The Celts and Bees

Send us Fan MailThe Celts had laws around bees and a custom called telling the bees. The "Celt bee laws," more accurately called the Brehon Laws' Bechbretha (Bee Judgements) in ancient Ireland, were detailed regulations from around the 7th century (though based on older customs) governing beehives, swarms, honey, and beekeeping, emphasizing community sharing, property rights (like a finder's fee for wild swarms), and recognizing bees' sacred importance as symbols of wealth, wisdom, and connection to the Otherworld. These laws detailed who got what honey from wild or domestic hives, handled disputes between neighbors, and even outlined sharing a portion of swarms to encourage wider beekeeping."Telling the bees" was and still is a folklore tradition where you inform your beehives of major life events (births, deaths, marriages) or bad news, believing it ensures the bees' prosperity and loyalty.  For a death they would drape hives in black cloth so they could participate in the mourning.   Support the showIrish Mythology - Mythical Cycle - Book of Invasions