Celtic
Designs and their Meanings
Claddagh
In
the early 16th century an Irish man by the name of Richard Joyce was fishing off
the cost of Galway a week before he as to be married when his boat capsized.
Richard was captured by pirates, taken to West Africa and sold into
slavery to a Moorish goldsmith.
Years
passed and Richard escaped captivity and returned home to Ireland to find that
the girl he loved had never married. Richard shaped a unique ring for the
girl he left behind. The ring was fashioned of three symbols: the hands
signifying friendship, holding a heart signifying love, topped with a crown for
loyalty.
Richard
and his love married and settled in the village of Claddagh. The village
no longer exists but since those early days the Claddagh ring has been worn as
sign of love, loyalty and friendship. Click
here to see Claddagh Items.
Celtic
Knots
The
interlacing lines of the Celtic Knot stands for "no beginning, no ending,
the continuity of everlasting love" and "binding together or
intertwining of two souls or spirits" As the Celts believed in
reincarnation, some interpret Celtic Knots as various lives of one soul woven
together on its path to light.
Christianity
has embraced much of the ancient Celtic symbolism and has adopted many Celtic
Knots into high crosses and illuminated manuscripts. Click
here to see Celtic Knot items.
Trinity
Knots
The
simplest of Celtic Knots symbolizing a triune God. The Celts were very
familiar with the idea of a trinity, everything came in threes; the three stages
of womanhood: maid, mother, crone, the three elements - earth, fire, water and
Christianity embraced this knot to symbolize father, son and holy ghost in many
of the early Christian illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells.
The combination of the trinity knot into rings, linens and other bridal designs
is associated with eternity and eternal love. Click
here to see Trinity Knot items.
The
Celtic Shield
The
triple spiral forms part of the curved detailing on the great curb-stone at the
entrance to the inner chamber at Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland, which dates back
to 3000 BC. This close pattern of spirals is the most common of all motifs
decorating Celtic tombs, and one that is basic to all Celtic art.
The
triple spiral is thought to represent Birth, Life & Death, of Man, Woman and
Child signifying the unending cycle of life. Click
here to see Celtic Shield items.
The
Triscal
The
triple spiral forms part of the curved detailing on the great curb-stone at the
entrance to the inner chamber at Newgrange, Co. Meath, Ireland, which dates back
to 3000 BC. This close pattern of spirals is the most common of all motifs
decorating Celtic tombs, and one that is basic to all Celtic art.
The
triple spiral is thought to represent Birth, Life & Death, of Man, Woman and
Child signifying the unending cycle of life. Click
here to see triscal items.
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