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The Trinity Knot
The simplest of Celtic Knots symbolizing a triune God. The Celts were very familiar with the idea of the trinity, everything came in threes; the three stages of womanhood:maid, mother, crone, and the three elements: earth, fire, water and Christianity embraced this knot to symbolize the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in many of the early Christian illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. The combination of the trinity knot into rings, linens, jewelry, and other bridal designs is associated with eternity and eternal love. The trinity predates the crucifix by hundreds of years.
The Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross can be found throughout the countrysides of Ireland, Scotland, England and all the Celtic Islands today. Some of the cross date back to the period of the Druids when St. Patrick came to Ireland to bring Christianity to them. The Druids used large stone to mark territories and land masses. Each cross found in Ireland today will tell you a story or a part of history that is timeless to see. The Celtic cross is a Latin straight cross with a circle around the center of the cross. It was said that St. Patrick was told of a great stone that the Druid worshiped that was of circular shape. St. Patrick draw a Latin cross through the stone shape circle to bless it, trying to relate to their symbols of their belief to draw them to Christianity. This was the first recorded Celtic Cross. The circle today represents no beginning and no end (eternal life) and to other the circle represents the sun. The Celtic Cross has become a large representation of Irish culture and history. It is wear be many as a symbol of their culture and their faith. The Celtic high cross were probably the most important achievement in the entire history of Irish sculpture. Generally sculpted from sandstone and reaching a height of twenty feet.
The Celtic Knot
The interlacing lines of the Celtic Knot stands for “no beginning, no ending, the continuity of everlasting love and binding together or intertwining of two soul or spirits.” Christianity has embraced much of the ancient Celtic symbolism and had adapted many Celtic Knots into high crosses and illuminated manuscripts. Celtic knots date back to the 5th century and were used extensively by ancient monks in illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and Book of Durrows. The Celts did not record the meanings behind the designs they recreated but scholarly speculation is that the symbols represented basic tenants of life, mankind and spirituality. The continual looping of the designs suggests themes of eternity and interconnectedness. Interwoven figures of people and animals may have represented the interdependent nature of life. Two of more knots laced together symbolized lovers, God and man, and so on. Some ancient Celtic symbols have changed in meaning over time, having been influenced by the introduction of Christianity and the influence of other cultures. Circle knot represent eternity or the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. Triangles represent the threefold dominion of earth, sea, and sky or God, Son, and Holy Spirit. Square knots are shield knots, symbols of protection. Interlaced animals and men represent relationship, or emphasize the interdependence of mankind and nature.
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