Taranis holds a significant position as a formidable deity within the Celtic pantheon, renowned as the god of thunder, lightning, and storms. Commonly portrayed alongside a wheel, this symbol reflects the celestial nature of storms and likely ties him to themes of the cosmic wheel or the seasons’ cyclical nature.
Who is Taranis?
Taranis is an ancient, pan-Celtic god worshiped across various regions of Western Europe, including Gaul (encompassing modern-day France, Belgium, Germany, and parts of Switzerland, Northern Italy, and the Netherlands). His influence also stretched to Britain, Ireland, Hispania (now Spain), as well as the Rhineland and Danube areas.
Recognized as a thunder and lightning god, Taranis is also linked to weather and the sky. He personifies the storm deity archetype, often pictured wielding a thunderbolt, akin to how others might use a spear.
In stories, he is characterized as a fearsome entity, controlling nature’s destructive forces. Roman poet Lucan noted the extent of his worship, which allegedly involved human sacrifices, although archaeological evidence to support this practice remains absent.
Though Taranis is a prominent figure in Celtic mythology, much of his story remains enigmatic.
Taranis the Wheel God
Often called the Wheel God, Taranis’s connection to the wheel is a vital aspect of his identity. This symbol, referred to as Rouelles, is significant in Celtic culture and mythology. Wheel motifs have been discovered throughout the ancient Celtic world, appearing in shrines, burial sites, and settlements dating back to the Middle Bronze Age.
Furthermore, wheels appear on coins and as pendants, amulets, or brooches, typically crafted from bronze. Some of these items were ceremoniously cast into rivers, enhancing Taranis’s associations with mobility and transport.
The wheel, a foundational tool for the Celts, underscores their prowess in transportation, vital for both people and goods.
Why Was Taranis Associated With the Wheel?
Taranis’s connection to the wheel is likely rooted in the rapidity with which he could summon storms, a phenomenon that instilled fear in ancient peoples. The wheels often depicted alongside Taranis frequently sport six or eight spokes, resembling a chariot wheel rather than a four-spoked solar wheel.
While the precise meaning behind Taranis’s wheel has been obscured by time, scholars speculate it links to ancient interpretations of the natural world. The Celts shared a belief similar to numerous predecessors that celestial bodies, like the sun and moon, were drawn across the skies by divine chariots.
Thus, Taranis’s wheel may symbolize a solar chariot traversing the heavens on a daily basis.
Etymology of Taranis
The name Taranis derives from the Proto-Indo-European word for thunder, tracing back to the Proto-Celtic term Toranos. It is believed that his original name was either Tanaro or Tanarus, both of which convey meanings related to thunderous phenomena.
The Origin of Taranis
Worship of Taranis dates back to prehistoric times when Proto-Indo-European speakers traveled across Europe, reaching regions such as India and the Middle East. As these groups settled, they disseminated their beliefs and deities influencing local cultures.
What Does Taranis Look Like?
In Celtic lore, Taranis is frequently represented as a bearded and muscular warrior, brandishing a wheel and a thunderbolt. His appearance embodies vigor, suggesting he is neither young nor old but embodies the strength of a warrior.
Taranis in the Historical Record
Our understanding of Taranis primarily stems from Roman writings and inscriptions, with references scattered across Latin and Greek texts found in places like Godramstein, Germany, Chester, Britain, and various sites in France and Yugoslavia.
The earliest literary acknowledgment of this thunder god emerges in Lucan’s “Pharsalia,” an epic poem penned in 48 BCE, which outlines the myths and pantheon of the Celts in Gaul, including Taranis, who was tied with the Celtic gods Esus and Teutatis known for agriculture and tribal protection respectively.
Lucan’s work highlights parallels between Roman and Celtic-Norse deities, noting the Romans assimilated many aspects of Celtic worship following their conquests.
Taranis in Art
Evidence of Taranis is seen in notable artifacts, such as a bronze statue discovered in France’s Le Chatelet cave, likely crafted between the 1st and 2nd centuries. This depiction confirms his identity through the iconic thunderbolt and wheel.
Additionally, the Gundestrup Cauldron—an exquisite silver artifact created between 200 and 300 BCE—features a panel depicting a bearded deity who appears to represent Taranis, notably holding a broken wheel.
The Role of Taranis in Celtic Mythology
Through myth, Taranis commands the sky and can summon fierce storms, positioning him as a protective figure within the Celtic pantheon. However, like many storm deities, his temper could lead to sudden catastrophic events affecting the mortal realm.
Much of Taranis’s mythology remains undiscovered, primarily due to its oral transmission, leaving numerous stories lost to history.
Taranis in Other Mythologies
Taranis is not limited to Celtic worship; he appears in Irish mythology as Tuireann, featured in tales surrounding Lugh, the god associated with justice. To the Romans, he was identified with Jupiter, who also wielded a thunderbolt and presided over the sky. Curiously, Taranis has connections to the Cyclops Brontes in Roman myth, with names both translating to ‘thunder.’
In contemporary culture, Taranis has appeared in Marvel comics, where he serves as a rival to Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
