Celtic Knots

The Celtic Knot is the most identifiable type of Celtic Art. The Knotwork laps one or more lines over and under other lines in the belief that each crossed line will add powerful protection to the wearer. The single line knot symbolized to the Celts that everything in the world is connected in some way.

This Celtic Artwork is not only beautiful, it also, for many, symbolizes eternity: the eternity of life, the eternity of nature, and the eternity of love. The well-known expression 'tying the knot' - meaning to get married or engaged - originates from the ancient Celtic custom of Handfasting, in which the newly-wedded couple had their hands tied together in a celtic symbolic ritual.

Celtic Knotwork is derived from interwoven designs exquisitely created by Irish Christian monks who preserved Celtic Art for the world by incorporating these Celtic Knotwork designs into illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells), which were created by these Irish monks during the 6th and 7th centuries. Some others are the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Book of Durrow, and the Durham Gospels. Even though there are many other Celtic symbols, Celtic Knotwork is the distinctively Irish contribution of ancient Celtic designs as the monks added their own special unique touch and made it a purely Irish art form.

Brigid's Cross

Saint Brigid (or Brigit) was born in the fifth century and became a beloved Irish figure, second only to Saint Patrick. She has been described as "a saint who was as effective in prayer… as she was in leadership." Saint Brigid's crosses made of rushes are hung up in Irish homes on Saint Brigid's Day (the old Celtic Festival of Imbolc) on February 1. In Irish folk tradition, it is believed to protect the building from fire.

Known for her humility and concern for the poor, it has been said that you would "find her not in the hall nor the church, but off in the fields herding the cattle that gave milk to the monastery, or the sheep that gave them wool."

Brigit was also one of the great Triple Goddesses of the Celtic people. She appeared as Brigit to the Irish, Brigantia in Northern England, Bride in Scotland, and Brigandu in Brittany. Many legends are told about Brigit. Some say that there are three Brigits : one sister in charge of poetry and inspiration who invented the Ogham alphabet, one in charge of healing and midwifery, and the third in charge of the hearth fire, smithies and other crafts. This actually indicates the separate aspects of her Threefold nature and is a neat division of labor for a hard-working goddess.

Celtic Cross---Celtic Spirals---Celtic Ogham Alphabet

Celtic Animals---Celtic Magic---Druid History

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