The Kelpie...

If you have seen Celtic artwork, I am sure you have seen this image, but did you know the meaning of it? It is of the Kelpie. The Kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland. The name may have orginated from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach or colpach 'heifer, colt.

It's hide is supposed to be black (though in some stories it was white), and it will appear to be a lost pony, but don't be fooled, you can identify it by it's constantly dripping mane. It's skin, like that of a seal, is smooth, but is as cold as death when touched. The horse's appearance is strong, powerful, and breathtaking. Water horses are also known to transform into beautiful women in order to lure men into their traps, and vice versa. It is understood that the nostril of the horse is what creates the illusion of grandeur. The water horse also creates illusions to keep itself hidden, keeping only it's eye above water to scout the surface, much like the illusion of a fish's pupil. (Could this be what is in Loch Ness???) It is wise to keep away from them.

As the fable of the Kelpie differs depending on the region in which it is told, other versions of the story says that the Kelpie is "green as glass with a black mane and tail that curves over it's back like a wheel" or that even in human form they are always dripping wet and/or have water weeds in their hair.

The creature can take many forms and has an insatiable appetite for humans. It's most common guise was that of a beautiful tame horse standing by the riverside, a tempting ride for a weary traveller. Anyone foolish enough to mount the horse, perhaps a stranger unaware of the local traditions, would find themselves in dire peril, as the horse would rear and charge headlong into the deepest part of the water, submerging with a noise like thunder to the travellers watery grave. The Kelpie was also said to warn of impending storms by wailing and howling, which would carry on through the tempest. This association with thunder, the sound it's tail makes as it submerges under water, and storms, may be related to ancient worship of river and weather deities by the ancient Celts.

In an Irish tale, towards the end of the mystical period of Ireland, a water horse fails to travel to Tír na nÓg with its fellow mystic folk, and instead rises above water, seeking a wife. However, after attempting to court a clever girl, who consults the wiseman about the situation, he is captured and forced to work in order to be taught compassion. After learning his lesson, he is given the choice of departing to Tír na nÓg, or drinking a magic potion that will make him a real man. The water horse, now full of love decides to drink the potion which erases the memories of his life as a water horse and gives him the chance to live with the clever girl with whom he has fallen in love.