The Celtic New Year or Halloween, choose what is closer to you, my esteemed Readers, invite us to move deeper in centuries and to ponder upon the Celtic French roots, yet too strong in the consciousness of the 17th century people. The region of Bretagne, that managed to save the spirit and plenty of national treasures until our days, is the best source to close the real history of the Celts, while the Breton Mythology is full of surprises for all folk lovers.
We should notice that Bretagne played an important trade role in the economy of the 17th century France. At Louis XIV’s time this province profited from the naval expansions. The main ports were built at Saint-Malo, Brest and Lorient, while Bretons were always welcome in the navy and participated actively in the colonization of New France and West Indies. However, the rebellion of 1675, known as the Revolt of the Bonnets Rouges, might spoil the positive impression of the epoch, as it was repressed in a very hostile way. The atrocity of soldiers was the result of their characters, though, and never came from His Majesty’s orders.
Anyhow, let’s return to the Breton mythology. Among its numerous amazing characters, Korrigans, Sirens of Bretagne, are associated with the Halloween. They are sirens, prototypes of the ones lived in the region, (there are numerous historical proves and even Antoine de Furetiere’s dictionary mentions about mermaids living in France) sometimes described as fairies with golden hair. It is believed that they are linked with the dead and represent a sort of a race, forming invisible inhabitants of Bretagne. They are fond of dancing and can foretell the future. Some folk perceives them as doomed human souls, who wandered the earth after their tragic deaths. Besides, they could lure men with their beauty and then kill them.
Regarding the Halloween, they say that some of them might become visible that night near the ancient dolmens, Tumuli and Menhirs, waiting for their victims. As we might see, there is a sophisticated connection between the Divine, beauty & death in these beliefs as much as in the sense of Samhain. It is the time when darkness is welcomed by light, when death opens new paths for live, when ancestors come to help us.
Vive le Roy! 🙂
Maria KethuProfumo
PS: See more about Korrigans.
eternamenta 
This sent shivers up and down my spine. We don’t celebrate Halloween in South Africa.
being scared was already
tradition way back then!
at least they did not
have to pass out
inferior candy
to the masses 🙂
!!!! What a poetic view of Samhain, dear David! Thanks!
That Breton’s dance under Korrigians link you showed is marvellous. Thank you Maria.
Always at your service, my dear friend! 🙂 I’m interested in Breton folklore as well. So if you need something, just let me know. Next week I’m going to search the info about the white water. Have a nice week-end!
Reblogged this on Die Goldene Landschaft.