Who is Epona?

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Epona is one of the names for the Celtic horse goddess.

This name comes from the ancient Gaulish word epos=horse, on=title of divinity, and a=indicator of a feminine name. Put together, her name means something like "divine horse woman" or "divine mare." She was the only Celtic goddess embraced and worshipped by the Romans; Her shrines are found in the ruins of Roman stables and homes. In Ireland she is called Macha, and in Wales, Rhiannon.

As the protector of horses and their keepers, Epona could sometimes be seen riding through farm and ranch lands, through forests where men hunted, and near stables. Those lucky enough to glimpse her said she was a beautiful woman on a white horse who appeared only to be walking, but moved faster than a gallop. (Interesting to note that, although this amazingly fast walk is a magical property of Epona's horse, gaited horses were very popular as riding animals during the time these legends were being written down). In some stories she is riding the horse, in others she is the horse. At some point in her travels, Epona falls in love with a mortal man; in the Welsh story he is a prince, and in the Irish story, a widowed farmer. Happy in love, she turns away from her Otherworldly life and agrees to marry the man ... on one condition: he must never reveal her true identity to other people.

 

Epona riding.

Here she is shown riding sidesaddle and holding a torc, a Celtic necklace worn by persons of high social status.

 

Epona with two foals.

Images such as this were found in barns throughout the ancient world, on a shelf with room for flowers or other offerings.

Epona with asses.

This image, found in the Circus Maximus in Rome, is similar to the one above, except the animals with their heads in her lap are asses.