Druid (disambiguation) facts for kids

A Druid can mean several things. It most often refers to ancient priests from Celtic times. But it can also mean a modern religious practice, or even a type of character in fantasy games and stories.

Ancient Druids: Priests of the Celts

The original Druids were important people in the ancient Celtic societies. They lived in parts of Europe like Britain, Ireland, and Gaul (modern-day France). They were not just priests, but also judges, teachers, and healers.

These ancient Druids knew a lot about nature and the stars. They held ceremonies in sacred groves of trees. They taught people about their gods and the natural world. Most of what we know about them comes from Roman writers, as the Druids did not write things down themselves.

Modern Druidism: A Nature-Focused Faith

Today, there are people who follow a modern spiritual path called Neo-druidism. This practice is inspired by what is known about the ancient Druids. It is a type of Neo-paganism, which means it's a modern religion based on older, nature-focused beliefs.

Modern Druids often celebrate the changing seasons. They respect nature and the Earth. They might gather in natural places for their ceremonies. An Archdruid is a high priest or leader in some Neo-druid groups.

Druids in Fantasy and Games

The idea of a Druid is very popular in fantasy stories and video games. In these worlds, a Druid is usually a magical character. They often have special powers linked to nature, animals, or plants.

Druids in Dungeons & Dragons

In the famous role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Druids are a character class. They are like magical priests of nature. They can cast spells that use the power of the natural world. They can also often change into animal forms.

Druids in World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is a huge online role-playing game (an MMORPG). In this game, Druids are also a playable character class. They can heal allies, fight enemies, and transform into different animal shapes like bears or cats. They use nature magic to help their friends and protect the wild.

Merlin: The Legendary Wizard

The famous wizard Merlin from the legends of King Arthur is sometimes seen as a type of Druid. He is a powerful magic-user who is deeply connected to nature and ancient wisdom. He often gives advice to King Arthur.

Druids in Shannara Novels

In the Shannara series of fantasy novels by Terry Brooks, Druids are a special group. They are historians, philosophers, and magic-users. They work to preserve knowledge and protect the world.

Druids in Movies and Games

The idea of Druids has also appeared in movies and computer games.

Druids (2001 Film)

There was a 2001 film simply called Druids. It was about a Celtic druid who fought against the armies of Ancient Rome. The movie showed the struggles of the Celtic people against the Roman Empire.

Druid (Computer Game)

Druid was also the name of a computer game released for the Commodore 64. This was a popular home computer in the 1980s.