Belenus

In Celtic mythology, Belenus (also Belinus, Belenos, Belinos, Belinu, Bellinus, Belus, Bel) was a deity worshipped in Gaul, Britain and Celtic areas of Italy and Austria. He had shrines from Aquilea on the Adriatic to Inveresk in Scotland. His name means "shining one" and he is associated with fire and healing. He may be the same deity as Belatu-Cadros. In the Roman period he was identified with Apollo. His wife was Belisama.

Welsh ancestor-deity Beli may be derived from Belenus, although his character and attributes are different. The Irish festival of Beltaine may also be connected, or may derive from the same Celtic root, bel-, "shining". The Irish mythical figure Bile ("sacred tree") is sometimes linked with Belenus, but neither the linguistics nor the myths match. 19th century attempts to link him with the Semitic deity Baal are even more tenuous and are now rejected.

The legendary kings Belinus and Heli in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain are probably also derived from this god.

The name of the ancient British king Cunobelinus means "hound of Belenus".

External links

• Associations between the Welsh Beli and the Irish Bile