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