Celtic Knot Symbols and their Meanings

Numerous people all through the world find the symbols and meanings of Celtic jewelry designs enthralling and like to collect gold or Celtic knot jewelry. There are lots of beautiful pieces of jewelry depicting Celtic knots and other Celtic designs and it can be absorbing collecting jewelry with either a particular type of design, for example the triquetra, or a collection with all designs. It can provide more meaning to your collection if you understand something regarding the history and legends of the Celtic population who used these designs in their daily life on their jewelry and everyday objects. Though meanings of Celtic knot designs are, in general, vanished to us, yet a great deal is known with reference to the history of the Celtic people.

The period of Celtic history that dates from approximately 600 AD. in Great Britain after the Roman Era, recognized as the Insular Art period, saw an upsurge of jewelry crafting and design. Artisans used gold and silver to produce many intricately designed pieces ornamented with the well recognised Celtic knots but also spirals and animal designs. Other than ornaments, illustrated manuscripts were produced, the most celebrated of which is the Book of Kells. Stone crosses were engraved with Celtic designs and can seen all through the British Isles, in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Designers of Celtic Knot jewelry at present are stimulated by the objects that were fashioned all through this era, taking their inspiration from the illustrated manuscripts, relics and stone crosses still seen all over the country in our day. Irish craftsmen are experts in producing top quality jewelry in gold and silver, bearing the convoluted designs so cherished by the Celts long ago. They adorn their jewelry with the intricate knots seen in these ancient relics.

The earliest meanings of a lot of of the designs have been lost to us and many meanings have been fabricated by contemporary people, so finding out the earliest meaning of a lot of the designs is tricky and in many cases unachievable. On the other hand historians can agree on a few things in relation to the Celtic knot designs. The elaborate knots represent how all things are associated and also signifies God’s eternal love. The Book of Kells is richly illustrated in bright colours with Celtic knots. The Celtic knot is conceivably, the best known and most commonly treasured Celtic emblem and is a characteristic of many pieces of first-rate Celtic jewelry including earrings, Celtic crosses, pendants and wedding bands.

Triquetra, or trinity knots are commonly seen in objects from the Insular Art period especially in illustrated manuscripts, such as the Book of Kells, and in metal work. It was commonly used in combination with other knots and was repeatedly used as a space filler rather than a stand alone design. In contemporary times the triquetra has turned into a symbol of the Christian church that represents the Holy Trinity or as a symbol of special threefold things such as grandmother, daughter and granddaughter.