| The pre-Anglo Saxon people in Europe were | | | | which early Celts were able to see them off the |
| known as Celts. They lived throughout what is | | | | coast of Ireland during calm weather became a |
| now Great Britain, Ireland, and even France, | | | | symbol of friendship, intelligence, and good luck. |
| southern Germany and Spain. Their ancient culture | | | | The griffin, a mythological animal which is part lion |
| was complex with its own language, earth-based | | | | and part eagle was regarded as a symbol of the |
| religion, folklore, and music and art. Many modern | | | | duality of life. |
| day descendants of the Celtic people have chosen | | | | The Claddaugh is also a common design element |
| to recognize their heritage by getting a tattoo in a | | | | to Celtic tattoos. It is a picture of a heart held by |
| traditional Celtic design. | | | | two hands with a crown on top. The design is |
| The most notable feature of Celtic art is the | | | | meant to convey the sentiment: "With these |
| intricate, interwoven lines known as "knots" which | | | | hands I give you my heart and crown it with my |
| look like braided ropes or vines and are often | | | | love". It is a very romantic tattoo suitable for |
| made into symbols like a cross, a star, or a simple | | | | commemorating a wedding or the discovery of |
| geometric design like a circle. | | | | your soul mate. |
| Another one of the most common reoccurring | | | | Historians have discovered that Celtic warriors |
| themes in Celtic art is a design using the number | | | | often tattooed themselves with patterns as a |
| three in a circular shape. Some times the three | | | | form of intimidation. They fought battles |
| arms of the design will be a fish or another | | | | bare-chested, and the symbols they tattooed on |
| creature, and sometimes it is just decorative. The | | | | their bodies served as a sort of permanent |
| number three has many Christian and | | | | war-paint. |
| pre-Christian spiritual connotations. Prior to the 5th | | | | As you can see, Celtic tattoos can be both |
| century, the Celts were polytheists with a large | | | | masculine and feminine. From delicate religious |
| array of both gods and goddesses. After Rome | | | | symbols, animals or botanicals, to broad and bold |
| invaded Europe, Christianity was spread to the | | | | tribal style tattoos there are many ways for you |
| Celtic people, but many of the ancient traditions | | | | to express your heritage. Talk to your favorite |
| continued on, or were adapted to appear | | | | tattoo artist for some suggestions on designing a |
| Christian. | | | | Celtic tattoo that incorporates some of these |
| Other popular designs incorporate animals in the | | | | elements, along with others that will make your |
| Celtic style. Butterflies, cats, dogs and geese are | | | | tattoo unique and special. |
| all commonly found in traditional artwork. Dolphins, | | | | |