Sacred Numbers: The sacred numbers in Irish and Celtic mythology are: 3 (and its multiples), 5, 13 and 17.
Lugh has several magical possessions. He wields an unstoppable fiery spear, a sling stone, and owns a hound named Failinis. He is said to have invented fidchell, ball games, and horse racing. He corresponds to the pan-Celtic god Lugus, and his Welsh counterpart is Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
In the ancient origins of Irish culture, the Triple Spiral is said to be an important spiritual marking. Ever heard the phrase "3rd times the charm"? This derived from the three joining spirals of the Triple Spiral, with the ancient Irish believing that everything happens in batches of 3.
The resonant symbolism of the number three runs through Celtic tradition from earliest times. The Celts, like other Europeans, attached significance to nearly all frequently used numbers but gave the greatest to three.
Nine is a mystical number in Irish folklore, being thrice three, itself known from ancient times as a mysterious symbol, and so should you happen across nine stones, you would do well to be extra careful! For who knows what might lie sleeping just below the surface.
Irish Numbers: How to count to 10
a dó - two. a trí - three. a ceathair - four. a cúig - five.
Strangest and most awe-inspiring of all, the “magic numbers” of the Druids — 366, 40 and 10 — may be encrypted in the dimensions of the solar system, the physics of our universe and the biology of the human species, as if they were the signature of a Great Architect.
The Claddagh is the most famous and widely loved Irish romantic symbol. This iconic motif features a heart held in two hands with a crown above it. The heart is love, the hands friendship and the crown loyalty. This design even has a romantic back story.
When we're counting numbers in Irish we have to put the letter 'a' before the number. If a number begins with a vowel, we must put a 'h' between the 'a' and the first letter of the number. For example, to say 'one' in Irish we say 'a haon'.
Trinity Knot - A symbol of never ending love & eternal life
The Trinity knot is one of the most recognisable symbols of Celtic culture. An endless, intertwining Celtic knot work symbol with three corners, it is possibly of pagan origin with its original meaning lost in time.
Derived from the Greek word "Triskeles" meaning "three legs", the Triskele or Triple Spiral is a complex ancient Celtic symbol. Often referred to by many as a Triskelion, its earliest creation dates back to the Neolithic era, as it can be seen at the entrance of Newgrange, Ireland.
Elements of Irish culture have become synonymous with luck, particularly with symbols such as shamrocks, rainbows and horseshoes.
The shamrock – luck and the Christian Holy Trinity
The symbol of a shamrock is as Irish as it gets, and is intrinsically linked with Irish culture. This is, in fact, the national flower of Ireland, and with its three leaves (do you see a pattern?), the shamrock leaf brings luck, according to Celtic mythology.
Leprechauns-According to Irish legends, people lucky enough to find a leprechaun and capture him can barter his freedom for his treasure. Leprechauns are usually said to be able to grant the person three wishes. So you'd be extremely lucky to run into one of these little guys indeed!
The number 108 is considered sacred by the Dharmic Religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
The Celtic Tree of Life meaning is ultimately about the forces of nature combining to create balance and harmony. The branches reach for the sky, the roots reach down into the ground. A representation of the link between heaven and earth, mind and body and the never-ending cycle of life.
As legend would have it, Jesus travelled some 2,000 years ago to the West Country with Joseph of Arimathaea, a tin trader who some believe was Jesus' uncle. Jesus is said to have studied with Druids in Glastonbury, the idea being that Druidism held some similarities to the Christian faith.
17 = a seacht déag (ah shocked dayg) 18 = a hocht déag (ah huck-t dayg) 19 = a naoi déag (ah nay dayg) 20 = fiche (fih-ha)
The 1st Battalion (1 R IRISH) is a Light Recce Strike Infantry unit and comes under the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team. Its personnel are based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill.
A hAon (uh hayn) – One. A Dó (uh doh) – Two. A Trí (uh tree) – Three. A Ceathair (uh KYA-hir) – Four.
The birth rate for Ireland in 2022 was 11.675 births per 1000 people, a 2.81% decline from 2021. The birth rate for Ireland in 2021 was 12.013 births per 1000 people, a 2.74% decline from 2020. The birth rate for Ireland in 2020 was 12.352 births per 1000 people, a 2.66% decline from 2019.