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