| All cultures throughout history have placed a | | | | predates Christianity at least several centuries. In |
| significant importance to symbols. Long before the | | | | the center of the cross is often found a circle, |
| development of modern communications, ancient | | | | thought to represent the unity of nature. Since |
| cultures used symbols as a way to share | | | | the sun played an important part in the Celtic |
| information. The ancient Celts left behind a long | | | | belief system, the circle could also be the sun. The |
| history of symbolism and artistry that endures | | | | four points of the Celtic cross are said to |
| today. | | | | represent the four known natural elements of |
| The Celts are though to be the earliest Aryan | | | | fire, water, earth and wind. Another explanation is |
| settlers in what is now Europe. It is thought that | | | | that the four points represent the four corners |
| the Celts were driven westward by succeeding | | | | the earth. |
| waves of Teutons, Slavs and others. Referred to | | | | The five sided star or pentacle, is another |
| by the Romans as Gaels, the Celts were once | | | | dominate symbol in Celt history and has found its |
| the predominant race in what is not Britain, | | | | way into the design of Celtic jewelry. The |
| Ireland, France, northern Italy and parts of Spain. | | | | pentacle is widely associated with practitioners of |
| The Celts are thought to have reached the apex | | | | Wicca and other earth worshiping sects. The |
| of their influence in towards the end of the third | | | | symbol has been given a bad name by many |
| century B.C. It was a matter of time before the | | | | orthodox religions. Many orthodox religions |
| Celts fell before the great legions of the Roman | | | | equated paganism and earth worship with devil |
| Empire. | | | | worship. Even today, there are many mostly |
| Relegated to the northern reaches of Britain, | | | | Christian sects that claim the pentacle Satanism. |
| including Ireland, the Celts split into two factions, | | | | The Celts saw the symbol in its true sense, |
| one dominating Ireland and Scotland. The other | | | | representing the various stages of life, birth, |
| sect came to predominate what is now Wales | | | | childhood, adult life, aging and death. |
| and the rest of Britain. Like many pagan cultures, | | | | Another popular form seen in Celtic jewelry is the |
| the Celts were earth worshipers and had a | | | | Claddagh. Graced by a heart held by two hands |
| particular interest in the sun. | | | | and a crown, the Claddagh is a universal symbol |
| There was a great belief among the Celts that all | | | | of love, fidelity and devotion. |
| things on the earth were interconnected. No | | | | Like many other ancient cultures, the Celts placed |
| where is this belief more apparent than in the | | | | a great deal of emphasis on animals. This makes |
| intricate knot work that has come to symbolize | | | | given he belief that all life on earth is somehow |
| Celtic life. Often thought to be the work of angels | | | | connected. Very similar to Chinese culture, birds, |
| or other celestial beings, the knot work is now a | | | | horses, dogs, fish and serpents all had a special |
| staple in Celtic designs that can be seen in | | | | significance. While many people that Saint Patrick |
| paintings, sculpture and jewelry. Celtic knot work | | | | drove the snakes from Ireland, the act of driving |
| jewelry is very popular and requires a great deal | | | | out the serpent was merely a metaphor. The |
| of artistic ability to produce. The delicate braiding | | | | serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of |
| can be seen in a variety of rings, pendants and | | | | Eden so the metaphor refers to driving the devil |
| bracelet jewelry. | | | | out of a land that St. Patrick was trying to |
| The cross shape that dominates the Christian | | | | convert to Christianity. |
| religions is actually a creation of the Celts and | | | | |