Chali Center

The advent wreath thought to have originated in Germany and Scandinavia has have deep roots into the early days of Christianity. Often made of evergreen and using candles to add light to the long winters the advent wreath has become a staple in Christian homes. As we have come into the modern age the customization of the advent wreath as taken this once utilitarian item and made it into a home decor item for the home or church in the modern day. Often the advent wreath is cut from pewter, brass, or other base metals and has words and design cut into them that more customizes the wreath to the homeowner or the parish. One of the most popular designs is the Celtic Cross Advent Wreath.[..]

The Celtic people once existed across the width and breadth of the European continent. Form the shores of Ireland to the hills of Northern Italy, the Celts were a presence and a power for centuries. Now though, we have only a few scattered remnants of their culture, their language, and their history to remember them by. The Celts have become one of history's greatest mysteries, a people maligned and honored in equal measure by those who came after. The strongest concentration of Celtic influence remaining in the modern world exists in the British Isles, fittingly enough. It was there, in Scotland and Ireland, that many believe the Celts to have made their last stand against the tide of[..]

Travelling to the UK's capital city this year? If you would like to learn about culture and history during your stay then you are spoilt for choice as London is home to many of the most fascinating Museums in the world! The following are some of the Museums that we recommend you visit as part of your trip to London so please read on… The British Museum Located at Great Russell Street, The British Museum was esthablished in 1753 and originally was drawn from the collections of Sir Hans Sloane. It consists of major works from prehistoric times to modern day, with collections coming from all over the world. You will find historical works such as the Rosetta Stone, Portland Vase, treasures[..]

ail of bullfighting, flamenco and sangria, Spain is a country blessed with rich history and culture. Add beautiful beaches and warm climate, and it’s evident why Spain is the world’s second most visited country. The demise of Franco opened Spain to a curious world. A booming tourist industry allowed the country to grow, revealing its history and way of life to an interested planet. Each town revels in its individual brand of architecture, none more so than Barcelona, bearing the architectural signature of Antonio Gaudi. The Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela is believed to be the world’s oldest hotel. Buildings in the far south of Spain retain a[..]

Swords first appeared between 1500 and 1100 B.C. in Celtic Britain and Minoan Crete. Almost immediately after they were first crafted, swords became not only useful for combat, but also for sport. For example, one of the earliest depictions of swords is a relief found in a temple built in northern Egypt, depicting an ancient fencing match. In fact, fencing and swordplay became so popular that Ninus, king of Assyria, used fencing masters to train his troops for battle. It was the Romans, however, who truly advanced swordsmanship to an art. They admired and appreciated swords as truly valuable weapons on the battlefield, and perhaps more importantly at first, in the gladiator ring.[..]

The origin of the Welsh Dragon is believed to be from the Roman 'draconi' standards of the cohorts. The cohorts were far more numerous than the legions, especially after the legions withdrew. The people who remained behind probably naturally considered the dragon the symbol of the Roman civilization to which then now belonged and to which they were now defending from barbarian invaders. It is thought that the resistance to the Saxons was originally organized by Romans or 'Romanized' Britons. So then the Dragon seemed to be the most natural emblem for their battle standard. The Welsh people are said to date back to about the seventh century, with the advance of the Saxons, they were[..]

Halloween Invitations for Halloween Party Celebrations Planning a Halloween Party, can be plenty of fun but you can have an even better time choosing your Ghost Halloween Invitations, if you know a little bit about the history of the season. Let's start with the origins of the date and name. The name is actually a corruption of All Hallow's Eve. You see, All Hallow's Day was a religious event for the worship of Catholic saints. The festivities always took place on November 1 so October 31st became known as All Hallow's Eve. Of course, the day was significant long before the Catholic religion became a dominant force in Europe. For the Irish Celts, the day was known as Samhain and was[..]

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[..]

West Cornwall West Cornwall comprises of the most southerly and westerly points of mainland Britain you'd be right to expect a region of extremes. In winter the coastline is battered by fierce waves, but in summer the waves lap calmly along the shore making west Cornwall's seashore a playground for bathers and families. The inland moors hide prehistoric stone circles and ancient Celtic burial grounds, while west Cornwall is the heart of Cornwall's thriving artistic communities and is full of creative art venues, superb restaurants and a lively social scene. This picturesque Cornish region is a celebration of Cornwall's past, present and future. The views at this remote rock outcrop at[..]

Amber is a fascinating substance. It is commonly regarded as a gemstone but unlike most others it does not have a mineral origin. Deposits of resin from certain pine trees were fossilized at the bottom of the sea for millions of years creating amber. It is known for its many inclusions that ensure each piece is unique. The inclusions are generally small pieces of plant or insect matter that fossilized within the resin. Due to this amazing preservation technique archaeologists have come to regard amber as a window into biological history. Mining Amber Amber is collected in a number of ways. In certain areas, notably around the Baltic sea, it washes up onto the shore. Due to this amber[..]

Irish jewelry is renowned the world over - in fact, we've been making it since about 2000BC! There's even been some artefacts found from earlier times like the Gleninsheen Collar, which is thought to have been made around 700BC! The Celts arrived in Ireland around 500BC and were excellent jewelry makers. They used gold, bronze and silver to create wonderful pieces like bangles, collars, torques and brooches. Between about 2000BC and 500AD Celtic jewelry became extremely popular due to its distinctive style and was traded across Europe. In these earlier times, jewelry was made for practical reasons such as pinning clothes together. It was also seen as a symbol of status. A form of ancient[..]

tionally, the Christmas tree was not put up until 24th December, Christmas Eve, and it was taken down on 6th January, 12th Night. The Germans used to put their tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down on 1st January, once the New Year celebrations were over. However, modern commercialism dictates that a lot of trees now go up as early as the first or second week in December. This has been made possible by the fact that a lot of people use artificial trees - to bring a real fir or pine tree indoors that early would result in falling needles and half bare branches by Christmas Day. The history of the Christmas tree certainly has its roots in Pagan traditions. The Norse pagans and Celtic[..]

Our fascination with "magic" conjures up visions of mystique and intrigue that we seem to long for in our lives. History and stories of lore have mystified and enchanted us, continually tantalizing our desires to quench that unnerving thirst for a bit of the miraculous. Modern day magicians continue their predecessors' practice of illusionary entertaining, satisfying our need to believe in something more; our need for a bit of mystery and a taste of the exotic. This desire and quest for the power of magic has spanned the ages, leaving us now with aspirations to capture some of that sparkle in the here and now. From the hierophants of ancient Egypt to the alchemists of the Middle Ages,[..]

in the form of crosses have been popularly attached to the Christian faith as the Jesus suffered and was crucified in this lasting icon of sacrifice. It is no wonder that these crosses have come to symbolize not only pain and suffering but love as well. Often crosses would have names inscribed within it to symbolize that this person will always be in their hearts forever. Today The Cross Tattoo is not restricted to Christian faith alone. In fact, the cross tattoo is a popular choice among women like Britney Spear who has a pink and black cross on her hip, and Eva Langoria and Jenna Jameson and who both have crosses on their backs. This is partly because this type of tattoo has come to be[..]

Did hypnosis exist in ancient times? How did people use hypnosis in their life? Below I will show you how hypnosis existed in the early ages of civilization. In ancient times, hypnosis was used for healing purposes, especially in religious ceremonies. The earliest evidence of its existence was shamans. Shaman paid special attention to the concentration before healing. He avoided the use of any chemicals or alcoholic substances in the first 24 hours of the process. Because he needed a strong concentration, so he avoided anything distracting. During the process, shaman made himself as comfortable as possible, which allowed shaman’s subconscious mind to become strongly focused. Then he[..]

Gift giving is not just about receiving/giving to each other, forms of gift giving are said to date back to the beginning of the human race. Although being able to prove this is impossible we see the tradition of giving gifts right back through recorded history. In ancient societies gifts were given/received as a means of bartering, possessions and land were passed on as gifts through a way of inheritance. With leaders of societies gifts were given to give thanks, gain favor, renew or gain friendships with other dignitaries. Ancient Rome was one of the earliest to give gifts for specific dates in the years. At new years celebrations gifts were given. This started as very simple small[..]

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by millions of people each year. This year to make a friend or family members St. Patrick's Day, that bit more special, try sending them a free e-card. Free e-cards are quickly becoming the fast affordable way of sending ecards. St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, whose missionary work in that country lasted for thirty years, during the course of which St. Patrick consecrated 350 bishops, converted no fewer than 135,000 Irish citizens, not to mention traveled extensively and made his Christian name so well known that places named after him exist throughout Europe to this day. Born Maewyn Succat in Roman Britain in 387 C.E., the event most significant in[..]

If you do not have gold chains in your jewellery collection yet, you should add a few as soon as you can. These are jewellery pieces that you need to have in your wardrobe. When you are in a pinch and you cannot decide how to accessorise your outfit, you can just put a few gold chains around your neck or around your wrists. This will instantly add a touch of elegance on what you are wearing. Gold chains are also handy with expressing your own style. You can create a variety of looks with these golden chains by stringing them with pendants and charms. As thus, you do not have to buy a lot of necklaces or bracelets just to have a new look every time you have to dress up. You can simply[..]

You need to have a few gold chains in your jewellery collection. That is because gold chains are like the little black dress - if you cannot decide on what jewellery pieces to wear, you can just throw on some chains around your neck or wrists. They add an instant touch of elegance and sophistication even on your most casual outfit. Another great thing about gold chains is that they are versatile. You can match them with pendants and charms for a unique look. You do not have to own many necklaces or bracelets just to have a different look each time you dress up. All you need to do is to attach a pendant or a few charms on your chains and you are ready to go. There are so many kinds of[..]

Celtic Spirals Spirals are some of the oldest known Celtic symbols. Prominently displayed on ancient artifacts dating long before the written word in Ireland, the symbols of the Celtic Spiral are second only to Knotwork designs as the symbols most associated with Celtic Art. These mythical spirals are among the oldest symbols associated with Celtic Art. They are believed to represent the spiritual balance between inner and outer consciousness. People from many lands herald Celtic symbols designs such as the cross, the spiral, and even knots as the emblem of their heritage because the people known as "Celts" lived in many areas of modern-day Europe. The Triple-Spiral, otherwise known as[..]

Halloween is a great tradition that is a part of most everyone's childhood memories. Kids (and many adults, too) get to dress up and be something or someone else for a day. They get to go from house to house, knocking on doors and asking for candy. The holiday originated with Celtic rituals dating back thousands of years, and the first official citywide celebration of Halloween in the United States took place in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921. As the years have gone by, however, fears have increased about the safety of children during the holiday. The days are gone when anyone would allow their child to roam the streets at will and unsupervised. Halloween can still be a fun and safe[..]

Celtic Spirals Some of the oldest symbols associated with the Celts are Celtic spirals. Prominently displayed on ancient artifacts dating long before the written word in Ireland, Celtic spirals are second only to Knotwork designs as the symbols most associated with Celtic art. These mythical spirals are among the oldest symbols associated with Celtic art. They are believed to represent the spiritual balance between inner and outer consciousness. People from many lands herald Celtic designs as the emblem of their heritage because the people known as "Celts" lived in many areas of modern-day Europe.  The Triskele, or the Triskelion The triskele, otherwise known as the triskelion, is a[..]

If you want to see some of the most unusual sights that France has to offer, read on. From underground catacombs to mysterious standing stones, there are some truly bizarre sights to see in France. 4 Unusual Places to Visit When Camping in France Been to France before and think you've seen it all? Think again! France's biggest attractions are amongst the most well known and most visited in the world, but away from the Eiffel Tower and the Chateaux of the Loire Valley there are plenty of other unique and bizarre attractions. If you are going camping in France, you'll probably be looking to plan some exciting day trips. If you'd like to see something a little different, here are five[..]

Halloween or Holloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31 in most countries. Irish immigrants carried versions of the Halloween tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other coutries followed suit in the twentieth century. It is generally thought that the holiday originated from a Irish holiday known as Samhain, which was celebrated in Ireland and Scotland during harvest time for many many years. The time of year when harvesting was completed and animals were brought from summer pastures to shelter for the winter months was known as Samhain. Fruits, vegetables, grain, and animals, were burnt as gifts to the Gods in big bonfires during Samhain. This was done[..]

only by the ancient Egyptians in craftsmanship and uniqueness of design, Celtic jewelry dates back before the time of Christ and the word enchanting is the term that always comes to mind when thinking about the designs in general. Human beings have been fascinated by the mysterious and the mystical for centuries. Of particular interest has always been the two-tone jewelry design that the Celts were so well known for. Serving as a reminder of ancient Celtic rituals, this jewelry boasts a rich history and flaunts a proud tradition. Two-tone jewelry has become the more popular as far as composition and design of the more modern jewelry items is concerned, with yellow and white gold being[..]

Cake decorating Halloween themes can be a blast. The cake actually has become an essential part of our celebrations today. May that be a birthday, wedding, anniversary, homecoming party or a house warming ceremony, with the festive food you will find a decorated cake on the dining table. So when it is Halloween time you will find a cake to match the festivities. The tradition of Halloween dates back thousands of years to Celtic rituals. People believed that on once a year the human world and the other dark world of the spirits and ghosts overlap. It is possible for the spirits to return to earth. The date was fixed as October 31. In the olden days the Celts celebrated their new year on[..]

The ancient Celtic New Year festival of Samhain became known in Christian times as Halloween when like many other ancient Celtic festivals it was adapted by Christianity. It marks the end of Celtic pastoral year when the herds of domesticated animals were led back to the shelter of their stalls for the winter and the beginning of the new year which is marked by ancient customs of ritual cleansing and renewal. Great splendid, dramatic and terrifying events occur at this time and it is the occasion of joyful celebration. Throughout the Celtic world, all fires were extinguished and ritually reignited from the sacred druidic ceremonial fires. All night the landscape was illuminated by[..]

The bodhran is a musical instrument with a universal purpose. It is literally a skin tray and is very popular in the Celtic world like Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This has been in existence and in use for more than a thousand years in so many ways. Bodhrans are suitable for winnowing and still being used for such purpose in some third world countries like India and Africa. For those who are familiar with the bodhran they will see it as a sieve or simply a skin tray. It can be used as a sieve anyway when holes are punched in the skin. Bodhrans often resemble a sifter like that one that is being used in construction sites. This is also a type of musical instrument[..]

Celebrated at the beginning of November, the Celtic Festival of Samhain marked the coming of the winter months, with their dimming light and heightening darkness. The root of the word “Samhain” comes from “samhradh”, meaning “summer” in Irish Gaelic. While the exact etymology has not been confirmed by scholars, in Celtic tradition, “Samhain” corresponds to “end of summer” (a combination of samh “summer” and fuin “ending, concealment”).  Samhain and Beltanne (May Day) stood in opposition as the beginning of the season of winter and summer, respectively, but Samhain was a much more prominent festival and may have marked the beginning of the Celtic New Year as[..]

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill Though a casual observer of a Celtic knot tattoo may see it as merely a piece of beautiful body art; the meaning of this Celtic symbol has much deeper roots. Most Celtic knots are of a rich design of spirals, mazes along with knots. The Celtic knot tattoo is complex and many of the designs were used along with zoomorphic animals in Celtic stonework, woodworking and jewelry. The Book of Kells, the famous Irish book is where most of today's tattoo artists get their inspiration for the body art requested by those wishing to display their Celtic heritage. The Book of Kells Irish monks circa 800 AD produced a manuscript with illustrations that were ornate and[..]