The Torc

The Belgae Torc

The Belgae Torc is a fictional torc made from twisted strands of gold.  The finials were symbolic and featured Epona, the protector of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.  She was also a goddess of fertility.  A moon gazing hare is featured.  Also linked to fertility the hare sits between Belanos, the sun god and the moon and forms a physical link which joins the two finials together.  I have taken a few liberties with the creation of The Belgae Torc.  I can only hope that the description of the forge and the processes used to create the torc was available at the time.  

The Moon Hare

Belenos the Sun God

Definition.

A neck ornament consisting of a band of twisted metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

Terminology

The word comes from Latin-Torquis or Torquero meaning to twist; because of the twisted shape of the ring.  Typically, neck rings that open at the front when worn are called ‘Torcs’ and those that open at the back; ‘Collars’.

Torcs were made from single or multiple intertwined metal rods or ‘ropes’ of twisted wire, usually gold or bronze, less often silver, iron or other metals. 

Elaborate examples used a variety of techniques but complex decoration was usually begun by casting and then working by further methods.  There are several types of rigid gold and sometimes bronze necklaces and collars of the late European Bronze Age, from around 1200 BC, many of which are classed as ‘Torcs’.  They are mostly thin strips of gold twisted together to form a spiral which is then shaped and decorated with finials of intricately shaped animal heads or symbolic shapes.

Depictions of the gods and goddesses of Celtic mythology sometimes show them wearing or carrying torcs.  The god Cernunnos is often shown wearing a torc around his neck, with torcs hanging from his antlers or held in his hand.  

Cernunnos,  

The Belgae Torc is the key that features throughout the three books that make up 'The Torc Trilogy'.   All of the characters are bound up in some way with the torc and this makes it a powerful focal point.  

The third and final book in the series is about to be proofread and hopefully published in June.