2006-10-03 11:28:15 · 8 answers · asked by SCIENCE MAN 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
They are wearing woad, a dye used for hundreds, indeed probably thousands, of years by Celtic peoples. Woad is made from a mixture of several ingredients, including natural dyes and women's urine (for real). It was used in specific markings to designate clan identity, ceremonial office (in pre-Christian cultures), and to represent the ferocity and power of the warrior spirit.
2006-10-03 13:26:43 · answer #1 · answered by snowbaal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a mixture of herbs and berries called "woade"(pronounceed woah-ad) which the wore beacuse it was considered a belssing and protection from the G-ds ie Thor and Oden. Or for the scientific reason, the chemical compounds in the herbs used caused a euphoric high aka "beserk" that helped them continue to fight even when brutally hurt. This is where the term "berserker" came from. Also it scared the enemy. Wouldn't you run if you saw a bunch of wild red haired,crazy eyed, armed to the teeth, naked men running and screaming at you painted blue? I would!
and no they did not "copy" African tribes, it has long been a custom of the Nors,e after all I'll bet none of them even knew about africa back then the way travel was
2006-10-04 03:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by essexsrose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Picts (sometimes Pixies) wore blue woad dye (and also used it for dying clothes and probably tattoos. Or maybe that was just in The Mists of Avalon. Hey, some of this stuff gets mixed up in my head after a while.) So to honor the Pixies, the ancestral (probably indigenous) people of Scotland, the warriors wore blue woad paint.
Plus, it looks cool. Maybe it also has some mythological significance, like you get the protection of the sky god or something like that.
2006-10-03 20:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The blue colorig is called Woad... It was worn by Irish and Scottish warriors during battles for a couple of reasons:
1) to distinguish between the various clans.
2) for psychological reasons. i.e. to psych out their enemies.
2006-10-03 19:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by James B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Roman accounts, the British painted themselves blue.
Common belief is that this blue was woad, but there's some issues with that. http://cyberpict.net/sgathan/essays/woad.htm has more details on that debate.
2006-10-05 15:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true historical fact is that they were copying an African tribe that Dyed their clothing blue and even their skin turned blue from the dye and that African tribe were really fierce fighter. That is really where they got that Idea from................ But Going to your local library could have told you that.......
2006-10-03 23:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Scottish flag is blue with a white x going from corner to corner. being Scottish they wore those colours. representing true scottish pride against the english in defiance.
2006-10-03 18:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its called acting and shows up very well on a big screen.
2006-10-03 18:57:55 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋