For the physical quantity, see Torque.

A torc, also spelled torq or torque (from Latin torqueo, to twist, because of the twisted shape of the collar) is a rigid circular necklace that is open-ended at the front. The ends of ancient torcs typically bore sculpted ornaments, frequently globes, cubes, or animal heads, and less commonly human figures. The body of the necklace was usually but not always wrapped. Although they were most often neck-rings, there were also bracelets with this shape. Torcs were made from intertwined metal strands, usually gold or bronze, less often silver.

"Torc" is the ancient Irish for "boar", similar to the gaulish "torcos". A relation could be made with the sacred value of the animal in celtic mythology suggesting a sort of equivalence between the necklace and the animal symbol of death and revival.

Historical torcs

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Torcs were worn by various peoples from the Bronze Age, about 1000 BC, until about 300 AD, including the Galatians (or Anatolian Celts), various Germanic tribes the Scythians and the Persians. However, it is best known as the typically Celtic necklace worn especially by Britons, Gauls, and Iberians.

One of the earliest known depictions of a torc can be found on the Warrior of Hirschlanden, a statue of a nude ithyphallic warrior made of sandstone, the oldest known iron age life-size anthropomorphic statue north of the Alps. It was a production of the Hallstatt culture of the early Iron age (800-475 BC). It is now in the Württembergisches Landesmuseum in Stuttgart

Depictions of the gods and goddesses of Celtic mythology frequently show them wearing torcs. The famous Roman copy of the original Greek sculpture The Dying Gaul, depicts a wounded Gallic warrior naked except for a torc. Examples have been discovered in Britain and Europe during archaeological surveys.http://www.ancienttouch.com/172.jpg A notable and exquisite example was found at the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial mound.

It was said by some authors that the torc was an ornament for women until the 4^th century BC, when it became an attribute of warriors. But most authors disagree, saying that it was a sign of nobility and high social status: a decoration awarded to warriors for their deeds in battle, as well as a divine attribute, since some depictions of Celtic gods wear one or more torcs. Images of the god Cernunnos wearing one torc around his neck, with torcs hanging from his antlers or held in his hand, have been found. Torcs have also been found in the tombs of Celtic princes.

The Roman consul Titus Manlius once challenged a Gaul to single combat and killed him, and then took his torc. Because he always wore it, he received the nickname Torquatus (the one who wears a torc). After this, Romans adopted the torc as a decoration for distinguished soldiers and elite units during Republican times.

Modern torcs

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The hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s brought torcs back into fashion, not only as necklaces and bracelets, but also as rings. Torc-shaped bracelets are commonly worn today by both men and women. Torcs are also popularly worn in pierced ears, nipples, navels and other parts of the body.

The torc is also the symbol of someone with the title of Saoi, which is the highest honour Aosdána, the Irish organization of artists, can bestow upon its members.

References

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Celtic art | Germanic paganism | Jewellery | Roman awards and decorations

Torques | Torque (collier) | Torque | Шейная гривна | Гривна