Samhain, the Ancient Celtic precursor to Halloween, is a time to honor the earth, to exalt the ones we love who have passed on, and to dance along the thinning edges of the veil that divides what is seen from what is unseen.
In this print, you’ll find imagery that honors the rituals and traditions of pre-Christian Ireland.
The snakes are a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Pagans who St. Patrick is believed to have driven out of Ireland with Christianity. The acorns, oak leaves, and the Dara Knot all represent the Oak Tree which was sacred to the Ancient Celtic Druids. A ring of Marasmius oreades mushrooms make a fairy ring (also called a fairy circle) since it was believed that Samhain was a great time for the fae to cause mischief. Antlers represent The Wild Hunt, better known in Irish folklore as the Sluagh na Marbh or “Host of the Dead.” Crescent moons symbolize the end stages of one cycle and the beginning of another. Apples are present as well, as they have always been a symbol of the late harvest season and were believed to have connections to the Otherworld in Celtic mythology. Octagonal keys represent the eight spokes on the neopagan Wheel of the Year. Deathhead Hawkmoths (which are not indigenous to Ireland but have been spotted there!) act as a memento mori since Samhain, like Halloween and other cultural celebrations that occur around this time, was also a festival of the dead. Lastly, the turnips are an ode to the humble root vegetables that had faces carved into them long before the classic pumpkin.
Available in 5×7” and 8×10”.
Giclée fine art prints are printed on cardstock using high-quality pigment ink. Packaged with care in a cellophane sleeve with a backing board.
R E T U R N S: I do not accept returns and can arrange exchanges on a case-by-case basis - please contact me if you have any questions or are dissatisfied with your order.
Samhain, the Ancient Celtic precursor to Halloween, is a time to honor the earth, to exalt the ones we love who have passed on, and to dance along the thinning edges of the veil that divides what is seen from what is unseen.
In this print, you’ll find imagery that honors the rituals and traditions of pre-Christian Ireland.
The snakes are a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Pagans who St. Patrick is believed to have driven out of Ireland with Christianity. The acorns, oak leaves, and the Dara Knot all represent the Oak Tree which was sacred to the Ancient Celtic Druids. A ring of Marasmius oreades mushrooms make a fairy ring (also called a fairy circle) since it was believed that Samhain was a great time for the fae to cause mischief. Antlers represent The Wild Hunt, better known in Irish folklore as the Sluagh na Marbh or “Host of the Dead.” Crescent moons symbolize the end stages of one cycle and the beginning of another. Apples are present as well, as they have always been a symbol of the late harvest season and were believed to have connections to the Otherworld in Celtic mythology. Octagonal keys represent the eight spokes on the neopagan Wheel of the Year. Deathhead Hawkmoths (which are not indigenous to Ireland but have been spotted there!) act as a memento mori since Samhain, like Halloween and other cultural celebrations that occur around this time, was also a festival of the dead. Lastly, the turnips are an ode to the humble root vegetables that had faces carved into them long before the classic pumpkin.
Available in 5×7” and 8×10”.
Giclée fine art prints are printed on cardstock using high-quality pigment ink. Packaged with care in a cellophane sleeve with a backing board.
R E T U R N S: I do not accept returns and can arrange exchanges on a case-by-case basis - please contact me if you have any questions or are dissatisfied with your order.
