Understanding Celtic Wedding Rings

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