Irish Celtic Symbols

The Celts were first recorded as being loose groupsassociated with Celtic heritage. Many believe that
of tribes who lived north of the Alps, close to theSpirals represent the spiritual balance between the
Danube River in Europe. The Celts have always beeninner and outer consciousness.
regarded as being nomadic and over the next fewSpiral
hundred years they arrived in Ireland around 500 BC; itThe Triple Spiral can be found on many ancient Celtic
is suspected they arrived in groups which graduallystone carvings and dates back to around 2500 BC.
spread across the country. By the 5th century theySome scholars argue that this Spiral represents life,
were established and their language was widelydeath 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 Meaningsrepresent the Triple Goddess.
Irish Celtic symbols evolved over time and wereAnother Celtic Spiral worth noting is the Triskele, also
meant to honor the spirit of the enduring culture. Yetknown as the Triskelion. This Spiral consists of three
today understanding these symbols is difficult as noprongs and is often used as a starting point for more
writings exist in order to substantiate or explain theircomplex designs. Some believe that it represents the
meanings. What is known has been established andthree ages of womanhood while others believe it
conjectured by learned academics that have made itrepresents the Holy Trinity, whatever the meaning this
their mission to study and understand these ancientSpiral 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 CeltsDruids.
loved symbolism and made visual representations thatDruids
date back as far back as 3000 BC which illuminateCeltic Druids believed in three separate worlds and the
their beliefs and customs. Something that appealsability to transmigrate between them. They believed in
today is the belief that Celtic design patterns ora 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 usedworld in its present state. The reason behind
them in almost every area of their lives from jewelrytransmigrating 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 Knotsbelieved that in the present world good and evil were
When we think of Celtic knots we mostly think of thebalanced and that they had the freedom to choose or
designs that were created by Irish Christian monksreject either.
who adopted these symbols during their attempts toThe 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 bysecret meanings hidden in its three leaves, the number
the Celts. This pattern is perhaps the most meaningfulthree being sacred to them as they related it to the
of all Celtic symbols as it represents how everythingHoly 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 holyanglicized to the word Shamrock.
deity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This type of KnotThe Celtic Shamrock is also associated with
Work is commonly known as the Trinity Knot or theChristianity for its sacredness and purity and
Celtic Triquetra. This knot takes individual strands andsymbolizes the spiritual quest of St. Patrick who
wraps them back onto itself. It also symbolizes thedesired to share the word of God with the Celtic
connection between body, mind and soul.pagans.
Irish Celtic Spirals of LifeShamrocks are today identified as being uniquely Irish
The Celtic Spiral is second in importance only to Knoteven though many may not even be aware of the
Work. They existed long before the written word inCeltic heritage.
Ireland and are considered one of the oldest symbols