| Celtic knots are a variety of endless knots | | | | Many ancient knots do not have a single path but |
| adopted by the ancient Celts who used them for | | | | rather several closed paths that are woven |
| decoration. The knot is perhaps most well known | | | | together and these can be seen as a metaphor |
| by their adaptation in the ornamentation of | | | | for the interwoven-ness of life and it is these |
| Christian icons and manuscripts. | | | | patterns that are frequently referred to as love |
| History and Significance | | | | knots. |
| Celtic love knots first appeared in the 3rd or 4th | | | | Celtic Art carries with it a secret language that |
| centuries AD having their origin in the art work of | | | | today makes it so fascinating and many believe |
| the later Roman Empire. Many patterns can still be | | | | the myth that every detail of Celtic art is |
| seen today on Roman floor mosaics. | | | | symbolic, yet many myths carry with them a |
| The Celts perfected spirals, step patterns and | | | | lesson about truth, so the symbolism that has |
| key patterns in their motifs before the Christian | | | | been lost of the centuries is kept alive by those |
| influence in about 450 AD changed this. From then | | | | who study the old traditions and who help keep |
| on this Celtic form of art was used by early | | | | them alive today. |
| Christians to decorate their manuscripts, adding | | | | Love Knot patterns |
| depictions from life such as animals and plants. | | | | The love knot represents two people bound by |
| These early patterns were called plaits and it is | | | | love, depicted by two intertwining overhand knots. |
| these intricately interwoven cords that are most | | | | Lovers exchanged love knots to admit their |
| commonly associated with the Celts. | | | | feelings. Today many variations of design exist, |
| In fact plait work predates knot work having its | | | | but what they all have in common is that they |
| origins in Northern Italy and Southern Gaul before | | | | are a representation of true love. |
| spreading to Ireland in around the 7th century. | | | | The Celtic oval or Spiral is the simplest form of |
| Today Celtic love knot work patterns are a form | | | | love knot which denotes eternity of life; this |
| of national identify and pride for many who live in | | | | design dates back to 2500 BCE made by early |
| Ireland, Scotland and Wales. | | | | generations of European, Scottish, Welsh and Irish |
| Eight elementary knots have been identified that | | | | Celts. |
| form the basis of almost all the patterns of this | | | | The Triple Drop love knot has three sides which is |
| Celtic art work, but there is no evidence that | | | | the embodiment of the three forces of nature |
| these knots have any religious or philosophical | | | | being earth, water and fire while one continuous |
| significance except that it shows the intricate | | | | line represents unity, strength, spirit and being. |
| work humans are capable of. | | | | The Celtic round love knot was much admired by |
| Symbolism | | | | ancient Celts as the other shape indicated the |
| Celtic love knot patterns consist of complete | | | | suns orb while the three interlocking spiral knots |
| loops that have neither a beginning nor an end. | | | | depicted the three forces of nature. There also |
| Often animals are found interlacing these cords | | | | exists a Celtic square love knot whose single |
| and any Celtic designer capable of more | | | | continuous line embodies love and loyalty; it is |
| sophisticated knot work will never leave a loose | | | | believed to have originated in Scotland. |
| end on a strand unless it stylised into an element | | | | Considered a sign of good fortune the Celtic four |
| of a spiral. | | | | love knot has four distinct interlocking circles that |
| In the language of love Celtic knot work defies | | | | represent the four seasons while around the edge |
| literal translation; its meaning should instead be | | | | are found double lines signifying love or friendship |
| looked for in a deeper level. The crossings which | | | | between two people. |
| are repeated often depict the physical and the | | | | Not to be forgotten is the Serpent love knot |
| spiritual, expressed in the interlacing of the knots | | | | which was taken from the Irish Book of Kells. |
| while the strand that has beginning and no end | | | | This design shows a serpent knot that has |
| represents the permanence and continuance of | | | | intricate patterns which are meant to stand for |
| life, love and faith. | | | | eternal life. |