| The origins of the Celts dates back to | | | | symbol of fidelity or loyalty and the hands |
| prehistoric times when they emerged as a | | | | depicted friendship. Tradition states that if |
| group of loosely knit tribes with a common | | | | you are spoken to you should wear the |
| culture and language. | | | | Claddagh on your left hand facing inward but |
| | | | if you are unattached it should be worn |
| Celtic settlements stretched from Turkey and | | | | facing outward on the right hand. |
| the Balkans right across Western Europe. But | | | | |
| it was the rise of the Roman Empire that | | | | Celtic crosses, which predate Christianity, |
| would expose the lack of cohesion between the | | | | can symbolize the four quarters of the earth |
| various Celtic tribes and would lead to them | | | | and or the four elements - earth wind and |
| being overrun, expelled from their | | | | fire. They are equal armed crosses which are |
| territories and being pushed back to the | | | | enclosed or backed by a circle. Following the |
| western fringes of the continent. | | | | introduction of Christianity, it became more |
| | | | common to see Celtic Crosses on top of a |
| Although the ancient Celts flourished across | | | | matching pedestal, which gave it a more |
| Europe, it is in Ireland where their | | | | elongated look. Celtic crosses are often worn |
| traditions have been most preserved. | | | | as jewellery such as rings or on chains |
| | | | around the neck. |
| One aspect of this culture that still | | | | |
| survives today is the artwork and this is | | | | Geometric designs have always feature |
| most commonly seen in jewellery such as | | | | prominently in Celtic artwork with spirals, |
| celtic wedding rings. | | | | chevrons, scrolls and knot work. Many of |
| | | | these patterns can be seen decorating stone |
| Their artwork was believed to be very | | | | carvings or ancient manuscripts and religious |
| symbolic often being based on nature using | | | | books. |
| images of birds and animals and fish. The | | | | |
| Celts believed firmly in the | | | | The Celtic spirals are very symbolic with the |
| interconnectedness of all life and produced | | | | single spiral generally thought to signify |
| the familiar Celtic Knots, which are | | | | growth expansion and cosmic energy. |
| interlaced patterns with no beginning and no | | | | |
| end. | | | | The dual centred spiral found often on stone |
| | | | carvings signifies duality and nature and is |
| Although perhaps the true significance of | | | | associated with motifs from other cultures |
| these patterns has been lost over the | | | | such as the Ying Yang symbol. |
| millennia, Celtic designs remain increasingly | | | | |
| popular in our modern world. | | | | Celtic knot work designs remain popular today |
| | | | and can vary from single elegant knot |
| The Claddagh is a traditional symbol of love | | | | patterns to complex intricate interlaced |
| and friendship and is thought to have | | | | patterns. |
| originated from Claddagh in Galway as far | | | | |
| back as the 16th century since when has been | | | | Although the symbolism of celtic designs may |
| worn by many as a wedding ring and as a | | | | have been lost, many of the designs remain |
| symbol of love. | | | | popular today and will often be seen used in |
| | | | the design of jewellery and in particular |
| The design of the Claddagh consists of a | | | | Celtic Wedding rings. |
| heart as a symbol of love, a crown as a | | | | |