Neo-Celtic or Neo-Celticism is an aesthetic, fashion style and artistic movement focusing on the revival of ancient Celtic cultures, practices and traditions through a Romanticistic point of view. Similiarly to Neo-Romanism or Neo-Viking, this aesthetic draws heavy inspiration from ancient Celtic culture and mythology and puts it in a modern setting along with other modern elements. Neo-Celticism became really popular in the westernmost regions of Europe due to the influence of the Celtic Revival movement.
Visuals[]
Some visuals included in Neo-Celtic edits include:
- Nature
- Tartan patterns
- Bonfires
- Forests
- Flowers
- Megalithic monuments
- Castles, buildings and other monuments of Celtic origin
- Ancient Celtic weaponry
- Candles
- Leaves
- Butterflies
- Witchcraft
- Celtic Symbology
- The Dara knot
- Celtic knots
- The Ailm
- The Triskelion
- The Tree of Life
- The Harp
- The Hermine
- Shamrocks
- Carolingian crosses
- Celtic crosses
- Celtic mythological creatures
- Celtic dragons
- Fae/Fairies
- Celtic elves
- Lavandières
- Celtic witches
History[]
The Celtic culture is thought to have originated sometime around 3000 years ago. The Celts were a really diverse group of ancient tribes including Gauls, Galaicos, Armoricans, Celtiberians, Galatians, Bastarnae, Astures, Britons, Icenis, Noris, Gaels, Ulaids, Scordiscis, Picts, Cantabrians, the Hallstatt culture, and many other tribes, which were really widespread in Europe before the rise of Roman Imperialism, Romanization and other socio-cultural factors in former Celtic territories over the many years. Nowadays, most of these Celtic tribes no longer exist as they were replaced by different tribes and cultures. The Celtic culture mainly survived in the British Isles and Brittany in the northwest of France. The remaining insular Celtic culture diversified into that of the modern Gaels (Irish, Scottish and Manx people) and the modern Celtic Britons (Welsh, Cornish, and Breton people) of the Medieval and modern periods. After the rise of Romanticism in Europe, a modern Neo-Celtic identity was constructed as part of the Romanticistic Celtic Revival in Britain, Ireland, Brittany and other European territories interested in the Celtic revival such as Galicia or Asturias in Spain. Today Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton are still spoken in parts of their respective territories, but all of them faced or still face issues including cultural assimiliation and governmental repression due to English and French rule. The Cornish and Manx languages also went extinct at one point, but due to the Neo-Celticist movement, the languages are being revitalized today. The six territories widely considered Celtic nations today are Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, and sometimes other territories such as Galicia, Devon, Cumbria, Asturias or Cantabria, as they may participate in Celtic revivalism despite not having an alive Celtic language.
Neo-Celtic Fashion[]
Masculine[]
- Aran or Fisherman sweaters
- Tartan Kilts
- Tunics
- Belts
- Cloaks
- Trousers
Feminine[]
- Aran or Fisherman sweaters
- Ankle-length tartan skirts
- Floor-length skirts
- Dresses made from wool or linen
- Shawls
- Cloaks made from wool and fastened by brooches or pins
Vendors[]
Neo-Celtic Architecture[]
Neo-Celtic Architecture is technically an imagined version of what ancient Celtic architecture looked like and what it would look like if it survived into the modern age. Celtic architecture during Pre-history and the Classical Age was really diverse, however Neo-Celtic architecture mainly takes inspiration from Celtic roundhouses, which were popular among the westernmost regions of Europe. Because of this, Neo-Celtic architecture revival wasn't very successful due to the lack of resources on ancient Celtic architecture. The most well known Neo-Celtic architect was the Hungarian architect Imre Makovecz.
Philosophy & Religion[]
Celtic Neo-Paganism[]
As religion is also a major part of a culture, the Neo-Celticist movement also reconstructed the ancient Celtic religion. Celtic Neo-paganism is a polytheistic religion, meaning they worship multiple deities. They celebrate the cross-quarter festivals (AKA the major holidays) and the solstices and equinoxes (AKA the minor holidays). The Celtic new year is November 1st, a day after Samhain (also called Halloween), when the veil between the spirit world and the human world was supposedly lifted.
Pan-Celticism[]
A Pan-celtic sticker featuring various flags and a Celtic knot.
Pan-Celticism is a Romanticist political, social and cultural movement in support of unification, solidarity and cooperation between the modern inhabitants of the Celtic regions (those of Gaelic and Brittonic origin) and all modern Celts of Northwestern Europe. This movement heavily influenced the Neo-Celtic aesthetic and can be traced back to the Celtic Revival movement of Romanticism which first appeared in 1838 and peaked during and after the 1900s. Generally the main territories today considered Celtic are Ireland (including Northern Ireland), Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, because according to most Pan-Celtic organizations the general rule for a territory to be considered Celtic is the presence of a Celtic language. However by other standards, other territories which participate in the Celtic revival include Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria in northwestern Spain, Nova Scotia in Canada and Cumbria and Devon in the United Kingdom. So, the Neo-Celtic aesthetic is also mostly prevalent in those territories, especially in their media, music and musical videos; however it's worth noting their cultures themselves are not an aesthetic and only influence the Neo-Celtic aesthetic. For about a century (from 1838 to 1939), the Pan-Celtic movement was one of the most influential nationalist movements. The first Pan-Celtic gatherings were held at festivals of Celtic culture such as Gorsedd and Eisteddfod, in 1917 the International Celtic Congress was formed, which is held annually. Since then, the Celtic League has been considered to be the face of the Pan-Celtic movement. Nowadays pan-Celticists prefer cultural exchange rather than political cooperation, as various pan-Celtic music, art and literature festivals are organized.
Festivals[]
- Lorient Interceltic Festival (Lorient, Brittany, France)
- Ortigueira's Festival of Celtic World (Ortigueira, Galicia, Spain)
- Interceltic Festival of Avilés (Avilés, Asturias, Spain)
Music[]
The Neo-Celtic aesthetic is often associated with Folk-Pop and Folk-Rock music inspired by traditional Celtic folk songs.
Musical Artists[]
Songs[]
- Tri Martolod by Nolwenn Leroy
- La Jument de Michao by Nolwenn Leroy
- Fulenn by Alvan & Ahez
- I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls by Méav Ni Mhaolchatha
- Ailenn Duin by Méav Ni Mhaolchatha
- Busindre Reel by Hevia
- Bravig by Gwennyn
- Tír na nÓg by Celtic Woman & Oonagh
- CORNUALIA by Bras Rodrigo
- Suite Sudarmoricaine by Nolwenn Leroy
- Terra by Tanxugueiras
- Savage Daughter by Ekaterina Shelehova
- Dh’èirich mi moch, b' fheàrr nach do dh’èirich by Julie Fowlis
Activities[]
- Playing board games
- Listening and composing Celtic music
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Participating in Interceltic festivals
- Riding horses
- Hurling
- Camogie
- Practicing traditional dances of Celtic origin
- Appreciating nature
- Learning and reviving Celtic languages
Media[]
Neo-Celtic media takes inspiration from many sources. Folk heroes and historical events are popular subjects for movies. In TV programs, modern slice of life and comedy themes are more popular. Settings tend to be rural or focused on working class communities if set in cities.
TV Shows[]
- Ballykissangel (1996-2001)
- Dead Still (2020-Present)
- Derry Girls (2018-Present)
- Doc Martin (2004-)
- Father Ted (1995–1998)
- Hamish Macbeth (1995-1997)
- Hinterland (2013-2016)
- Monarch of the Glen (2000-2005)
- Moone Boy (2012–2015)
- Outlander (2014-Present)
- Scot Squad (2014-Present)
- Stella (2012-2017)
- Torchwood (2006-2011)
- Wild West (2002–2004)
Movies[]
- Bécassine! (2018)
- Brave (2012)
- Braveheart (1995)
- Brooklyn (2015)
- Druids (2001)
- Fisherman's Friends (2019)
- Jamaica Inn (1939)
- Ladies in Lavender (2004)
- Michael Collins (1996)
- Ondine (2009)
- Pride (2014)
- Rob Roy (1995)
- Sunset Song (2015)
- The Black Cauldron (1985)
- The Decoy Bride
- The Edge of Love
- The Fighting Prince of Donegal
- The Secret of Kells (2009)
- The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
- The Stag (2013)
- The Starfish (1952)
- The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)
- Trainspotting (1996)
- Tristan + Isolde (2006)
- Wolfwalkers (2020)
Comedy[]
Books[]
- Anam Cara by John O'Donohue
- Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales by Alwyn D. Rees and Brinley Rees
- Celtic Tales by John O'Donohue
- Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats
- Gods and Heroes of the Celts by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt
- In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World by Pádraig Ó Tuama
- The Book of Celtic Myths by Adams Media
- The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander
- The Celtic Book of the Dead by Caitlin Matthews
- The Mabinogion by Anonymous author
- The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might by Courtney Weber
- The fairy-faith in Celtic countries by Walter Evans-Wentz
- Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner by Danu Forest
Videogames[]
- Nancy Drew: Ghost of Castle Malloy
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- This page was modelled after the former Celtic page since it broke the Wiki's standards: it was documenting actual cultures and nations rather than an aesthetic. Some content from the page was copied and pasted into this one. All the credits goes to their respective editors.