Celtic Music The word ´Celtic´ (read ´keltick´) has found its way into the vocabulary of the modern man. Even though it used to be mentioned mostly in contexts dealing with history, nowadays you can find the ´Celtic´ label on many products and projects. Some sources say that it is now officially ´cool to be Celtic´. Hundreds of people have recently come up with some ´Celtic stuff´, everything from doing music and dancing to, for instance, cooking. The popularity of Celtic music is constantly soaring and it deserves to be mentioned when discussing modern music, not only music of the British Isles. Most of the world is surely familiar with the music of the famous Enya and...

Learn how to create a balance in your time and work by applying the theory of the Four Elements -- earth, fire, air and water -- to the way you manage your time. Here is a model of time management, that, although highly original and innovative, is based on a theory that is several thousand years old. The theory is the theory of the Four Elements. According to the Ancient Greeks, all matter in the universe was comprised of just four elements: earth, fire, air and water. These four elements are not just real. They're also symbolic. And they represent the four key elements of time management. When you hold these four elements in balance through the tasks you perform, you bring to your life a rich...

As we all can see, the practice of Scrapbooking is quite a rage today. It has spread like wild fire all over. We see everyone around us indulging in this vibrant art. Scrapbooking can be called an art which employs the visual medium to preserve thoughts, ideas, feelings and memorabilia. The main focus of Scrapbooking is to create an impact through the visual medium. It uses several art and craft forms to do so. When a person surfs through his scrapbook after several years, it serves as an interesting read for him. The art of Scrapbooking has had its origin long back. In ancient Greece, people preserved their thoughts, feelings, ideas, emotions and daily routine in notebooks called 'hyponemata...

There can be little doubt that a Celtic tattoo is very popular at the moment, especially amongst the glitterati such as movie stars, sports stars and rock/pop stars. If you are planning to get one inked, you need to know the difference between a real 'Celtic' tattoo and a 'tribal' tattoo. There is a difference and, hopefully, this article will put you on the right track! Knot Work It is essential to look for excellent knot work in the design of your Celtic tattoo; an authentic Celtic knot has no beginning or end. Why? Well, this 'never-ending' knot design is a symbol of infinity in areas such as faith, love and life. These kind of knots have been used by meditators for centuries because they are...

Take a glance at a bookstore's baby names shelf, and you'll see that Irish baby names are a very popular category. But for many prospective parents, Irish names can be very confusing. Many different races have settled in Ireland over the centuries. Celts, Vikings, Normans, and English have all gone into the melting pot. It was once believed that the first wave of Celtic settlers were a fair-haired race, while later settlers were of a darker complexion. However, recent evidence seems to contradict that idea. It is now believed that very ancient settlers to Ireland came across the sea from Gaul (modern France) and Spain, and were probably a dark-haired people. The periodic arrival of newcomers to the...

Traveling in a new place is usually not an easy task. It would be much better to utilize your traveling time more efficiently if you could have a more understanding on the transportation facilities of your destination. This article introduces four types of transportation facilities in Paris which gives travelers to have a more in-depth understanding on Paris's transportation services. 1. Metro and RER Metro is the subway in the city while the RER (Reseau Express Regional) is the railway in the rural area. The subway service of Paris is started in 1900. Up to the present moment, there are 13 routes of subway and 4 routes of RER with total 367 stations which covers most parts of Paris. Therefore, if...

If you are looking for a unique yachting holiday or vacation, you should try a sailing voyage to ancient city of Cnidus in Turkey. Cnidus is an ancient site in Turkey that is being closely studied by archaeologists and historians. Ramazan Ozgan, the archaeology professor of Konya Selcuk University in Turkey, who has been presiding over the excavation studies in Cnidus for 16 years, is working with a group of 22 students; in addition, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Ehrhart from Freiburg University also is working to uncover the rich heritage of Cnidus. Centuries ago Cnidus, originally a Phoenician settlement, was a major Dorian city, celebrated for its temples, theatres, statue of Aphrodite, the world's first...

The prom night is a short term for the 'promenade' used to define a formal dance ceremony in US and Canada. It is an event that is held at the end of the academic year. There are many types of prom night. It varies from country to country as well. In UK it is considered as the season of the classical concerts or 'proms' whereas in North America it is thought as the Leaver's ball, Valedictory Ball, Leaver's Dinner or the Leaver's Do. It is held in the school among seniors and juniors. The both events are held separately that is Prom for seniors and prom for juniors are separate. It was first derived in nineteenth century from the word promenade ball, and then the tradition changed, it was then termed...

Have you ever thought of marrying a Russian woman? It may sound abstract and meaningless. Why would you marry a Russian woman far away from your home and culture? Why would you marry at all? The second question is what you have to decide alone, but the first one has some reasonable answers so it is worth considering. Actually, wives from Russia are very popular all over the world. There is some kind of mystique that surrounds around these women. The elemental truth is that Russian women are mostly beautiful thanks for genetic traits. On the other hand, their beauty comes from the fact that they do want to look attractive for men. But apart from the look, Russian women have traditional family values...

Rome has so much to offer to the world, not only by the various pieces of art and its massive and intricate architecture. Its history also speaks a lot of how great Rome is even before. Roman Art The arts of ancient Rome can be compared to those of the Greek's. They do have their similarities. This can be attributed to the fact that when the Romans decided to conquer the Greeks, the former noticed how art was infused into the lifestyle of the latter. Out of curiosity and love for Greek art, Roman soldiers decided to bring such culture right at their own land. They also brought artists-slaves with them. Thus, if you will take a good look Ara Pacis, you will notice the fancy swirls, which are so Greek...

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte had himself anointed and crowned Emperor of France. The furniture style known as Empire is a style of majestic grandeur that Napoleon felt fitting to honor his glory. He considered himself the greatest world ruler since Julius Caesar. The Empire style is the last of the great French styles that widely influenced furniture design throughout the world. During his rule, Napoleon conquered Italy and Egypt. He was overwhelmed by his conquest of these countries. He brought back to France archaeological wonders of Egypt, the long-forgotten ancient empire. He was proud of his conquest of Italy and Egypt and proudly considered himself as the first worthy successor to...

Hiring a car is the easiest way to to get to and from Dublin Airport, but some people. never drove a right hand drive car before. You might think it is uncomfortable or even dangerous. Don't be afraid. It's actually easier than you think. Here are a few tips on driving your rental car on the Irish roads. One of Ireland's Senator suggested Irish motorist should drive on the right side of the road to facilitate tourists and foreigners when they drive on Irish roads. I admit that his idea made me thinking. A couple of questions came to my mind, like, "Did European countries always drive on the left ? " "Did everybody drive on the left and later switched to right-hand traffic?" "Why and when did it...

Sure, 'tis a fine time to give a party St. Patrick's Day. Make it a family party invite the Caseys, the McCarthys, the Flanagans, and the O'Tooles. Include the Smiths and the Joneses, for we know, no matter what the name of your friends they will enjoy this type of fun. Decorations are no problem with plenty of green and white tissue to cover the lights, and decorate the table. Don't neglect clay pipes and shamrocks in your decoration scheme. Invitations need be only simple little notes printed on green shamrocks: 'Tis St. Patrick's Day We're celebrating 'Tis the wearing of the Green You'll not be forgetting March 17th, 7 P.M. Meet your guests at the door with a big green top hat filled with numbers...

Ghazal originated in Iran in the 10th century A.D. It grew from the Persian qasida, which in verse form had come to Iran from Arabia. The qasida was a panegyric written in praise of the emperor or his noblemen. The part of the qasida called tashbib got detached and developed in due course of time into the ghazal. Whereas the qasida sometimes ran into as many as 100 couplets or more in monorhyme, the ghazal seldom exceeded twelve, and settled down to an average of seven. Because of its comparative brevity and concentration, its thematic variety and rich suggestiveness, the ghazal soon eclipsed the qasida and became the most popular form of poetry in Iran. The ghazal came to India with the advent and...

Now that you have decided to tie the knot, the most important question is the kind of wedding ring that will symbolize the marital status of the couple. Wedding rings have always been a symbol of everlasting love between the couple. It's strange to know that though women have been wearing wedding rings for eons, men started wearing it only recently, since the Second World War to be precise. It's important to decide upon the type of wedding band the man wants to wear, as this might be the only piece of jewelry that he may wear in his lifetime. So a myriad of decisions have to be made before selecting the perfect wedding band for the man. Firstly, the ring should match the personality of the...

1850's Russian physiologist I.M. Sechenov developed a vacuum blood pump which was laterly used for research purpose. [8] 1864 Sir George Gabriel Stokes, 1st Baronet, an Irish physicist and mathematician, discovered the respiratory function of haemoglobin. [1,2] 1876 Karl von Vierordt, a German physician who developed techniques and tools for the monitoring of blood circulation, used a light source to distinguish fully saturated blood from that which is not. [1,3] 1898 English physiologist Halden brought forward the principle of chemical expulsion of oxygen from its complexes with haemoglobin. J.Barcoft used this principle for the examination of gas composition of blood. [8] 1900 R. Vierordt...

Learn how this mysterious food has woven its story throughout multiple cultures and continents impacting civilizations culturally, socially, economically, and spiritually. A journey through the history of chocolate reveals that this mysterious food has woven its story throughout multiple cultures and continents impacting civilizations culturally, socially, economically and spiritually. A study of the history of chocolate begins by going back in time to the realm of the Maya Indians and the Olmec Civilizations of Central America. The word cacao was found in the Olmec vocabulary nearly 3,000 years ago. The hot, humid, but shady climate of the tropical rain forests of this region was perfect for...

Halloween night would not be complete without some spectacularly scary Halloween costumes. The first question that any kid often asks when they wake up the day after Halloween is, "Where is all my Halloween candy?" and this is quickly followed by, "What am I going to dress up as next year?" The anticipation of dressing up in a spooky costume and Halloween mask gets everybody excited. The biggest thrill of Halloween has got to be transforming yourself into a monster, ghost, ghoul, vampire, witch, or other freaky Halloween costume characters. Of course, the most outrageous Halloween costumes are the best. Where Did Halloween Costumes and Masks Originate? Where did wearing Halloween masks and costumes...

I think that people who are unfamiliar with mermaid stories will be surprised by them. Most probably think that the mermaid is a passive, vulnerable creature like the mermaid in the movie "Splash". Nothing could be further from the truth. These are powerful beings with strong personalities. In various legends they cause storms, sink ships and drown the crews, cure illness, foretell the future and, of course, bewitch men. The origin of the mermaid reveals the source of their strength: they were goddesses - and important ones at that. In the oldest religions the creator god is usually a goddess. Later goddesses are often associated with fertility which is another form of the power of creation. Long...

Not only is the Mojito one of the most popular cocktails in the world, but people love to talk about it too. It's mentioned on TV, it's in books it's doing the talk show rounds, it's all over the place. So I looked it up a few recipes to see what all the fuss was about. It's a minty drink with rum. Sounds like something I would like, so I decided it was time to try the Mojito. Before picking a recipe to try I decided to do a little research first. Let's see, it's a Cuban cocktail that makes a great summer drink. Sounds good so far. It also says that it was Ernest Hemingway's second favorite drink besides the Daiquiri. Wow, it's got history too. And due to Barcardi's recent advertising it's enjoying...

The collection of stories that comprises Greek mythology describes the exciting lives of the gods and heroes of ancient Greece, including the origins of the world, the birth of the gods, and the volatile times in which they lived. Many of today's modern traditions, rituals, and even many literary expressions can all have their origins traced back to the days when Titans, Giants, centaurs and heroes ruled the earth. Many gods, goddesses, and elaborate mythological creatures are brought vividly to life through the tales of ancient Greek mythology. The Cyclops, the Pegasus, and Medusa all can be found in its stories. Greek Mythology in Literature Many ancient yet famous writings were entirely based...

Why collect old paper? I hear this question a lot when I tell people that I'm interested in ephemera. For those unfamiliar, ephemera is commonly defined as transitory written and printed matter that was produced for short-term uses-not intended to be retained or preserved. Aside from ephemera being an interesting and often valuable collectible in its own right, it has several practical applications for everyday life, including: 1. Historical Research. Authors and historians use ephemera for deep research into companies, people, and products. And many genealogists find it to be indispensable in their work. Ephemera collections are housed at many universities, libraries, and museums specifically for...

All cultures throughout history have placed a significant importance to symbols. Long before the development of modern communications, ancient cultures used symbols as a way to share information. The ancient Celts left behind a long history of symbolism and artistry that endures today. The Celts are though to be the earliest Aryan settlers in what is now Europe. It is thought that the Celts were driven westward by succeeding waves of Teutons, Slavs and others. Referred to by the Romans as Gaels, the Celts were once the predominant race in what is not Britain, Ireland, France, northern Italy and parts of Spain. The Celts are thought to have reached the apex of their influence in towards the end of...

When people think of knot work design what typically comes to mind are Celtic motifs from England and Scotland. Like most people I knew nothing of the knot work design coming out of the Buddhist and Hindu cultures of India until I spent a month in the South Indian city of Chennai. Walking in the early mornings, I'd find intricate knot work patterns drawn out free hand with flour on the streets in front of homes. Initially, my question was, how did these designs, so common in Celtic knot work, end up in India? These artistic scrolls were known as Rongoli, which is a combination of two words: "Ranga" means God and "Oli" meaning to be pleased. A devout Hindu friend explained to me that the designs were...

Iceland is a country located in the north of Europe. The surprising thing about Iceland is that although entire Europe is connected with a very good network of railways, this is a country which can be accessed only by air transport or sea transport. The culture of this country is full of amazing colors. Infact it was because of the culture and somewhere the expectation of freedom and adventure that motivated early Vikings to settle here way back in ninth century. Basically, it is believed that Icelanders are of Scandinavian origin with a small mixture of Celtic blood. Even now also, for every individual in Iceland, their freedom and self-respect is the thing the matters the most. The political...

There is a vast underground oil reserve in the Middle East region of the world. It has been in use for over 6,500 years. In ancient times, it seeped to the surface in sticky black pools and lumps. Oil springs, bitumen seeps and oil-bearing rock made petroleum readily available all over the region. Stone Age dwellers used bitumen (pitch or tar) to seal cracked pots and water containers. They also used it to fasten arrowheads to their shafts. In what is now Iraq, people lived in the marshes. They used oil to make bricks and mortar for waterproof homes, helping them to survive floods. In Babylonian times, entire civilizations used millions of these bricks to build their cities. The "black gold" trade...

There are two major different types of art galleries, but once you get past those two distinctions, there are as many different types of art galleries as there are types of art. Art gallery is the name given to a place where some type of visual art is displayed. The two different types of art galleries are the art museum and the contemporary commercial art gallery. An art museum is usually publicly owned and is not in the business of making a profit, but rather displaying and preserving art. It also exists to educate people about art. Some examples of famous art galleries in the United States are the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C, and the St. Louis Art Museum. Contemporary art galleries...

Virtual tourists are encouraged to cast their vote for the archaeological site Ancient! Contemporary! Futuristic! Second LifeÂ(R)? Famed archaeological site and finalist towards becoming a new seventh world wonder, Chichen-Itza, will be making its debut in the virtual world, Second LifeÂ(R) (SL) on June 10, 2007 at 1:00 pm PTD, featuring a seven hour music showcase. SL is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents with the participation of more than seven million people from around the world. Virtual tourists will be able to enjoy an array of interactive and life-like attractions at the Chichen-Itza virtual site, where they can climb or fly over the great pyramid El...

Do you want to get rid of freckles instantly? Then follow what the Irish recommend: anoint your face with the blood of a bull or hare and your problems are over! Too hard for you? Check out this preventive measure from Filipinos: don't eat barbecue or any fried foods on Good Friday so you won't have freckles. While doctors say that freckles are harmless and don't signify a health problem, a lot of people don't want them. That's understandable since these pigment cells can make you look ugly and old. Perhaps that's the reason why our forefathers tried desperately to eliminate them. No wonder they came up with these silly superstitious beliefs about freckles - some of which survive to this day. The...

Deriving its name from the ancient Persian term meaning 'city where the wind blows', the city of Baku is the capital and the largest city of Azerbaijan. Home to about 3 million people, oil-rich Baku is one of the most famous petroleum-producing centers of the world. Along with its oil-rich economy, the city of Baku with its vast number of theaters, operas and ballet, enjoys a rich and vibrant cultural life of its own. The city of Baku is also famous as one of the leading cultural and educational centers of the Caucasus. At the same time, with its large number of scenic gardens, fountains, seaside marvels and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Baku is fast becoming famous all over the world as the jewel of...

All throughout the world, it can be said that the items a group of people create reflect their culture. This is because different cultures express or manifest their beliefs and their perspectives in a number of ways, including the way they make items such as jewelry. One example of this is the way the Chinese prefer using jade for jewelry, as it is their belief that jade brings good luck and fortune. Another example is the influence of Catholic tradition on certain cultural items such as necklaces adorned with the crucifix. For the Celts this is very true, as the jewelry they make and wear also reflects a rich Catholic tradition. Among the most common Celtic jewelry that the Irish wear, the...

Though it has become very popular in Western Cultures in the past few years, native people groups around the world have used the tribal tattoo for various purposes for thousands of years. A brief history of these uses will give people who may want a tribal tattoo a better idea of exactly what they want in a tattoo. More than just designs, these tribal symbols are often fraught with meaning and can signify many different aspects of human life. While there are many different cultures that provide the basis for tribal tattoos, we will look at just a few of them here in order to develop a basic understanding of the most popular types. The first style is found in ancient Egypt. Tattoos of hieroglyphics...

Greece, many wonders are popping into my minds that are associated with this word. Greece is the country that has everything: a very rich history, many legends, mighty mythical Gods and picturesque views of its lands and sea. It is a sin not to travel at least once in a lifetime to Greece and plunge into its culture and beauty. Everyone has to try and enjoy living in a bed and breakfast made to look in appearance like Flintston's house with a luxurious modern touch and unique charm. People are attracted to Greece like a magnet for a few main reasons. First, they want to visit archaeological sites there like: 1. Acropolis and Parthenon. 2. Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery of Athens Archaeology Site and...

Ancient Rome was a civilization that was founded on the Italian Peninsula in the 9th century BC. The city of Rome grew from settlements around a fort on the river Tiber. The civilization was started from a small agricultural community which later grew into a large empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. In its 12 centuries of existence, the civilization shifted from a monarchy to a republic to an autocratic empire. According to a legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC by Romulus and Remus. The two were descendants of the Trojan prince Aeneas. Legend has it that the two were raised by a she-wolf. Ancient Rome contributed greatly to the development of architecture, law, art and language in the...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a television celebrity or movie superstar? It seems as though everyone today is obsessed with the lives of their own personal favorite stars. Could you imagine every time you leave your home, being photographed and judged for everything you wear, the way you fixed your hair. Did you forget to put on underwear? People everywhere spend a bundle of money on magazines just to get the latest gossip; whether it is true or not, and to see what is hot and trendy in the fashion world. We often know more about our favorite celebrities than our own family and friends, perhaps because their lives are so extravagant and over the top! Several celebrity weddings...

When it comes to tattoos, one of the world's most requested designs are Irish tattoo designs. There is no arguing about it. With its interesting history and the imagery of Ireland reflected on all Irish tattoo designs and the meanings that comes with every pattern, it is not a wonder why people of non-Irish descent, are so enamored with it, oftentimes infusing it with a meaning of their own. I know you would, too. Over the years Celtic and Irish tattoo designs have merged and had came to be known as one and the same, except for a handful of designs that are truly Irish such as harps, the shamrock, and the claddagh symbol. Celtic patterns and knot work have long been considered to be Irish and these...

In the early years of Pennsylvania, the Penn family invited settlers of all kinds to colonize the state. To this call, responded many Irish, mostly from the northern Irish provinces. The massive Irish emigration was unexpected and they were not the most respected people. But it was too late to retract the open immigration policy. The Irish settled in the counties of Chester, Lancaster, Northampton and Northumberland. As well, a large population settled along the Maryland line in the area disputed between the Penns and Lord Baltimore. This land was suitable to squatters, which many of the Irish were, because it was not yet for sale and was considered hard to govern, given the land dispute...