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The Celts, whose lands spread across Europe
from Hungary to Ireland two thousand years ago, left a rich legacy of art.
They were skilled metal workers, with a strong interest in gold, silver
and bronze ornaments for themselves and for their horse trappings. In
Wales, where the language and culture survive with unbroken continuity
from those early times, the Celtic design tradition is still part of the
living heritage.
Ancient Celtic art was full of interlacing
patterns, elaborate knotwork, spirals, animal forms and zoomorphics. The
Celts lived close to the natural world but also had a strong spiritual
sense. The Celts believed in the "oneness" of nature and that
nature had the ability to transform itself on all levels of existence.
Typical Celtic designs have a flowing, interconnected quality, from
"endless knots" to spirals to zoomorphic animal designs in which
body parts of a single animal or multiple animals are joined together in
graceful knot-like configurations.
Celtic Knotwork-
The intricate weave and flow of Celtic knotwork symbolizes the endless
flow of the life force through the cosmos through birth, death and rebirth
and the interconnectedness of all things.
Triquetra -
The triquetra (pronounced try-KET-ra, Latin for "three
cornered") is a Celtic knot with a triangular design symbolizing all
trinities including the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother & Crone); the
eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and the realms of Air, Earth
and Sea which, to the ancient Celts, represented the entire Universe. To
Christians, the triquetra has been used to symbolize the Holy Trinity
(Father, Son & Holy Ghost) In fact, many cultures and religions have
considered the number three to be holy or divine for millennia. A symbol
of three interlocking circles looking somewhat like a three-leaf clover
without out stem has been found on religious statues in India that were
made 5000 years ago.
Triskele
(Celtic Spiral)
The spiral is an ancient symbol reflecting the universal pattern of growth
and evolution. The spiral pattern appears again and again in the natural
world from the milky way galaxy to snail shells. The living spiral does
not begin or end, it is an ongoing process of innocence, discovery,
community, and the essence that connects all things. A common Celtic
spiral type pattern is the Triskele representing to the ancient Celts, the
triad of Sky/Earth/Sea and/or Triple Gods/Goddesses and to Christians, the
Holy Trinity.
Zoomorphics -
These are animal images that are twisted upon themselves, with tails ears
and body parts weaving in and out of other parts, much like regular
knotwork interlace.
Hounds - loyalty
Lions - nobility, strength
Snakes, Dragons, Serpents - rebirth
Birds - purity/immortality (peacocks) or nobility (eagles)
Salmon - knowledge
Bull - strength
Boar - ferocity, strength
Hare - good fortune
Y Ddraig Goch - The
Welsh Dragon -
The Red Dragon of Wales, is the symbol of resurgent Wales. The Red
Dragon was originally a griffin on the standard of a Roman legion
headquartered in North Wales, but early on came to be associated with the
fighting dragons imprisoned by Lludd and Llefelys. The significance of
these dragons was pointed out by Myrddin, the Merlin of Arthurian legend,
in the time of Vortigern. The two dragons, one white, one red, had fought
for many years. The white dragon at first prevailed but in the end the red
dragon overcame the white. Myrddin explained that the Welsh would
ultimately, after a long period of adversity, overcome the foreign
invaders, and maintain their language, lands and freedom.
The Rampant Lion of Scotland
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The Rampant Lion of Scotland was originally the emblem of William the Lion
in the 12th century, during the years when Scotland was independent. Since
that time the Scots have used the lion to proclaim pride in their nation.
The Scottish Thistle -
The thistle is the national flower of Scotland. At one time a band of
English soldiers were sneaking up on a group of Scots at night when one of
them stepped on a thistle and cried out, so alerting the Scots. Since then
the thistle has held a place of honor in Scotland.
Claddagh -
The Claddagh symbol of hands holding a heart, surmounted by a crown dates
back more than 400 years and is generally associated with the fishing
village of Claddagh in the west of Ireland, near Galway. There are many
legends concerning the origin of the Claddagh symbol, but most agree that
the hands symbolize friendship, the heart love and the crown loyalty. In
the 17th century, rings with the Claddagh symbol became the fashionable
exchange of friends or lovers, often becoming heirlooms passed down from
mother to daughter.
Welsh Lovespoons -
The carving of lovespoons in wood as a token given by a suitor is not now
carried on as a widespread tradition in Wales. Today, lovespoons are more
often carved by amateur craftsmen for sale, or made in the form of silver
or gold necklets or other jewelry. The traditional design spirit of the
lovespoon remains much the same however, using symbols of affection, hope,
promise or inspiration. Never settling into a standard pattern, its form
is restricted only by the imagination of the carver or designer.
Everlasting Love -- Serch Bythol
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This Celtic symbol of everlasting love is formed from two triskeles. The
triskeles, three cornered knots, denote the three aspects of two people,
body, mind and spirit. The two triskeles, joined together, show a circle,
the everlasting circle of eternity. Thus the figure represents two people,
joined in body, mind, and spirit in everlasting love.
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