Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Druids—Iona explained
This chapter describes the Druids, the priestly class of the ancient Celts, their beliefs, rituals, festivals, and moral teachings, as well as the history of Iona as a refuge for Druids and later as the site of St.
What happens
This chapter describes the Druids, the priestly class of the ancient Celts, their beliefs, rituals, festivals, and moral teachings, as well as the history of Iona as a refuge for Druids and later as the site of St. Columba's Christian monastery, which supplanted Druidic practices.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Transmission and Education
The Druids preserved and transmitted knowledge orally, teaching morality, science, and history through bards and traditional tales, while St. Columba later established a monastery that spread Christian learning.
Mortality and Immortality
The Druids' beliefs in a supreme deity and the sun as a symbol, along with their rituals like mistletoe gathering for healing, reflect themes of life, death, and the divine.
Key passages
“The Druids were the priests or ministers of religion among the ancient Celtic nations in Gaul, Britain, and Germany.”
The Druids served as religious leaders for the ancient Celtic peoples across Gaul, Britain, and Germany.
Introduces the role of Druids in Celtic society.
“The Druids taught the existence of one god, to whom they gave a name 'Be'al,' which Celtic antiquaries tell us means 'the life of everything,' or 'the source of all beings,' and which seems to have affinity with the Phoenician Baal.”
The Druids believed in a single god named Be'al, meaning 'the life of everything,' similar to the Phoenician Baal.
Describes Druidic monotheism and its possible Phoenician connection.
“The Druids observed two festivals in each year. The former took place in the beginning of May, and was called Beltane or 'fire of God.'”
The Druids celebrated two annual festivals, the first being Beltane in early May, known as 'fire of God.'
Highlights the Beltane festival.
“The Druids, harassed at all points on the mainland, retreated to Anglesey and Iona, where for a season they found shelter and continued their now dishonored rites.”
Harassed by Romans, the Druids fled to Anglesey and Iona, where they temporarily continued their rituals.
Describes the Druids' retreat to Iona.
“Columba with twelve friends landed on the island of Iona in the year of our Lord 563, having made the passage in a wicker boat covered with hides.”
In 563 AD, Columba and twelve companions arrived at Iona in a hide-covered wicker boat.
Recounts St. Columba's arrival on Iona.