Celtic Myth Tapestries

The banshee (bean sí in Irish) is a ghoulish figure from ancient Celtic fairy lore. She is said to appear as an omen of death, wailing and crying outside of the home for a loved one in the house who is soon to die. She is a pretty terrifying figure. Legend has it that the banshee only wails for five different Irish families. I am a descendant of one of those five families, so I felt compelled to portray this wailing wench in all her spooky glory!

Brokkr and Sindri who were challenged to forge items more wonderous than gungnir by the god loki.

White stags have played a role in many mythologies and legends, especially in the North. The Celts believed them to be messengers from the otherworld. The white stag’s appearance would be an omen for whoever sighted it. The legends of King Arthur indicated that the white stag had a supernatural ability to avoid capture, and pursuit of the magical beast was akin to a spiritual quest.

Out with the old and in with the new! We were running a “Hammer of Thor” tee for a while, but I felt the need to totally revamp the design. I’m really happy with the end result. For those of you who don’t already know, Mjölnir is the name of the weapon used by the Norse god of thunder, Thor. The symbol at the center of this design is based on Mjölnir amulets worn around the necks of Vikings during the Middle Ages. It is meant to symbolize strength and protection. Take some time to look at the details in and around the hammer. Anyone interested in Viking history, or in Celtic art would appreciate it.

Dragon with Celtic Knots. Very accurated 3D modeling and rendering by Bulgan Lumini (c) .Part from series Hyper Talismans.

Illustration of Scandinavian god Thor.

Beowulf vs Grendel's mother

Painting showing the moment Sir Bedivere returns the magical sword Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake in the Arthurian Legend. Copyright Alan Lathwell.

Cernunnos is the “Horned One”, a Celtic god associated with sexuality, fertility, the hunt, and the underworld. He was worshiped as the “lord of wild things” by the iron age Celts all across Europe as late as the first century, but his worship began centuries before that. Cernunnos is nearly always portrayed with animals, in particular the stag. He alternates with the goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation.

The Morrigan (also known as the Morrigu) was the shape-shifting Celtic Goddess of War, Fate and Death. She presided over rivers, lakes and fresh water, in addition to being the patroness of revenge, night, magic, prophecy, priestesses and witches. Her name is interpreted in various forms..."Great Queen," "Phantom Queen" or "Queen of Demons." She was said to hover over battlefields in the form of a raven or hooded crow and frequently foretold or influenced the outcome of the fray.

The Woman and the Swans An illustration based on the legend of the Lady of the Lake for the Encounters with the Imaginary Book 3. This secondary illustration was also accompanied by a short story. Excerpt: And when they fall, as many do in war, she gathers their spirits close and gives them life in the form of the silent swans that drift upon her lake. Together, the Lady and her swans greet the false kings, welcoming them to the icy nothingness of what lies beneath.

Illustration to "Mabinogion" - my favourite book of Welsh legends and folktales. Here if shows Arawn - the king of Welsh otherworld called Annwn.

Celtic

A Positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~ Herm Albright

Joyful and Nimble, 'bout the size o' a thimble, they bring magic into your life!

This spirit has been guarding the woods for as long as there have been woods. He is the forest, he is the Greenman.

An illustration of Irish mythological character the Morrigan, and some of the aspects that define her such as the crow. Her name is spelled out in Ogham also.

Dragon with Celtic Knots. Very accurated 3D modeling and rendering by Bulgan Lumini (c) .Part from series Hyper Talismans.

A pretty deer, a doe or hind, in a forest with foxgloves and Celtic knotwork - all hand-drawn with pens, pencils and inks, and then put togther digitally in Adobe Illustrator.

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

Cartoon illustration of Scandinavian god Thor.

This image was conceived by Susi Matthews, who has played Queen Elizabeth at the KC Ren Faire.  She described her idea thus, "The concept being that I've immolated/rebuilt too many times and while I love the idea of transformation and rebirth, I really would like to just enjoy beauty for awhile.

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

By Matthew Swab. The great thunderbird appeared with a flash illuminating the valley below. Illuminating an army previously unseen. The defenders of the fort gave it thanks.

By Matthew Swab. Do you hear the song of the sea as the two moons shine?

The famous hammer Mjölnir