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Article #133: Understanding Celtic Wedding Rings

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Thousands of years ago, the Celts, a meaning behind the design. It's also easy
group of independent tribes spread enough to say that the ring is about how
throughout much of current day Europe, all things are interconnected, but this
were sophisticated artisans, carving knot is so general that it doesn't help
work patterns that have inspired modern explain why we may be attracted to the
day jewelers to create wedding rings. sacred geometry of one ring over another.
These motifs have meaning. Yet To do this, you can contemplate the
understanding the knot patterns and why various components that make up the knot
they make such ideal wedding rings can be work and try to determine how they are
illusive. The ancient motifs are rooted functioning. For example, consider the
in mysterious cultures that stretch back circle. We speak of a circle of friends
well before written history. and live in circular cycles, such as the
Though the earliest written accounts of day and the season. Native cultures
the Celts were from Roman descriptions, throughout the world hold ceremonies in
some knot work motifs found in Eastern protective circles. A knot work pattern
Europe may be as old as 20,000 years. We with circles or variations of circles
know the Celts, similar to Native people certainly has some important keys to
of North America, viewed that the earth relationships and community. In the
itself as well as all aspects of life and broadest sense, the ring itself is a
death as divine. They had a large and circle, and putting it on has also always
varied pantheon, worshipping local gods. been symbolic of sealing a commitment.
The natural world was considered sacred, A square knot motif concerns structure,
and every river, mountain and tree had which is why buildings use the shape of a
its own spirit of place. Rituals were square foundation. Squares certainly have
rooted in a particular oak grove or an element of stability. Numbers were a
waterfall. Early Celtic leaders even significant part Celtic lore, and the
mocked human-like images of Olympian gods number five represented the four
or the wild animals of their vale and directions and the center point.
forests. Many Celtic rings also deal with vectors
Knot work, which has become synonymous that travel in a certain direction. If
with today's idea of "Celtic" was you look at the shape of an arrow, it's
undoubtedly a form of sacred, artistic easy to understand why a triangle might
expression. Some of the most famous connote movement.
designs were preserved in highly Another common Celtic motif is the knot
embellished, illuminated manuscripts, work depicting a trinity. Many Celtic
such as the Book of Kells which somehow deities had three forms. The Mother
survived the Viking invasions. It was Goddess was understood to the maiden,
created in the 9th century at a monastery mother and crone. The universe was viewed
off the Scottish coast, and depicts as heaven, earth and otherworld. We are
wonderfully imaginative images of humans born, we live and we die. Certainly the
and animals embellished with knot work trinity knot also illustrates the One
motifs, linking medieval Christianity being dividing off into the masculine and
with ancient Druidic culture. feminine, or the mother and son-- a
In Western culture, there is a long and mystical truth contemplated in many
venerable tradition of artists that have sacred traditions.
been inspired by knot work motifs. Celtic While the above guide for understanding
design was particularly popular in the knot work is not necessarily based on any
Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, scholarly or anthropological text on the
Michelangelo, and Raphael studied and meaning of knots, it does provide a
depicted knots in their work. In modern starting point that is based on a
times, some of Picasso's early art is universal perspective. Every Celtic ring
highly influenced by knot work. And there is going to have some variation of these
has always been a group of metal and shapes. Spending some time contemplating
visual artists that have kept the Celtic the motif may yield some insight.
fires burning by using the knot work Though modern jewelry techniques allow a
patterns in jewelry and other forms of greater range of possibilities than the
artistic expression. Celts had during the time of the Romans,
For some people, the choice to have a finding an exceptional Celtic wedding
Celtic wedding ring is an expression of ring at a local jewelry store may not be
their wish to connect deeply into their possible. The best place to search is on
own ancestry. They feel empathy with a the internet, which has the widest
European based tribal tradition that selection. Today you can find rings made
treats the earth as Mother. It's also with platinum, or white and yellow gold
easy to fall in love with soulful Celtic accented with diamonds. Some of the most
music and poetry. Others simply want the beautiful rings are bi-metal, where the
one piece of jewelry that they wear every knots are one color, such as white gold,
day to have a beautiful design with while the rim of the ring might be yellow
significance. gold. There is a wide range of class and
Whether one has Celtic heritage or not, a price.
Celtic motif wedding ring is appropriate Your wedding ring is a once in a life
because it has universal, symbolic time purchase that you will live with
meaning. In the most general sense, the every day. It must be aesthetically
knots express two different paths woven beautiful. The knot work on the rings
together. Life itself can be viewed as a should be well executed. It should have
great web of interconnectedness which is some meaning that makes sense for you
expressed in the knot work. Even our own which should be explained on the website.
spiritual path, metaphorically, can be The best jewelry designers offer
viewed as a tapestry of interconnected engagement ring sets, along with the
experiences. The Celtic wedding ring is a option of having a wider band for the
talisman which reminds us, in physical gent and a narrower of the same knot work
form, of our mystic connection with motif for the lady. You'll want it
another person and the great web of life. comfort fit, which means that the band
This weave of particular experiences tapers slightly toward the center, making
makes us unique, which is why we are it easy to wear. Since it is very likely
attracted to some knot work patterns on within the course of a marriage that
wedding rings more than others. What you'll gain or loose twenty pounds, it is
appeals to you and your fiancé may well most advantageous to choose a ring with a
bring insight to the nature of your sizing band.
relationship. Some couples are attracted The company you choose should have a
to knot work motifs that are simple and record of creditability backed up by
flowing, which perhaps illustrates a customer service, guaranteeing their
partnership based on harmony and ease. product. Give them a call and see if they
Other knot work designs on wedding rings are worthy of doing business with. A
are more dynamic and complicated, track record of timely delivery is also
suggesting creative elements, or essential. It's not uncommon for a ring
passionate peaks and valleys. from outside the US to be held up by
Many Celtic merchants will label a Customs, for example.
particular design as "Friendship" or Finally, the most important thing is to
"Unity" but often there's not any real trust your feelings. The rings should be
basis for these labels. These facile tags unique and resonate with your own
short change the person interested in the profound, sacred connection and
ring by giving a concept instead of commitment to your beloved.
assisting them to understand the deeper






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