| Death to the Irish has always been looked on | | | | still close to this world in the memorial |
| as completion of the circle of life, this | | | | tradition, it is common for people to say |
| circle is illustrated in Celtic crosses | | | | before they pass on, that they have seen a |
| within in Celtic artwork, it is shown by the | | | | loved one who has gone before them. It is |
| three connected spirals, as displayed in | | | | also not unusual for this death to be |
| Newgrange, symbolising birth, life, death. | | | | pre-Informed. Death in Irish is called |
| Circles have always fascinated the Celtic | | | | “Bas”; it is not something that |
| world and they are constantly present in | | | | just occurs, but rather an entity that you |
| Irish myths and legends. Time was circular, | | | | receive. Signs were traditionally, three |
| rather than linear, winter gave way to | | | | knocks on the door, the cry of a banshee, |
| spring, and the cycle began again. | | | | animals coming in to your house. There are |
| | | | many different ways, but all were signs of |
| The period of mourning that is winter is | | | | “Bas” on the way. |
| immediately followed by spring and rebirth. | | | | |
| The next worlds and this world are | | | | When it occurred, it was not a sad time, but |
| inextricably linked, it was not a sealed | | | | when you entered the eternal life and left |
| border, but liable to be crossed at anytime | | | | pain and suffering behind. As it says in a |
| but especially at key dates such as Samhain, | | | | traditional prayer, about death “ I am |
| from which the modern Halloween festival came | | | | going home with thee, to thy home of Autumn, |
| from. People dressed up in costumes so as to | | | | spring and summer.” The cold, sleeping |
| confuse the spirits of the dead, who crossed | | | | season of winter, no longer exists. The body |
| from their side to ours. Indeed within the | | | | once the burial began, was only seen as a |
| Irish tradition, this crossing was not feared | | | | shell. This was the reason behind the Irish |
| but respected, people wore costumes so that | | | | wake, a “party” that symbolised |
| the spirits would not get lost in this world. | | | | the soul being set free from its physical |
| | | | bounds. |
| The departed have always been considered | | | | |