Beltane

Beltane
Beltane early 15c., from Lowland Scottish, from Gaelic bealltainn "May 1," important Celtic religious rite marking the start of summer, probably lit. "blazing fire," from PIE root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn" (see BLEACH (Cf. bleach)) + O.Ir. ten "fire," from PIE *tepnos, related to L. tepidus "warm." But this derivation of the second element is hotly disputed by some on philological grounds, and fires were equally important in the other Celtic holidays.
The rubbish about Baal, Bel, Belus imported into the word from the Old Testament and classical antiquity, is outside the scope of scientific etymology. [OED]
Also known as "Old May Day," because after the 1752 calendar reform it continued to be reckoned according to Old Style; it was one of the quarter-days of ancient Scotland.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Beltane — Beltane, auch Beltene, Beltaine, Bhealltainn oder Bealtaine (irisch [ bʼeltanʼe]), ist im irischen Kalender der Sommeranfang. Das Fest trägt auch den Namen Cétsamuin (kymrisch Cyntefin), dieser Name bezog sich auf den Beginn der schönen… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Beltane — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Beltane Beltane o Bealtaine (en irlandés Buenfuego) es un antiguo día festivo irlandés celebrado el 1 de mayo. Históricamente esta festividad se celebraba en Irlanda, Escocia y …   Wikipedia Español

  • Beltane — Bel tane, n. [Gael. bealltainn, bealltuinn.] [1913 Webster] 1. The first day of May (Old Style). [1913 Webster] The quarter days anciently in Scotland were Hallowmas, Candlemas, Beltane, and Lammas. New English Dict. [1913 Webster] 2. A festival… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Beltane — [bel′tān΄] n. [Scot < Gael Bealtainn] Celtic May Day …   English World dictionary

  • Beltane — Infobox Holiday holiday name = Beltane type = Pagan caption = official name = nickname = Lá Bealtaine, Bealltainn, Beltain, Beltaine observedby = Gaels, Irish People, Scottish People, Manx people, Neopagans begins = ends = date = Northern… …   Wikipedia

  • Beltane — /bel tayn, tin/, n. an ancient Celtic festival observed on May Day in Scotland and Ireland to mark the beginning of summer. [1375 1425; late ME (Scots) < ScotGael bealltainn, OIr bel(l)taine, perh. equiv. to *bel an obscure element, perh. the… …   Universalium

  • Beltane — Beltaine Beltaine (Bealtaine, Beltane ou Beilteine) est la troisième des quatre grandes fêtes religieuses de l’année celtique protohistorique, fêtée le 1er mai. Elle vient après Samain et Imbolc et marque la fin de la saison sombre et le… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Beltane — Bel|tane an ancient Celtic celebration on May 1st when fires were built ( Beltane fires) and the cattle brought to them to guard against illness in the coming year …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Beltane —    This word, variously spelled and meaning bright fire or lucky fire , is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for *May Day, and is particularly associated with the custom of lighting *bonfires on the eve of the feast, to protect cattle from… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • Beltane Fire Festival — is an annual participatory arts event and ritual drama, held on April 30 on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. It is inspired by the ancient Gaelic festival of Beltane which was historically held on May eve and marked the beginning of summer. The modern… …   Wikipedia

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