Celtic druids and their influence on the culture of other ethni groups

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the cultural heritage of the Druids and identify common features in the Celtic pagan culture and the culture of the ancient Slavs. The research methodology assumes the unity of such methodological approaches as a system-historical and comparative analysis method. The system-historical method allows revealing of the cultural traditions of the Celts of the pre-Christian period. The comparative method helped to identify similarities in the cultural systems of the Celts and Slavs. Scientific novelty lies in an attempt to comprehend the religious and spiritual life of the Druids as part of the Celtic culture, as well as in substantiating the influence of the culture of the Druids on the culture of other ethnic groups. Conclusions. The origins of Celtic civilization are rooted in Indo-European antiquity. Druids are a symbol of Britain. Ancient authors, in their few historical works, consider the spiritual life of Celtic Druid priests through the prism of their own views and judgments, which does not give a complete picture of Druidism, in general. The Christianization of Britain led to the persecution and physical extermination of the Druids and their spiritual heritage. Celtic traditions were dissolved in the Christian religion. It was revealed that the Celts and the ancient Slavs had a similar picture of the creation of the world, solar symbolism, ritualism and the sacrifice system, which suggests that the pagan traditions of the Celts penetrate deeper into the European continent.