The Celtic game of Fidchell or Gwyddbwyll, which according to legend was invented by the God Lugh, and was also played by the Irish hero Cú Chulainn or King Arthur. Play this game too!
We are proud that we can provide it to you as a work of art with a deeper idea, in which the South Bohemian artist Kati participated.
The game presents a clash between the invaders who decided to occupy Ireland and the defenders of this island led by the king.
Playing stones
The King - is represented by the menhir Lia Fáil, the Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone on Mount Tara. It is the seat of the highest kings of Ireland (Árd Rí Éireann in Irish). Celtic swords and a spiral ornament of torques are depicted on the playing stone, which emphasizes the importance of the king.
King's guards - defenders of the island. Four-sided playing stones with a motif of torques decoration from the site of Clonmacnois, Ireland (3rd century Old Age).
Raiders - round tokens with the motif of attacking ships.
- Material: zinc with antique brass and old silver finish
- Design: - Katien
Fidchell (Irish) or also gwyddbwyll (Welsh), guidpoill-gwezboell (Breton), gwydhbol (Cornish) is a board game popular among the Celts.
Fidchell is played between two players and translates to "wood knowledge" or "wood sense". Fidchell / gwyddbwyll is often mentioned in ancient Celtic legends.
The origin of Fidchell could be derived from the Roman game ludus latrunculorum. An archaeological find such as the Stanway game from Colchester with 13 pieces per side may also represent the Celtic board game Fidchell.
Some of the rules of the game can be derived from references in early Irish literature.
Leth a fóirni d'ór buidi, in leth aili d'findruine - "Half of the pieces were of yellow gold, the other half of white bronze".
Legends describe fidchell as a game played by kings and Gods. According to legend, it was invented by Lugh, the God of Light and Inspiration, and skillfully played by His son, the Irish hero Cú Chulainn. According to legend, King Arthur and Owain mab Urien also played a game with golden playing stones on a silver board.
A find from Ballinderry (Ireland) made in 1932 probably represents a fidchell. It is a wooden board with Celtic symbols, with a 7x7 grid, bordered by 49 holes.