ll mainly into
two classes. In the first class are those representing native
divinities, like Esus, Tarvos Trigaranos, Smertullos, Cernunnos, the
horned and crouching gods, the god with the hammer, and the god with the
wheel. Busts and statues of some water-goddesses exist, but more
numerous are the representations of Epona. One of these is provided with
a box pedestal in which offerings might be placed. The _Matres_ are
frequently figured, usually as three seated figures with baskets of
fruit or flowers, or with one or more infants, like the Madonna. Images
of triple-headed gods, supposed to be Cernunnos, have been found, but
are difficult to place in any category.[989]

To the images of the second class is usually attached the Roman name of
a god, but generally the native Celtic name is added, but the images
themselves are of the traditional Roman type. Among statues and
statuettes of bronze, that of Mercury occurs most often. This may point
to the fact that Caesar's _simulacra_ of the native Mercury were images,
and that the old preference for representing this god continued in Roman
times. Small figures of divinities in white clay have been found in
large numbers, and may have been _ex votos_ or images of household
_lararia_.[990]

SYMBOLS.

Images of the gods in Gaul can be classified by means of their
symbols--the mallet and cup (a symbol of plenty) borne by the god with
the hammer, the wheel of the sun-god, the cornucopia and torque carried
by Cernunnos. Other symbols occur on images, altars, monuments, and
coins. These are the swastika and triskele, probably symbols of the
sun;[991] single or concentric circles, sometimes with rays;[992]
crosses; and a curious S figure. The triskele and the circles are
sometimes found on faces figured on coins. They may therefore have been
tattoo markings of a symbolic character. The circle and cross are often
incised on bronze images of Dispater. Much speculation has been aroused
by the S figure, which occurs on coins, while nine models of this symbol
hang from a ring carried by the god with the wheel, but the most
probable is that which sees in it a thunderbolt.[993] But lacking any
old text interpreting these various symbols, all explanations of them
must be conjectural. Some of them are not purely Celtic, but are of
world-wide occurrence.

CULT OF WEAPONS.

Here some reference may be made to the Celtic cult of weapons. As has
been seen, a hammer is the symbol