Cernunnos facts for kids

A picture of Cernunnos from the Pilier des nautes, Paris, France.

Cernunnos (also spelled Cernenus and Cern) is an ancient Celtic god from the lands of western Europe. The Celts were a group of people who lived across Europe thousands of years ago.

Cernunnos is often shown with horns, especially like those of a stag (a male deer). Because of this, he is linked to nature, animals, and new life. Some people also see him as a god of the underworld, which is a spiritual place connected to death and the spirits of the dead.

Most of what we know about Cernunnos comes from two old pictures. One picture was found in France, and the other was found in Germany. These images help us understand how the ancient Celts saw and worshipped him.

Who Was Cernunnos?

Cernunnos is a mysterious figure from Celtic mythology. He was worshipped by the ancient Celts, who lived across parts of Europe, including what is now France, Germany, and Britain. He is often called a "horned god" because of his distinctive appearance.

What Did Cernunnos Represent?

Cernunnos is strongly connected to the natural world. He is often shown sitting among animals, especially stags. This link to animals suggests he was a god of the wild, forests, and hunting.

He is also associated with:

• Fertility: Because he is linked with male animals, Cernunnos is sometimes seen as a god who brings new life and growth.
• Wealth: Some images show him holding bags of coins or other symbols of riches. This suggests he might have been connected to trade and prosperity.
• The Underworld: In some beliefs, Cernunnos was also a god of the underworld. This means he might have been seen as a guardian of spirits or a guide for the dead.

Where Do We Find Information About Cernunnos?

Unlike some other ancient gods, there are no written stories or myths about Cernunnos that have survived. All our knowledge comes from archaeological finds, mainly carvings and artworks.

The most famous images of Cernunnos include:

• The Pilier des Nautes: This is a stone pillar found in Paris, France. It shows Cernunnos with antlers, sitting among animals.
• The Gundestrup Cauldron: This large silver pot was found in Denmark. It features a detailed image of a horned figure, believed to be Cernunnos, surrounded by animals.

These ancient artworks give us clues about how the Celts imagined and honored this important god.

Images for kids

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  The Cernunnos-type antlered figure or horned god, on the Gundestrup Cauldron, on display, at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.

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  Rock carving of an antlered figure in the National park of Naquane, Italy.