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Imbolc or Imbolg (pronounced ), also called (Saint) Brigid's Day ((アイルランド語:Lá Fhéile Bríde), (スコットランド・ゲール語:Là Fhèill Brìghde), (マン島語:Laa'l Breeshey)), is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring. Most commonly it is held on 1 February, or about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.〔Danaher, Kevin (1972) ''The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs'' Dublin, Mercier. ISBN 1-85635-093-2 pp. 38〕〔McNeill, F. Marian (1959, 1961) ''The Silver Bough'', Vol. 1–4. William MacLellan, Glasgow; Vol. 2, pp. 11–42〕 Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain〔Cunliffe, Barry (1997). ''The Ancient Celts''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Page 188-190.〕—and corresponds to the Welsh ''Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau''. Christians observe it as the feast day of Saint Brigid, especially in Ireland. Imbolc is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and there is evidence it has been an important date since ancient times. It is believed that it was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid and that it was Christianized as a festival of Saint Brigid, who is thought to be a Christianization of the goddess. At Imbolc, Brigid's crosses were made and a doll-like figure of Brigid, called a ''Brídeóg'', would be paraded from house-to-house. Brigid was said to visit one's home at Imbolc. To receive her blessings, people would make a bed for Brigid and leave her food and drink, while items of clothing would be left outside for her to bless. Brigid was also invoked to protect homes and livestock. Special feasts were had, holy wells were visited and it was also a time for divination. Although many of its customs died out in the 20th century, it is still observed and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. Since the latter 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Imbolc, or something based on it, as a religious holiday.〔〔 ==Etymology== The etymology of Imbolc/Imbolg is unclear. The most common explanation is that is comes from the Old Irish ''i mbolc'' (Modern Irish ''i mbolg''), meaning "in the belly", and refers to the pregnancy of ewes.〔 Another possible origin is the Old Irish ''imb-fholc'', "to wash/cleanse oneself", referring to a ritual cleansing.〔Wright, Brian. ''Brigid: Goddess, Druidess and Saint''. The History Press, 2011. p.83〕 Eric P. Hamp derives it from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning both "milk" and "cleansing".〔Hamp, Eric. "Imbolc, Óimelc". Studia Celtica 14/15 (1979-80), pp.106-113〕 Professor Alan Ward derives it from the Proto-Celtic '' *embibolgon'', "budding".〔Ward, Alan. (''The Myths of the Gods: Structures in Irish Mythology'' ). CreateSpace, 2011. p.15〕 The 10th century Cormac's Glossary derives it from ''oimelc'', "ewe milk",〔Meyer, Kuno, ''Sanas Cormaic: an Old-Irish Glossary compiled by Cormac úa Cuilennáin, King-Bishop of Cashel in the ninth century'' (1912).〕 but many scholars see this as a folk etymology. Nevertheless, some Neopagans have adopted ''Oimelc'' as a name for the festival. Since Imbolc is immediately followed (on 2 February) by Candlemas (Irish ''Lá Fhéile Muire na gCoinneal'' "feast day of Mary of the Candles", Welsh ''Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau''), Irish ''Imbolc'' is sometimes translated into English as "Candlemas"; e.g. ''iar n-imbulc, ba garb a ngeilt'' translated as "after Candlemas, rough was their herding".〔Gwynn, Edward John, MRIA (1868–1941), The Metrical dindshenchas, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, 1903–1935, iii 370.61.()〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Imbolc」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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