Commonly mentioned as spoils of war and made from different metals, torcs were not merely military decorations of men. Quite possibly they served as indications of rank, status and power. They may also have had religious associations as such objects appear on the figures of the Celtic deities. The specific meaning of the torc may have varied across the Celtic world and across time. Designs could vary from very simple to extremely elaborate, in various metals, including gold. Some torcs were probably used as rattles during rituals, or otherwise, because of their great size and weight, put on statues as votive offerings.
To discover more about spirals in Celtic culture, please visit our relevant blog post: The Symbolism of the Spiral in Celtic Imagery.
