- The Gods and the Supernatural -
cornucopia is frequently present in emphasis of the symbolism of abundance.
Occasionally, this simple fertility imagery is subtly changed, so that the symbols of
fecund plenty are accompanied or partially replaced by motifs of the Fates, such
as a balance or spindle, reflective of the thread of life. In these images, the rolled
napkin may instead be interpreted as a scroll, the Book of Life (Green 1989:
192-3; Esperandieu nos. 3377,2081; Deyts 1976: no. 170; Thevenot 1968: 173-6). The
Celto-Germanic mother-goddesses are distinctive in their imagery: they never
reflect human fertility, but instead their attributes are those of fruit, bread or coins,
symbolic of prosperity and commercial success (Figure 25.7). Moreover, these
Rhineland goddesses may represent different ages of womanhood: the central goddess
is always depicted as a young girl with flowing hair, whilst her flanking companions
are older and wear huge beehive-shaped bonnets or headdresses (von Petrikovits
1987: 241-54; Green 1989 : 194-8; Wild 1968: pI. 1). The triplistic character of many
mother-goddess images expresses the power of 'three' in Celtic religion, a significance
which transcends mere intensity of expression by means of repetition. Triplism is an
important characteristic of Celtic religious iconography, and triad ism may be
observed in imagery other than that of the Mothers. The Genii Cucullati were hooded
dwarves associated with fertility, and indeed with the Mothers themselves, and they
usually occur in threes. Gods with triple heads were depicted especially among the
Remi, the Aedui and Lingones; and a triple-horned bull was venerated particularly in
north-east Gaul (Green 199 I b: 100-8).
Figure 25.7 Pipe-clay group of the Rhenish mother-goddesses, with fruit, corn or coins in
their laps; Bonn, G ermany. Ht approx. 10 em. (Photo: author.)