Who Was Cernunnos and What Did He Represent in Celtic Mythology

Cernunnos is a fascinating figure in Celtic mythology, often depicted with antlers and associations with wild animals and the natural world. Understanding his significance requires delving into both traditional interpretations and recent scholarly explorations.

The Etymology and Early Theories

The name Cernunnos is believed to derive from the combination of words that roughly translate to "God of Horned Animals" or "Antlered God." The first part of his name, Cernu-, is thought to refer to antlers or horned animals, while the second part, -onus, implies "great one" or "god."

Similar depictions of a stag-deity or shaman can be traced back to pre-Celtic times, even encompassing the Stone Age. The Indus Valley culture, for instance, included depictions of a bull-god, which some scholars believe may have been a precursor to the Hindu god Pashupati Shiva or Rudra. This shared imagery suggests a commonality in the worship of animal gods across different cultures and time periods.

Common Interpretations in Celtic Mythology

One prominent theory is that Cernunnos was a god of the forests and the Lord of Animals. In Arthurian legend, there is a being encountered in the woods, surrounded by animals similar to those associated with Cernunnos. This being is able to kill and revive all the animals with a touch of his club or wand. Similarly, in Irish mythology, Conall Cernach pacifies a serpent guarding a barrow, much like Cernunnos seems to be a friend with a ramhorned-snake.

Cernunnos has also been associated with the figure of Herne the Hunter from British folklore. However, unlike the Celtic Cernunnos, Herne the Hunter was often depicted as a hunter. Still, scholars have noted that Cernunnos was never portrayed as a hunter in Celtic folklore. In Welsh mythology, characters like Afaggdu or Morvran are described as wild and beast-like, though horns are not explicitly mentioned. The Irish figure Dagda is known by the name Fer Benn, meaning "man with horns," although he famously says, "I've got an erection!"

Antique Mediterranean Influence

More recent interpretations and theories draw on the art and iconography of the ancient Mediterranean world. For example, the three-headed or three-faced version of Cernunnos and the Gaulish Jupiter-like Tricephalos have been likened to the triadic depiction of the Platonic monad: Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon as gods representing the sky, underworld, and sea, respectively.

In Hinduism, the Trimurti is often depicted as a three-headed deity, as is the Slavic Triglav. The similarity between some Gaulish stag-god depictions and those of the Gaulish Jupiter or Taranis figures has also been noted. This is particularly relevant because the Greek-Roman Zeus/Jupiter-Ammon was often portrayed as a ram-horned god. Several Celtic gods with names similar to Cernunnos, such as Cernenus, Cerunincus, Cornutus, and Carnuntinus, have in some inscriptions been identified with Jupiter. This suggests that Taranis and Cernunnos might be different manifestations of the Celtic sky-god or lord of the three realms: sky, earth, and sea.

Iconographic Interpretations

A notable depiction shows Cernunnos sitting on a throne, holding a bag of grain that feeds a bull and a stag at his sides. Apollo and Mercury are also shown beside him, with his antlers supporting a roof. This has been interpreted as Cernunnos being a god of the cosmos, with his antlers holding the sky-roof of the world and his bag of grains symbolizing wealth and the underworld. His throne is reminiscent of Jupiter flanked by his sons Apoll and Mercury, who could symbolize Celtic concepts of light and trickery, respectively.

The light god and the trickster embody the Celtic concepts of mat (light) and anmat (darkness) or an (negative). This dualistic representation underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of Cernunnos and his significance in Celtic mythology.

Ultimately, while new theories offer fascinating insights, the true essence of Cernunnos remains open to interpretation. His portrayal as a god of the forests, Lord of Animals, a mediator between realms, and a symbol of cosmic order highlights the profound significance he held in the Celtic pantheon.