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Free Delivery - UK Over £80, International Over £200
Free Delivery - UK Over £80, International Over £200
9 min read
What is the Ogham Alphabet? The answer is that it is one of the oldest known writing systems from Ireland. If you have ever visited Ireland or studied Celtic history, you might have come across tall standing stones marked with strange lines and notches, which are part of the Ogham Alphabet. It uses straight lines on the edge of a stone or piece of stone, representing a letter.
While it may look mysterious to many, the Ogham Alphabet was an excellent way to record names, mark territories, and preserve memory in early Ireland. This blog thoroughly discusses Ogham’s history, meaning, structure, symbols, uses, and tips for reading it.
The history of the Ogham Alphabet dates back to around the 4th to 6th century AD, during the medieval period. It was that time when Irish tribes used to live in Ireland. They had rich culture, traditions, and values, which are believed to have led to the creation of the Ogham Alphabet.
However, some scholars and historians suggest that Ogham might have even earlier roots, possibly dating back to the 1st century AD.
There have been many arguments and discussions regarding the origin of the Ogham Alphabet. No matter where or when it originated, Ogham became a powerful cultural symbol in Ireland. It is also described as the “Celtic Tree Alphabet” because of its symbolic connection to nature.
Here are the two theories about how the Ogham Alphabet developed:
The first renowned theory is a native Irish invention. It means that Ogham was created in Ireland. Its idea comes from the sounds of the early Irish language, and the letters were inspired by them. In other words, it was a system designed to capture the unique sounds of Gaelic, which did not fit easily into Latin letters at that time.
Another common theory is the influence of Latin. It means that Ogham was inspired by the Latin alphabet. It was brought to Ireland through trade, contact with Roman Britain, or Christian missionaries. The Ogham Alphabet system might have been a clever adaptation that allowed Irish people to record their own words while borrowing ideas from outside influences.
What does Irish methodology say?According to the Irish legend, Ogham was invented by the wise and cunning god Ogma Sun-Fce (Oghma Griananinech). He was a member of the supernatural Tuata De Danann tribe, known as a warrior-poet. It is said that he created it as a “sign language” for the learnt. It was a secret way of communication that was both elegant and discreet. This mythological origin story highlights that high status was associated with literacy and knowledge in Cetic culture. |
The Ogham Alphabet comprises 20 original characters. However, later research expanded them to 25. Each Ogham character is formed by one to five strokes or notches cut along a central line. This line is usually the corner edge of a stone or piece of wood, which is also known as Ogham Stone.
The Ogham characters are divided into four main groups, which are called aicmi (plural of aicme). This is how they are categorised:
First Aicme:These are straight lines to the right side of the stem line.
Second Aicme:These are straight lines to the left side of the stem line.
Third Aicme:These are straight lines across the stem line
Fourth Aicme:These are notches or diagonal marks across the stem line.
Now, each aicme contains five characters, ultimately making up the 20 core symbols. Every stroke or notch in the Ogham Alphabet has a name according to its quantity. They don’t increase from five. So, no matter how many Ogham symbols are written, one can effortlessly identify them, provided that they have learnt them efficiently. Here’s how:
One Stroke = “B” (Beith)
Two strokes = "L" (Luis)
Three strokes = "F" (Fearn)
Four strokes = "S" (Saille)
Five strokes = "N" (Nion)
This pattern repeats on and on in each Ogham group. As a result, it makes the Ogham Alphabet systematic and easy to learn for those familiar with it.
As we have discussed the structure of the Ogham Alphabet, we are now going to reveal some surprising yet interesting aspects of the Ogham, which is its connection to trees and nature. In ancient Irish culture, each Ogham character did not only represent a sound but was also connected to a tree or plant. Due to this shocking revelation, Ogham is sometimes called the Tree Alphabet.
According to historic scriptures and paintings, trees hold deep symbolic meaning in Celtic culture. They were seen as sacred, as they represented life, wisdom, and connection to the spiritual world. When Celtic tribes used trees as symbols for the Ogham Alphabet, it gave them a layer of meaning that was beyond simple writing. Here is how Ogham letters are associated with trees:
B (Beith) =Birch
L (Luis) =Rowan
F (Fearn) =Alder
S (Saille) =Willow
N (Nion) =Ash
Few studies indicate that there is no evidence that the earliest Ogham artisans thought of the characters as trees. The names are expected to have been added later to help remember the alphabet. As you know, it is much easier to remember a list of trees than abstract sounds.
As the centuries passed, especially during the Christian monastic period in Ireland, scholars began to assign deeper, more symbolic meanings to each Ogham letter or tree. After some time, these meanings blended with native Irish lore, Latin Learning, and Christian symbolism. This is how the Ogham Alphabet that we know of today reached us.
As we have thoroughly discussed how the Ogham Alphabet was historically linked to trees and their significance, now let’s explore how they were used. Whenever an ancient language emerged over the face of the present earth, historians, even after they crack each and every word, scratch their heads to understand how this certain language was used. In the case of the Ogham Alphabet, it had both practical and cultural uses, such as:
The most common use of the Ogham Alphabet that is presently prominent is on the standing stones. These Ogham markings usually recorded names, which were often used to mark burial sites, land boundaries, and commemorations of important people.
Do you know? There are over 400 Ogham stones that have been discovered in present times. They have mainly become historical sites in Ireland, but also in Wales, Scotland, and England, where their fragments are found.
According to some ancient texts, the Ogham Alphabet was also carved into wooden sticks or staves. Well, ancient texts don’t confirm it, but historians suggested that these portable records may have been used for short notes, messages, or teaching. However, none of them have survived because wood decays over time, just like humans.
The Ogham Alphabet has also been used for magical and symbolic purposes. It was sometimes connected to mystical or magical traditions. However, druids and poets may have also used it for divination or secret communication. The symbolic link of Ogham letters with trees also made them meaningful in various spiritual practices.
We have till now shed light on the fact that the Ogham Alphabet was an ancient Irish writing system. However, the Ogham is more than a writing system; it is a key to understanding early Irish society. Here is how it is culturally important:
⭕Language Preservation:The Ogham Alphabet significantly helps us to understand language preservation. It gives us some of the earliest written records of the Old Irish language. Consequently, it greatly helps linguists trace the development of Gaelic.
⭕Identity and Heritage:The Ogham Alphabet gives us a message about identity and heritage. When ancient Irish people carved their names into stones, they effectively preserved family identities, lineages, and land claims. It was their way of saying, we belong here”.
⭕Art and Symbolism:The Ogham Alphabet has also become an artistic and creative symbol. Nowadays, it is often used in jewellery, tattoos, and art to symbolise Irish identity, heritage, and a connection to nature.
As we have discussed in detail, how the Ogham Alphabet was historically used and what its symbolism or cultural significance was. Now, it’s time to see how Ogham letters are relevant in modern times. Although the Ogham Alphabet stopped being used widely after the medieval period, it has never been forgotten. Today, it is comprehensively studied by historians and celebrated in Irish culture.
This is how modernisation has made the Ogham Alphabet culturally relevant:
The Ogham has significantly become a remarkable landmark for tourism and heritage sites. Many visitors, when they come to Ireland, can still see Ogham stones in museums and on ancient sites. These stones are powerful reminders of the island’s past.
While it was used widely for mystical or magical purposes, Ogham symbols and designs are now used by craftspeople to manufacture jewellery in silver, gold, or wood. This makes those symbols a way to celebrate Celtic heritage.
Nowadays, the Ogham Alphabet has become digitally relevant, as it has made its way to various digital platforms. Unicode includes all Ogham characters. It means that they can be typed effortlessly and shared on computers and phones.
No matter how old a script is, our excellent historians find a way to read it or teach it. This is the reason why many ancient languages have survived globally. This is also the case with Ogham characters. Linguists have found many ways to read it, learn it, and use it efficiently in their daily lives. If you also want to learn how to read Ogham, here are some essential steps that you must follow:
The first step in reading Ogham is to know where the central line or stemline is. It is the main thing in the Ogham Alphabet, as all the strikes and notches are written along it. On Ogham stones, you can easily find the central line on the corner edge.
When you have found the stemline, the next step is to count the strokes. Look for one to five marks. Their quantity will significantly tell you which tree or plant they are associated with. Moreover, their direction tells you which letter it is.
To read the Ogham characters efficiently, one should also learn how to group them. If they are present on the right side of the central line, it is the first aicme. If they are on the left side, it is the second aicme. If they are across the stemline, it is the third aicme. However, if these are notches, they are the fourth aicme.
When you have successfully made groups of all marks, the next step is to match all of them. You can use an Ogham chart to connect the strokes to their Latin equivalents. This will tell you what name, location, or message was written in ancient Ireland.
Now, as you have matched all the letters with the Ogham chart, it’s time to practice them. It will exponentially solidify your understanding of the Ogham Alphabet, enhancing your insights about Irish culture and history. Most Ogham stones simply say “X son of Y”. So, start with these short phrases.
The main reason why the Ogham Alphabet still matters today and is studied by a large group of historians and students is that it connects them to an ancient past. It significantly shows how ancient tribes in Ireland valued language, identity, and nature, which was not even a thing during those times.
While it may seem like simple lines and notches, the Ogham Alphabet carries stories of families, culture, and spirituality.
However, if we aim to relate them in this modern world full of digital letters, the Ogham Alphabet reminds us that writing can be more than communication. While most spoken traditions can be lost, writing can be a heritage.
The Ogham Alphabet was mainly used to carve names and short inscriptions on stones. Moreover, it was also used on wood, which might have enabled it to serve different symbolic or magical uses.
There are 20 letters in the original Ogham Alphabet. They were divided into four groups, known as aicmi. Later on, five extra letters were added to the Ogham Alphabet, making it 25 in total.
Each letter of the Ogham Alphabet was associated with a tree or plant in Celtic tradition. Due to this, it gives the nickname “Tree Alphabet”.
Yes, many historians and history enthusiasts can read Ogham, but by using charts. Many Ogham stones have been translated into modern languages.
Most Ogham stones are located in Ireland, especially in the southwest. However, some are also found in Wales, Scotland, and England. Many museums and heritage sites also often display them.