself. From the Odes Book I.11 the complete quotation reads: "While we speak, Time has been running, Seize the day, and trust as little as you may for tomorrow." The interior is engraved with the symbols of the Roman days. The history of these symbols and their use is a fascinating one. For example, Mercury's Day, in Latin dies mercurii, the day of the Roman messenger god, gave way to his Norse equivalent Woden.
However, his name lived on in English as the symbol became used by astrologers for the planet Mercury, and the medieval alchemists also used the same symbol to denote the poisonous liquid metal, mercury. Today, someone who is quick, alert or fast, may be said to be mercurial, no doubt someone who seizes the day. Sterling, Sizes 6-10, please specify in order comments  Click here for price of the Carpe Diem Ring (Seize The Day) and to view other arifacts!
		Celtic Square Knot Earrings - 500 B.C. - 12th Century AD Museum Store Company® Northern Europe - The Celts (Keltoi) were a nomadic people of independent, feudal tribes. They had no written language and no common ruler. Celtic art is often characterized by intertwined tendrils, stylized animals, knots and wheels.
These designs were often symbolic of their religious beliefs. The wheel symbolized the sun, and human faces were thought to ward off evil spirits. Animal motifs on war regalia were believed to bring good luck in battle Sterling  Click here for price of the Celtic Square Knot Earrings and to view more artifacts!
		Celtic Cross Pendant 7th - 9th Century, Ireland Museum Store Company® European Collection - This jewelry is inspired by the exquisite interlaced cross design on a stone slab from Ireland. Among other functions, these stone carvings served as focal points for introspection and religious sermons.  Click here for price of the Celtic Cross Pendant and to view other artifacts!
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