Leather working has deep roots in mythology,

The Hero's Armour

Across many cultures, heroes are often given special armour or attire made from leather. This armour is not just protective but also imbued with magical or symbolic properties. For example, in Celtic mythology, Cú Chulainn is often depicted wearing a magical leather girdle that was believed to enhance his strength. Similarly, in Irish mythology, the Gaelic warriors wore leather clothing and shields, which were said to provide them with protection in battle, and some of these were thought to be enchanted.

In Celtic culture, leather had strong connections to both life and death. It was used in the creation of ritual masks, cloaks, and ceremonial garments for rituals that sought to honor ancestors or deities. The leather mask, in particular, was often used in dances or rituals, where it symbolised the blending of the human and the divine. In the Samhain festival (the precursor to Halloween), wearing leather masks could allow individuals to connect with the spirits of the dead.

The Wild Hunt

In European folklore, particularly in the Germanic and Celtic traditions, the Wild Hunt is a ghostly or supernatural event where a group of spectral hunters rides across the sky, often led by a god or a legendary figure such as Odin or Cernunnos. These hunters depicted wearing leather armour, boots, and gear suited for the hunt. The Wild Hunt is also associated with the transition between life and death, with leather serving as a protective material for those who participated in or were affected by the Hunt.

Artemis/Diana

In Greek and Roman mythology, the goddess Artemis (or Diana in Roman) was often depicted as the protector of the wild and the hunt. She is often shown with a bow and a quiver of arrows, both of which could be made from leather. Leather was crucial in ancient hunting and survival gear, and Artemis, as a symbol of nature, would be associated with both the making and use of leather goods. The leather quiver, belt, and even her boots were part of her persona as a huntress and protector of the wilderness.

The Norns

In Norse mythology, the Norns were female beings who controlled fate. They are often depicted as weaving the threads of destiny, a process that could be symbolic of craftsmanship. Leather-working, in this context, could be seen as a craft that, like fate, transforms raw material (skin, thread, tools) into something that carries deep significance and purpose. Though not directly linked to leather, the skill of weaving and crafting in Norse lore can parallel the careful, detailed work of a leatherworker.

Hephaestus/Vulcan (Greek/Roman Mythology)

In Greek mythology, Hephaestus (known as Vulcan in Roman mythology) was the god of blacksmithing, craftsmanship, and fire. Although he is best known for his work with metals, he was also associated with leather and other materials used in crafting. Hephaestus created many magical objects, including the armour of Achilles, which was often depicted as made of leather and metal. The skill of leather-working in myth can be tied to the god's mastery over the forge, transforming raw materials into functional and powerful items.

Leather and Shamanism

Many indigenous cultures around the world have used leather in their shamanistic practices. Leather is seen as a protective, sacred material that can be used in ceremonial garments, tools, and even as a medium for spiritual connection. Shamans and spiritual healers often wear ceremonial connecting them to the spirit world also using rawhide drums, their magical properties bridging between the physical and the worlds of spirit . The ceremonial item imbued with the power to protect, guide, facilitating communication with the divine.

The Hero's Armour

Across many cultures, heroes are given special armour or attire made from leather. This armour is not just protective but also imbued with magical or symbolic properties. For example, in Celtic mythology, Cú Chulainn (slaine) is often depicted wearing a magical leather girdle to enhance his strength. Gaelic peoples wore leather clothing and shields, said to provide them with protection in battle, some of these were thought to be enchanted. so again ceremonial.

Leather in Celtic Symbolism

In Celtic culture, leather had strong connections to both life and death. It was used in the creation of ritual masks, cloaks, and ceremonial garments for rituals that sought to honor ancestors or deities. The leather mask, in particular, was often used in dances or rituals, where it symbolised the blending of the human and the divine. In the Samhain festival (the precursor to Halloween), wearing leather masks could allow individuals to connect with the spirits of the dead.

Leather and the Heroic Journey

Leather armour, clothing, and accessories often appear in mythic tales as symbols of a hero’s identity and transformation. In many myths, the hero is given a specific piece of leather clothing (like a cloak, belt, or boots) that either marks their passage into adulthood, their protection from harm, or their connection to the divine. This connection between leather and the heroic journey is present in myths across cultures, from King Arthur's armour to Hercules’ famous lion skin.

In many mythologies, skin (and by extension, leather) is a symbol of protection, transformation, and identity.

While leather-working isn't a central theme in Biblical stories, leather items are mentioned several times. For example, God made leather garments for Adam and Eve after they realised they were naked (Genesis 3:21). These garments were likely symbolic of both divine protection and humanity's separation from a state of innocence. Leather is also mentioned in the context of the Ark of the Covenant, which was made from acacia wood and covered with gold and leather. This is also true for example, the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, who was associated with mummification and the afterlife, often depicted wearing a cloak made of leather-like material. Leather, is a durable and protective material, and in Egyptian mythology it symbolised the preservation of the body in life and after the afterlife So leather globally has indigenous significance to the human species from adornment to protection leather garments and shields were used for preserve life, signifing the wearer's connection to both the forces of nature, the ancestors and indeed all our relations.