The Bull - Celtic Symbol
The bull was a symbol of power and wealth to the Celts. The prosperity of the people depended on the strength of their herds. The bull as leader of the cattle symbolised the fertility of the clans. Its presence meant abundance and plenty. Symbols of the bull were also worn to encourage endurance, virility and fertility on wedding nights. Not only a Celtic symbol for physical and mental strength the bull represents perseverance.
The jewelry box or tray below would make an attractive addition to your home. Or a gift for the Taurean - or just the bullish amongst us! To find out more about each bull item click on the image or the “Buy Now!” link. To find out more about this Celtic symbol scroll down to a story about the bull in Irish mythology.
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Irish Celtic Bull
One of the most famous Irish Celtic legends about a bull is the Cattle raid of Cooley; Tain Bo Cuailnge part of the Ulster cycle. The story concerns two bulls of the Sidhe, the immortal race. The white bull of Connaught, Finnbhennach and the brown bull of Ulster, Donn Cuailnge.
The story begins when Medb queen of Connaught and her husband Ailill compare their possessions. They are equal apart from Ailill's great white bull of Connaught. The only comparable beast is the great brown bull of Ulster belonging to Daire in the Cooley Mountains.
When Daire refuses to give up the bull Medb takes a great army on the Cattle Raid of Cooley - Tain Bo Cuialnge. The defence of Ulster is left to the young Cuchulain as the men of Ulster were put under an ancient debilitating curse.
Eventually Cuchlain keeps off the marauding army until the men of Ulster are freed from the curse. They eventually repel Queen Medb's forces but the great brown bull is captured and taken to Connaught, there he fights and kills innbhennach. But Donn Cuailnge is mortally wounded, the bull wanders around Ireland returning to Ulster where he dies.
