Lughnasadh

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional harvest festival celebrated in Celtic cultures, marking the beginning of the grain harvest season
2. An ancient ceremony held in honor of the god Lugh, often involving feasting, games, and communal activities
3. A significant occasion in Gaelic tradition that signifies abundance and gratitude for the harvest bounty

Etymology: Lughnasadh is named for Lugh, the Irish god of skill and craft, whom the festival honours. The Old Irish form "Lugnasad" is usually analysed as the name Lugh combined with a second element meaning an assembly or gathering, so the name points to a gathering in Lugh's honour. Over time the festival name became the Irish word for August, "Lúnasa", and the older spelling survives in English as the name of the harvest festival itself. The date is the key to the word's meaning. Lughnasadh falls at the start of August, when the first grain was cut and the harvest season began, so the name of the god and the name of the month came to be tied to the same turn of the year. In Irish the month and the festival are still closely linked, which is why the festival name and the month name are so close in form.

Synonyms: Lammas, harvest festival, Celtic festival