Ireland's OWN: Celtic Symbols

Ogham, The Celtic Alphabet
—by Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh

The ancient Celts had a kinship with trees which is shown in their magical alphabet and in their Tree Calendar. The old Celtic word for oak (Duir); the word Derwydd or Duirwydd (oak-seer) is believed to be the origin of the word Druid.

The Celts believed that many tress were inhabited by spirits, as some trees are found to have a strong aura surrounding them. They also believed that the aura of certain trees could have a healing influence on humans. Thus, it was from the Celts that the terms, “touch wood” and “knock on wood” originated.

The Celtic alphabet known as Ogham (pronounced "Oh-yam") comprises three sets of five consonants and one set of five vowels, a total of 20 letters.

In keeping with Druidic concepts, each of the Ogham's 20 letters bears the name of a tree. However, not all of the 20 plants of the Ogham were found in the post-Christian Celtic era. Scholars now believe that the Ogham predates the first century AD and probably originated in the valley of the Rhine River, home of the Iron Age La Tené culture that is regarded to be ancestral to the Celts.

The trees of the Ogham alphabet were divided into three classifications representing their order of importance to the druids. The letters were classified as Chieftains, Peasants and Shrubs. Additionally, there was a Grove symbol and Sea symbols. The last five syllables are called Crane Bag and were given by the sea god, Mannanan.

For divination, the sticks engraved with Ogham letters are held in both hands whilst meditating, then gently tossed. The sticks closest to you represent the present; the farthest represent the future; and, any sticks that touch or overlap have a direct and enhanced influence on each others. Oghams can also be engraved on candles or used in writing out requests during Wiccan rituals.

The name Ogham or Ogam (Ohm) was derived from that of the Celtic god of literature and poetry, Ogma. His "golden speech" was recorded in Gaelic artwork as a fine gold chain linking the tip of his tongue to ears of a group of followers.

Ogma was a son of Danu and Dagda and a member of the Tuatha de Danaan. He was killed at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh after taking away Balor's sword. In art, he was depicted as an old man with a bald head and wearing a lion skin. Ogma is also known as Ogmios (Gaul) and Ogmios Sun Face.

Alternatively, some sources say Ogma was the son of Brighid. He survived the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh, and goes on the quest for Dagda's harp, and is given a síd after the Milesian victory.

Sources:

Clark C. “Natural history of the trees of the Celtic Ogham.” Circle Network News, 17 (2):12-13 (Issue 56, Summer 1995).
Conway DJ. Celtic Magic, Llewellyn Worldwide, 1994.
Matthews C, Matthews J. The Encyclopædia of Celtic Wisdom: A Celtic Shaman’s Sourcebook, Element Books, 1994.