adder stone

A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology | 2004 | 526 words | Copyright

adder stone. The glass balls or amulets possessed by the druids, either for mysteries or for ornament, were known as ‘adder stones’ in several Celtic languages: Bret. glain neidr, ScG gloine nathair, W glain nadredd; but in Cornish it is millpreve. The stones were thought to have been formed during the summer by bubbles, blown from the mouth of the adder and hardened by sliding down the length of its back, forming a crystal ring, worn as an amulet. The adder is the only poisonous snake in the British Isles.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JAMES MacKILLOP. "adder stone." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "adder stone." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-adderstone.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "adder stone." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-adderstone.html

Learn more about citation styles