| There can be little doubt that a Celtic tattoo is | | | | the Celts had many more designs and symbols in |
| very popular at the moment, especially amongst | | | | their art: |
| the glitterati such as movie stars, sports stars | | | | 1. Numbers were very important to the Celts. |
| and rock/pop stars. If you are planning to get one | | | | 'Nine' was a special number with much power, as |
| inked, you need to know the difference between | | | | was twenty seven (9 X 3 = 27). 'Three' was also |
| a real 'Celtic' tattoo and a 'tribal' tattoo. There is a | | | | an essential number with lots of symbolical |
| difference and, hopefully, this article will put you | | | | meaning (the relationship between the sky, earth |
| on the right track! | | | | and sea; the human soul also had a three-part |
| Knot Work | | | | nature). Other popular numbers, include thirty |
| It is essential to look for excellent knot work in | | | | three (honor and royalty); five (family unit symbol |
| the design of your Celtic tattoo; an authentic | | | | in Ireland); seventeen (the passing of the moon |
| Celtic knot has no beginning or end. Why? Well, | | | | and also the limits of generational ancestral |
| this 'never-ending' knot design is a symbol of | | | | memory in a clan). |
| infinity in areas such as faith, love and life. These | | | | 2. The Celtic Cross/the Tree of Life. These |
| kind of knots have been used by meditators for | | | | symbols represent the amalgamation of Celtic |
| centuries because they are ideal for fixing one's | | | | Mysticism and Christianity by Druids around the |
| attention (essential when attempting to reach a | | | | seventh century. Again, these symbols are |
| state of intense relaxation and concentration). In | | | | weaved into the fabric of endless knots. |
| particular, the 'Trinity Knot' has proved to be | | | | 3. The Claddagh. This symbol consists of a heart |
| popular with many people and is a fine example | | | | and a crown, both linking. For those about to get |
| of a Celtic knot that is 'unending.' | | | | married this is a lucky symbol as it represents |
| Symbols of Territory | | | | love and friendship. |
| The Celts were a mysterious people and often | | | | 4. The Pentagram. Over the years, this symbol |
| used different kinds of symbols as a way of | | | | has come to represent many things, sometimes |
| demonstrating where they came from: | | | | evoking images of devil-worship and the |
| 1. Harps and Shamrocks: Irish Celts. | | | | supernatural. This is unfortunate, for the |
| 2. Red Dragon and Thistle: Scottish Celts. | | | | pentagram, to the Celts, represents the five |
| 3. Daffodil and Leek: Welsh Celts. | | | | stages of life: birth, youth, adulthood, old age, |
| It makes sense, if you have roots in these areas | | | | death. It can also represent the five elements: |
| of the world, to add these symbols into the | | | | fire, water, air, spirit and earth. |
| design of your Celtic tattoo. This will give you a | | | | So, this is how you recognize a Celtic tattoo. You |
| more personalized design and be a talking point | | | | now know that you need a mixture of these |
| amongst friends and family! | | | | symbols in your design and a tattoo artist with |
| More Celtic Symbols | | | | some skill! |
| This is just the beginning of the story because | | | | |