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Celtic Symbols: Cultural Expressions of Love and Faith

You don't need to be of Irish, Scottish, or Welsh descent to appreciate the beauty and meaning behind Celtic symbols. From handcrafted silver Claddagh rings to replica garden statues of medieval Irish crosses, the influences of the Celts have made their way into many people's lives.

Besides the infamous four-leaf clover, many people consider the Claddagh symbol to be an Irish icon. Named after the town of Claddagh in Ireland and attributed to a former slave from the area who returned to present the lost love of his life with his handmade treasure, the Claddagh ring is a classic Celtic symbol. The hands encompassing the heart are said to represent friendship, the heart itself symbolizes love, and the crown atop the heart is an expression of loyalty.

The Claddagh can be found on many items but is most often associated with pieces of jewelry. Claddagh rings are commonly given as gifts to be shared amongst friends as well as lovers and its significance is symbolized by the hand on which it is worn as well as which direction the heart is pointing.

The Celtic cross, also called an ionic cross or cross of Saint Columba, is another commonly recognized Celtic symbol. Large medieval Irish crosses made of stone were once referred to as "high crosses." Nowadays, such crosses can be found in many sizes ranging from the aforementioned garden statues to jewelry pieces. However, the design of these modern day Irish crosses is fairly consistent.

The circle encompassing the four points of the Irish cross is often said to be symbolic of a halo or an expression of eternity. The cross itself often features intricate knotwork patterns collectively called interlace which are said to not only be Celtic symbols of the interconnectivity of our spiritual life with our physical life but to also represent a never-ending path.

The Celtic knot meaning associated with the wide variety of interlace patterns is a widely discussed topic of interest for those who study Celtic symbolism. While many Celtic knots are said to have no specific meanings associated with them, many people believe that it's more a matter of lack of documenting such meanings than a failure to assign significance. There are books describing, depicting, and interpreting the Celtic knot meaning for such symbols as the eternity knot, the lover's knot, and the trinity knot, otherwise known as the triquetra knot.

Regardless if you're looking for the meaning behind a Celtic spiral symbol, trying to locate the perfect Celtic knotwork pattern for your tattoo, or marketing the Claddagh wedding ring you've designed, you can rest assured that you'll find the information and sources that you're searching for here on the internet.

Society of Celtic Shamans re-membering the Faery Faith. Travel to Avalon and Come, tread the paths of Avalon and sail to Tir na nOg. We are a non-profit society remembering the ways of our Celt ancestors.

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