Epona: The Celtic Goddess of Horses
Epona, known as the Great Mare, stands prominently as a Goddess of Horses revered among the Gauls. Despite her significance, extensive information regarding her remains sparse.
The legends of the Gaulish Celts have largely disappeared over time, as much of what we know stems mainly from inscriptions and monuments rather than the direct myths which were mostly preserved by early Christian scribes documenting British Celtic tales. Although these narratives have faded, Epona’s legacy survives in archaeological finds across Europe.
One notable origin story that has been passed down involves a late Greek writer, Agesilaos, who recounts that Epona was conceived through the union of a mare and a man named Phoulonios Stellos. Choosing to forsake human women, Stellos mated with the mare, which ultimately gave birth to a spirited daughter named Epona, marking her as the Horse Goddess. In Celtic tradition, the act of naming holds significance for one’s destiny; thus, Epona’s naming suggests her mother may have possessed divine qualities, and hints at a lineage tied to an earlier Horse Goddess.
Artifacts depicting Epona have been discovered in various locations, from stables to barns across Europe. Often, small niches in walls contained sculptures of the Goddess, adorned with roses or accompanied by depictions of a mare’s head. The German legions also crafted plaques portraying her in a human form, sometimes with foals. Artistic representations usually show Epona as a woman interacting with horses, highlighting her potential connection to the Great Mother Goddess. In some images, she carries a cornucopia—symbolizing land and fertility—as well as keys representing a possible link to the underworld, along with birds that signify an idyllic afterlife.
In the British Isles, the Uffington White Horse remains one of the largest dedications possibly honoring Epona, though it is uncertain whether it was created by her worshipers.
Epona is regarded as one of the few Gaulish deities whose name transcended into broader Roman culture. This transition likely occurred when Roman cavalry stationed in Gaul adopted her as their guardian, particularly as many of these cavalrymen hailed from Gaul, renowned for their equestrian skills. The Romans took Epona to various parts of their empire, including Rome, where she was honored with a feast day on December 18th. There, she was worshipped as Epona Augusta or Epona Regina, with invocations made in the context of imperial authority. Notably, her shrine was located within the barracks of the Imperial Bodyguard.
Epona’s connection to sovereignty may intertwine with her role as a horse goddess, emphasizing ties to land and fertility. This association is particularly pronounced given that she was invoked for the Roman Emperor, hinting at an element of rulership intertwined with the symbolism of horses. In certain kingship rituals, the king was required to mate with a mare and then partake in a ritual involving a broth made from the mare, underscoring the deep cultural significance of horse symbolism. While many deities feature horses as sacred animals, Epona’s unique bond to the land and fertility sets her apart, elevating her from mere equine patroness to a multifaceted goddess associated with fertility, rulership, and potentially the underworld.
For many, Epona embodies the spirit of all journeys—whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. As a Goddess representing the land and its cycles, as well as fertility in all forms, she is seen as a protective and nurturing presence. Her influence is observed in each new sprout of spring and every morsel harvested in autumn. The voice of Epona resonates through the gentle rustle of leaves and the melodious flow of rivers, solidifying her identity as the Great Mare.
