| There's been a growing interest in tattoos | | | | Druidic religion, which was a nature, based |
| lately,and Celtic tattoo designs are no | | | | religion. Trees frequently symbolize life, |
| exception. Celtic tattoos have become a | | | | growing from a seed into a tree much like a |
| favorite design choice. It is no secret why | | | | person grows from a child into an adult. |
| these are so popular. They are oftentimes | | | | Trees are often seen as a life giving plant |
| done in blackened color with lots of shading | | | | and are venerated in many naturalistic |
| and the symbols used are intricate and | | | | faiths. There is also an association with |
| beautiful. It's thought that Celtic tattoo | | | | Christianity in the Adam and Eve story in |
| designs trace their origins back to a clan | | | | which Eve eats the fruit from a tree. |
| that inhabited the British Isles called the | | | | |
| Picts. Just about all historians think that | | | | The Celtic Cross Tattoo |
| the Picts tattooed themselves by puncturing | | | | |
| their skin with red-hot tools to produce | | | | Among the most popular and most lasting |
| complex and permanent artwork on their body. | | | | Celtic designs is the Celtic Cross. The |
| Later on, they began to using a blue pigment | | | | symbolism here is obviously Christian and |
| derived from the leaves of a native plant. | | | | comes from Jesus on the cross. These are |
| | | | beautiful crosses done with interlacing lines |
| The designs created by the Picts began to | | | | of Celtic knots. |
| have a mysterious religious and symbolic | | | | |
| significance. Celtic artwork and symbolism | | | | Celtic Heart Tattoos |
| embodied a mix of Druid and Christian | | | | |
| religions. The Celts didn't have a printed | | | | Another favorite Celtic design theme is a |
| language and alternatively communicated their | | | | heart. Celtic heart tattoos are once again |
| customs and beliefs by word of mouth. Once | | | | intertwined knot work in the shape of a |
| the first Christian missionaries arrived to | | | | heart. Generally done in black color only but |
| the British Isles they established written | | | | can also be done in color. These are |
| communication within the Celtic culture. At | | | | exquisite designs and make great tattoos. |
| the same time the monks adopted many of the | | | | These are particularly popular among women. |
| active Celtic beliefs, and symbols into the | | | | |
| Christian religion. This was done in order to | | | | More Symbols Include: |
| bridge the gap between the Druid beliefs and | | | | |
| those of the Christians. A great deal of this | | | | Anchor: Steadfastness |
| work was saved by the Christian monks in the | | | | |
| "Books Of Kells" which is today housed at | | | | Bell: Weddings, Anniversaries. |
| Trinity College in Ireland. Therefore the | | | | |
| early tattoo designs of the Picts evolved | | | | Chain Links: Linking of Lives, # of children, |
| over time and blended with Christian beliefs | | | | Years together. |
| to form what we know of as Celtic artwork | | | | |
| today. The Celtic Cross and Shamrock are two | | | | Cross: Faith, Marriage. |
| such designs that have survived the test of | | | | |
| time. | | | | Diamond: Wealth, Good Fortune. |
| | | | |
| The Meaning Behind Celtic Symbols | | | | Dragon: Symbol of Wales, Protection. |
| | | | |
| The Celtic Knot | | | | Flowers: Affection or Courtship, Friendship. |
| | | | |
| Most Celtic artwork starts with a common knot | | | | Heart: Love. |
| design. These are attractive knots of | | | | |
| interlaced lines that cross over one another | | | | Horseshoe: Good Luck and Happiness. |
| repeatedly to produce an exquisite design. | | | | |
| These knots don't have a start or an end they | | | | Key: Home |
| are simply a perpetual knot that goes on | | | | |
| eternally. These interwoven lines are thought | | | | Knot: Everlasting, together forever. |
| to symbolize the spiritual and the physical | | | | |
| realms of life, which become entangled with | | | | Leaves: Love Grows. |
| each other. | | | | |
| | | | Ship: Smooth passage through life. |
| Celtic Tree Of Life Tattoo | | | | |
| | | | Vine: Love Grows. |
| Among the favorite themes of Celtic tattoo | | | | |
| designs is the Tree Of Life. This in all | | | | Wheel: Willingness to work for a loved one. |
| likelihood goes back as a symbol to the | | | | |