| The Celts were first recorded as being loose | | | | oldest symbols associated with Celtic heritage. |
| groups of tribes who lived north of the Alps, close | | | | Many believe that Spirals represent the spiritual |
| to the Danube River in Europe. The Celts have | | | | balance between the inner and outer |
| always been regarded as being nomadic and over | | | | consciousness. |
| the next few hundred years they arrived in | | | | Spiral |
| Ireland around 500 BC; it is suspected they | | | | The Triple Spiral can be found on many ancient |
| arrived in groups which gradually spread across | | | | Celtic stone carvings and dates back to around |
| the country. By the 5th century they were | | | | 2500 BC. Some scholars argue that this Spiral |
| established and their language was widely spoken | | | | represents life, death and rebirth while others |
| all over Ireland. | | | | argue that it represents male, female and child on |
| Celtic Symbols Meanings | | | | the path of life, it would also represent the Triple |
| Irish Celtic symbols evolved over time and were | | | | Goddess. |
| meant to honor the spirit of the enduring culture. | | | | Another Celtic Spiral worth noting is the Triskele, |
| Yet today understanding these symbols is difficult | | | | also known as the Triskelion. This Spiral consists |
| as no writings exist in order to substantiate or | | | | of three prongs and is often used as a starting |
| explain their meanings. What is known has been | | | | point for more complex designs. Some believe |
| established and conjectured by learned academics | | | | that it represents the three ages of womanhood |
| that have made it their mission to study and | | | | while others believe it represents the Holy Trinity, |
| understand these ancient people. | | | | whatever the meaning this Spiral is based on the |
| One thing everyone agrees on though is that the | | | | number 3 which itself is another important Celtic |
| Celts loved symbolism and made visual | | | | symbol believed sacred by the Celtic Druids. |
| representations that date back as far back as | | | | Druids |
| 3000 BC which illuminate their beliefs and customs. | | | | Celtic Druids believed in three separate worlds and |
| Something that appeals today is the belief that | | | | the ability to transmigrate between them. They |
| Celtic design patterns or shapes hold secret | | | | believed in a world above this one which |
| meanings. | | | | represented happiness, a world below this one |
| Irish Celts believed their symbols had powers and | | | | which signified misery and the world in its present |
| used them in almost every area of their lives | | | | state. The reason behind transmigrating was |
| from jewelry to weapons, tools and religious icons. | | | | meant not only to purify the soul but also as a |
| Irish Celtic Knots | | | | means to punish and reward. They believed that |
| When we think of Celtic knots we mostly think of | | | | in the present world good and evil were balanced |
| the designs that were created by Irish Christian | | | | and that they had the freedom to choose or |
| monks who adopted these symbols during their | | | | reject either. |
| attempts to turn the Celts away from paganism. | | | | The Quintessential Shamrock of Ireland |
| Knot Work is perhaps the greatest signature left | | | | The Druids were thought to revere this plant for |
| by the Celts. This pattern is perhaps the most | | | | the secret meanings hidden in its three leaves, the |
| meaningful of all Celtic symbols as it represents | | | | number three being sacred to them as they |
| how everything and everyone is connected to all | | | | related it to the Holy Trinity. The shamrock was |
| things. Many have three points which are thought | | | | originally known as the 'seamrog' in the Irish |
| to symbolize the holy deity of Father, Son and | | | | language but was later been anglicized to the |
| Holy Spirit. This type of Knot Work is commonly | | | | word Shamrock. |
| known as the Trinity Knot or the Celtic Triquetra. | | | | The Celtic Shamrock is also associated with |
| This knot takes individual strands and wraps them | | | | Christianity for its sacredness and purity and |
| back onto itself. It also symbolizes the connection | | | | symbolizes the spiritual quest of St. Patrick who |
| between body, mind and soul. | | | | desired to share the word of God with the Celtic |
| Irish Celtic Spirals of Life | | | | pagans. |
| The Celtic Spiral is second in importance only to | | | | Shamrocks are today identified as being uniquely |
| Knot Work. They existed long before the written | | | | Irish even though many may not even be aware |
| word in Ireland and are considered one of the | | | | of the Celtic heritage. |