The Ogham script is an ancient writing system that was used to write the early Irish languages. The script consists of a series of strokes or notches, typically carved into the edges of stone monuments or wooden sticks. Each stroke represents a different letter of the alphabet.
The origins of the Ogham script are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have developed in Ireland sometime during the 4th century AD. Some scholars have suggested that the script may have been influenced by earlier Celtic or Mediterranean writing systems, while others believe that it may have developed independently in Ireland.
One theory is that the script was originally developed as a secret form of communication among the Druids, the priestly class of ancient Celtic society. According to this theory, the Druids may have used the Ogham script to record their knowledge and teachings in a way that was not easily decipherable by outsiders.
Also, the Ogham script is sometimes associated with the Irish god Oghma (also spelled Ogham or Ogma). Oghma was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a mythical race of beings in Irish mythology, and was known as a god of knowledge, communication, and language.
According to some legends, Oghma was credited with inventing the Ogham script and teaching it to the mortal inhabitants of Ireland. Other myths suggest that Oghma was the patron of poets and bards, who were said to have used the Ogham script to record their works.
The connection between the Ogham script and Oghma is not entirely clear, and some scholars have suggested that the association may have been made after the fact, as a way of lending an air of mysticism and divine inspiration to the script.
However, the Ogham script became an important part of Irish culture and history. It was used to record not only religious and mystical texts, but also secular works such as genealogies, legal codes, and other forms of literature. Many examples of Ogham inscriptions can still be found in Ireland today, particularly on standing stones and other ancient monuments, mostly as a reminder of prominent Irish people from the past.
