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Celtic knots are well known but did you know that they are not exclusive to the Celts? They actually appear earlier in history in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by threads or ropes, intricately woven, not necessarily in the form of a knot. Sometimes they are continuous, i.e. without any loose ends when they are called Gordian knots, named after the famous knot that Alexander the Great attempted to untie. When he failed, as he must as the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it through, cutting it in half in order to produce two ends.

Early examples of Knotwork

These intricately knotted patterns are seen in art work from the Roman Empire during the third and fourth centuries A.D., especially in floor mosaics. Before the Christian influence on the Celts, i.e. before about 450 A.D., Celtic art work included key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian manuscripts from the Celts show these patterns plus more representative art were depicting plants, animals and other images from life. Initially these knotted patterns of interlaced plaits were also found in many other places and times. The very earliest example of a Celtic knot can be seen in the Gospel book which was created in the seventh century in the north of Britain and is now in the cathedral library at Durham Cathedral.

Early Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to an unbroken woven cord and is seen in earlier work prior to the appearance of true Celtic knots. The first designs characteristic of Celtic knots was seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and  they spread to Ireland by the seventh century. Although we associate this type of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there carried to other parts of Europe by traveling monks. Nowadays typical cell signal is associated with Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

The Triqetra

One type of Celtic knot, called the triquetra, is seen originally In very early Germanic coins and rune stones from the northern part of Europe where it was used as a pagan religious symbol, possibly associated with the Norse god Odin. The triquetra is associated with the Insular art period of Celtic and was used in illustrated texts, such as the famous Book of Kells, and on metalwork. It was generally used along with other types of Celtic knots and very rarely used on its own. Although we do not know if the triquetra had any symbolic significance to the Celts more modern interpretations have given it a special significance as a symbol of things that are threefold, such as the Holy Trinity, the past, present and future, or mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Many people throughout the world find the symbols and meanings of Celtic jewelry designs fascinating and love to collect gold or silver celtic knot jewelry. There are many lovely pieces of jewelry depicting Celtic knots and other celtic designs and it can be fascinating collecting jewelry with either a particular type of design, for instance trinity knots or a collection including all designs and styles. It can give more meaning to your collection if you know something about the history and legends of the Celtic people who used these designs in their everyday life and on their jewelry and everyday objects. Although meanings of Celtic knot designs are, in general, lost to us nevertheless a great deal is known about the history if the Celtic people.

The period of the history of the Celts dating from around 600 AD. in Great Britain after the Roman Era, known as the Insular Art period, saw an explosion of jewelry crafting and design. Artisans used precious metals to make many intricately designed pieces decorated with the well known Celtic knots but also spirals and animal symbols. In addition to jewelry, illustrated manuscripts were produced the most famous of which is the Book of Kells. Stone crosses were carved with the Celtic symbols and could be seen throughout the British Isles, in Ireleland, Scotland and Wales.

Designers of Celtic Knot jewelry today are inspired by the objects that were produced during this period taking their inspiration from the illustrated texts, relics and stone crosses still seen around the land today. Irish craftsmen are skilled in making fine jewelry in gold and silver bearing the intricate designs so loved by the Celts in the past. They decorate their designs with the intricate knotwork seen in these ancient relics.

The original meanings of many of the designs have been lost to us and many meanings have been made up by modern people so finding out the original meaning of manay of the designs is difficult and in many cases impossible. However historians can agree on a few things about the celtic knot designs. The intricate knots represent how all things are inter-connected and also represents God’s eternal love. The Book of Kells is richly illustrated in bold colours with Celtic knots. The Celtic knot is perhaps, the best known and most widely loved Celtic symbol and is a feature of many pieces of fine jewelry including rings, wedding bands, pendants and crosses.

Trinity knots, or triquetra are frequently seen in objects from the Insular Art period especially in illustrated texts such as the book of Kells and in metal work. It was usually used in combination with other knots and was often used as a space filler rather than a stand alone design. In recent times the triquetra has become a Christian symbol representing the Holy Trinity or as a symbol of special threefold things such as Grandmother, Daughhter and Granddaughter.