Posted February 04, 2018 13:07:55

Druids and Celtic gods paraded through the streets of a northern English village as locals gathered to watch a ritual battle between winter and spring unfold in an ancient ritual with roots dating back to pre-Roman times.

The Imbolc fire festival is one of four major holidays in paganism that fall between seasonal solstices. It marks a return of light and the end of winter.

The festival features a clash between two giant figures — an icy Jack Frost and a leaf-covered Green Man.

The festival in Marsden, West Yorkshire, began with a procession of villagers dressed as druids and gods.

Festival organiser Freyja Boycott-Garnett said spring officially began when the Green Man defeated Jack Frost.

"It's a celebration of all the daffodils coming out, flowers coming out, and little baby lambs being born," she said.

Imbolc, believed to be associated with the pagan fertility goddess Brigid, is believed to have been adapted by Christians into Saint Brigid's Day and Candlemas — which commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

In Ireland, people donned animal masks and held flaming pitchforks to take part in a 'Biddy's Day' parade in the town of Killorglin in the country's south-west.

Photo: There was a Biddy's Day parade to celebrate the Imbolc in Killorglin, in Ireland's south-west. (Reuters: Clodagh Kilcoyne)

Photo: The Irish festival included local 'Biddy's groups'. (Reuters: Clodagh Kilcoyne)

AP/ABC

Topics: community-and-society, religion-and-beliefs, paganism, carnivals-and-festivals, community-and-multicultural-festivals, england, united-kingdom, ireland