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Beltane Has Scottish Gaelic Roots
To the ancient Celts, May Day marked the start of summer, and a critical time when the boundaries between the human and supernatural worlds were removed, requiring that people take special measures to protect themselves against enchantments. The Beltane fire festival originated in a summer ritual in which cattle were herded between two huge bonfires to protect them from evil and disease. The word Beltane has been used in English since the 15th century, but the earliest known instance of the word in print—as well as the description of that summer ritual—is from 500 years previous: it appears in an Irish glossary commonly attributed to Cormac, a king and bishop who lived in the south of Ireland, near the end of the first millennium.
Examples of Beltane in a Sentence
Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 1 May 2024
Also known as Beltane in many parts of Europe, this festival celebrates the beginning of summer and open pasturing.
—Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
Her mind immediately went to Beltane, a festival during which both Yen and Ciri were born.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 12 May 2023
Claire first traveled back in time just after the festival of Beltane (the Gaelic May Day festival which falls between the spring equinox and the summer solstice).
—Emma Dibdin, Town & Country, 23 June 2023
One of the most important celebrations in Celtic culture was Beltane, a festival which marked the end of the dark months (fall and winter) and beginning of the light months (spring and summer).
—Kate Franke, Woman's Day, 25 Apr. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near Beltane
Cite this Entry
“Beltane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Beltane. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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