It has a three-sided knot which stands for the forces of nature—earth, water, and fire. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "2nd-mytho-20"; Just as each of these symbolizes something important, so do the kinds of Celtic knots. This Celtic knot is used as a symbol of protection. amzn_assoc_linkid = "1054521b7aca7c9251c4e2d1e721c7e6"; Christians regard the circle around the head as a symbol of the eternal love of God. As a consequence, a number of the most popular designs have had meanings attributed to them within the last 150 or so years and we analyse them below. If you are interested in history or art, or simply a jewelry fan, then surely you must have seen some form of a Celtic knot in your life. The three-point style is one of the most commonly seen Celtic symbols, as it represents the Holy Trinity, as well as wisdom that is based on the number three. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Of these, the triquetra knot or the Trinity knot is the most famous. In viewing these beautiful knots, we cannot see a beginning or and end, and therefore we are reminded of the timeless nature of our spirit. In general, Celtic knots are made in a three or four-point design, and both styles have deeply symbolic meanings. Centuries ago, these mystic knots adorned gifts that were given to with someone for a long life, good luck, etc. The Celtic knots make each part look very broadened. Celtic love knots. Celtic Knot (Irish Symbol) Celtic knots are vivid representations, consisting of knot work and patterns for decoration. In Celtic tradition, the trinity is one of the most important contexts making the Celtic Trinity Knot or triquetra one of the most prominent symbols in Celtic culture. In many cases, one has to rely on the artists’ interpretation of a particular symbol. However, historians are having difficulty ascertaining whether or not there was particular significance behind each complex design. If you would like to read more about the Trinity Knot, check out or following post: Read: Triquetra, the Celtic Trinity Knot (AKA Irish Love Knot) and Its Meaning. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Most scholars believe that Celtic knots were developed for religious and secular purposes. The information about Celtic knot designs and meanings present before us the interesting world of Celtic symbols, associated concepts and the thoughts at work behind them. When we think about the Celtic knot, we automatically assume it originated as a Celtic symbol. In viewing these beautiful knots, we cannot see a beginning or and end, and therefore we are reminded of the timeless nature of our spirit. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The distinguishing features of Celtic tattoos are a pattern of complex and interwoven lines which include patterns like mazes, spirals, knots, etc. Created by the earliest generations of the Celts in Britain, its origins can be traced back to 2500 BCE. As we mentioned above, historians cannot agree on whether or not there are specific meanings for each design. The patterns are formed with curved lines or strips that wind and weave around one another, and they can be created with one strand or many, depending on the design. Most Celtic knots are created from a four or three-point design. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. All these attributes therefore, got associated with the Dara Celtic knot. The Irish Celtic symbol for family: what is it and what it means. Another school of thought is that the three points represent the body, mind, and spirit. Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. What we do know is that knot designs were used as early as the third century A.D and can be seen on Roman floor mosaics. In ancient times, gifts adorned with mystic knots would be given with best wishes of longevity, or luck with new endeavors. For instance, the Lindisfarne Gospels from the late 7, To see some of the greatest examples of Celtic knots, one must look no further than many of the Irish high crosses or Celtic crosses that were created and erected from the 8, Please do share the post if you liked what you have read about, © 2020 Symbols and Their Meanings - Mythology and Gods - Mythical Creatures, The Celtic Knot: Not Originally a Celtic Symbol, Triquetra, the Celtic Trinity Knot (AKA Irish Love Knot) and Its Meaning, The Eye of Ra (Re/Rah), Ancient Egyptian Symbol and Its Meaning, Native American Symbols/Indian Symbols and Their Meanings. Both four-point and three-point knots have extraordinary symbolic meanings. As well as being adorned on clothing and art, these complex designs look amazing on jewellery such as rings, pendants and necklaces. As with so many things the Celts left us, discovering the real meaning of Celtic Knot symbols is not easy. The Cetic knot designs have deep meanings associated with them. This cookie doesn't save any personal Data about any shop client. that can interfere with life. Many people think that Celtic animal symbols are made with Celtic knots, but there is a difference, as they generally have a beginning and an end. Check out the these other Gaelic symbols. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This knot made from two inter-twined ropes dates back to the ancient times when the Celtic sailors who spent long months at sea would remember their sweethearts and weave rope mementos for them. In many cases, one has to rely on the artists’ interpretation of a particular symbol. You may also find shield knots that are in the form of a square enclosed inside a circular shape. They are also seen in clothing and home décor designs. It is thought that the designs can be traced back to the ancient Romans, and even further, to Byzantine Constantinople. Tips on Interpreting Signs and Symbolic Meanings. Celtic Maze & Labyrinth Meaning & Symbolism. It involves many intertwining loops that have no beginning or end, and is in the form of a ring that is the symbol of eternal love. Oak tree is the symbol of destiny, power, strength, wisdom, leadership and endurance. The origin of this design comes from Celtic sailors who wove the knots in memory of those who they have left behind when they set sail. In this vein, these knots are used as emblems, which can be found in jewelry, clothing, or home décor. Meanings of different Celtic knots are explained in the following paragraphs. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. One of the main reasons why it is so difficult to place a precise date on Celtic knot usage in Christian artwork is because the traditional culture of Celtic knots in manuscript painting for example was passed down orally; a lack of written records makes it hard to pinpoint the exact time when Celtic knotwork influence began to spread though it appears as if missionary expeditions ensured these complex knot designs made their way to Europe and the Scottish Highlands. The Celtic Spiral design is another three-sided knot standing for water, fire and earth. This information, which might be about you, your preferences, or your internet device (computer, tablet or mobile), is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. Its frequent appearance in ancient synagogues led to it being linked with King Solomon. The famous Book of Kells has many Celtic knot examples throughout its illustrious pages. Celtic Knots look likes strips which wind, weave and loop their way around each other. Most information relating to Celtic knots is dated after 450 A.D when Christian influence on the Celtic civilization began to take hold. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. To understand the Celtic knot meaning we need to look to ancient history. In the modern era, some designs have had meanings attached to them based on personal interpretation. There are different opinions on this but the basic understanding is that the unending knot symbolizes the unending cycle of life. There are an immense number of ways in which the Celtic knot design can be used. The triad in ancient Celtic ideology is huge. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The points interweave to connect the physical and the spiritual. All rights reserved. The Celtic Trinity Knot, or the Triquetra, is one of the most common of the knot ilk. When the design incorporates two intertwined Celtic knots, it is known as the Love Knot. It offers a particularly interesting perspective on nature as we know it, and that we are still learning about as nature evolves around us. 7 Interesting Facts About Greek Goddess Aphrodite, Learn About the Meaning of an Eight Pointed Star, Learn More About Aesculapius: The Roman God of Health. Celtic knot meaning: It symbolises eternal spiritual life, one with no beginning and no end. The terms triskelion and triskele (another name used for the symbol) are Greek words with the same meaning “three-legged”.. Triskelion is a symbol comprised of three conjoined spirals with rotational symmetry. It was also believed to have the power to ward off negative energy. In Christian terms, the three points represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Other times it is a number of strips. In Celtic Art, Celtic knots (also known as 'endless knots' or 'mystic knots') are series of overlapping or interwoven knots which have no clear start or end. For example, early Christian understanding views the symbols as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Celtic Regions: where the Celts come from and have lived for 3,000+ years. However, few aspects of Celtic culture are more apparent in modern society than Celtic knots. The depiction of quaternary symbol might be an indication of the treasures of Tuatha. These crosses have biblical designs incorporating Celtic patterns that include spirals and knot work, as well as key patterns along with animal patterns at times. The history of celtic knots can be traced back to 450 AD. We hope you enjoy this website. For example, Irish works of this era featured unending loops consistently whereas Roman and Germanic adaptations occasionally included loose ends. When you have finished reading about the Celtic knot below visit, there is a much bigger gallery on our Celtic knot design page. You can also see great examples of Celtic knotwork on many Celtic crosses or Irish High crosses erected between 8th to 12th Century. It stands for eternal life and goes back to 2500 BCE when the early Scottish, Welsh and Irish Celts first devised these knots. This one continuous line is of Scottish origin, where it stands for love and fidelity in love, and so is known as the Celtic love knot. Solomon’s Knot lends itself to several symbolic interpretations. Broken and reconnected plaits are said to be the genuine Celtic knots. The whorls of the spiral stand for continuous growth while the gaps between the spirals stand for the gaps between life, death, and rebirth. The term Triquetra comes from Latin, and it means “three-cornered.” There are many schools of thought when discussing the Celtic trinity knot meaning. If you would like to read more about the Celtic Cross, please check out the following post: Read: The Celtic Cross Symbol and Its Meaning. These knot designs have been a part of the Celtic Tradition for a long time. They used to derive meaningful messages applicable to day-to-day life through the language of trees. This knot was placed near ill people or on battle shields for warding off the evil spirits or any other danger. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'ancient_symbols_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',118,'0','0']));In or around 450 AD, before the Celts could be influenced by Christianity, Celtic culture took the form of knots, spirals, plait, braid, step and key patterns to depict richly symbolic seven creations. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; In modern Christianity, however, that same symbol represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is yet another ancient Celtic symbol and it stands for being, spirit life and eternal. The Celtic Trinity knot is also known by the name, ‘Triquetra’. Use of Celtic Knot Symblo on wonderful Book of Kells, Celtic Knot Triquestra Symbol also known as Trinity Knot, Did you know that Saint Patrick was not an Irish man or the first to bring Christianity to Ireland?