Known epona inscriptions have been excavated around the areas corresponding to ancient Gaul, Germany, Danube provinces and even Rome. Many inscriptions are usually signed by soldiers and found near settlements, which seems to indicate that, especially in the East, this is not an indigenous worship, but a military worship.
Epona plays an important role in Gaul religion, because the horse itself is very important in Gaul life. We can remember how the Gaul cavalry destroyed the stability of the Roman legion during the conquest. The worship of the goddess naturally persists in the army. However, everything shows that rural people admire her very much. Unfortunately, there are few traces of official worship of Epona in big cities.
Epona's artistic appearance, because the source of each expression is different, the function is also different. With a few exceptions, Epona always dresses up and appears in front of horses. Apart from these animals, she usually appears alone and is sometimes portrayed as a celibate. Although these features can be found in all descriptions, the position and posture of Epona and her horse vary from place to place.
With a few exceptions, EPONA always appears in front of the horse dressed up.
The first manifestation found in the northeast of Gaul and the Rhine River is the goddess riding on a mare, sometimes accompanied by a pony. Pack horses can be used as a symbol of burial: some stone tablets clearly evoke the journey of souls to the underworld (women are used to symbolize the souls of the dead, which is consistent with the religion in ancient folklore).
In the second form, the goddess is surrounded by horses (she sometimes feeds them). This form of expression mainly appeared in the middle of Gaul. There is another way to express Epona: She may be lying on a horse, half naked (as found in Arleri, Burgundy). Her attributes are usually cornucopia or nails. Sometimes she is accompanied by a dog, and sometimes by a god, goddess or spirit (local depictions of Mars, Hercules or silvanus are often found).
When we have to study the Celtic gods, it is usually useful to compare them with the Celtic traditions that have left myths in Ireland. Although the mythological records of Celtic Ireland (and Wales) began in the early Middle Ages and are mainly applicable to the British Isles, it is sometimes useful to try to establish a connection with the ancient Celtic tradition where these stories originated.
Epona is usually closer to Rhiannon Cymric (the name comes from the Celtic word "Rigantona", which means "the great queen"), and appears in the goddess of Mabinogi in Pwyll. In this Arthurian relationship, it is said that riding can't catch up with her because she walks too fast; She entertained the guests with Hada and sang while eating. Leonon married Puwell and Manavedan. She may still have the function of being here with the dead.
There must be similarities between Epona and Rhiannon, such as their attachment to horses and their roles as companions of the deceased, but there are also differences: the goddess Epona is single, while Rhiannon, regarded as the queen, is married. Besides, Epona is especially loved by limes, while Rhiannon exists in Celtic literature (especially in Britain). Therefore, if there are undeniable similarities between the two roles, it is best not to completely equate them.