Celtic Symbols & What They Represent

Ancient Spirals and Knot designs can be found all over the British Isles, but surprising to many, they're all over Europe too. The designs shown below have been given a basic and simple description. I'm an artist, not a historian, so I'll leave it to the specialists to give you a full history. I love this art because, at it's most basic, it represents complex ideologies. These are akin to being some of the world's first logos!

		Circle - Anything unending represents God's love, the Alpha and Omega, birth, death, rebirth. It's unending, as are the cycles and seasons of life. Now you know what that wedding ring really represents...
		Triskelion - The name is Greek for Three Leg. It does look like three running feet doesn't it? It's associated with progress & competition. It can be found in the Coat of Arms of the Isle of Man.
		Pentacle - This five pointed star represents the five elements - earth, air, fire, water and spirit. It can also represent the five stages of life - birth, youth, adulthood, old age and death.
		Wheel of Being - Here you see four directions united by a fifth. In the Druidic Universe the four powers, or elements, are united by the fifth balance. Earth, Wind, Fire & Water united!
Spirals >
		Clockwise Spiral - Most single spirals are drawn in a clockwise direction. It represents the sun. It symbolizes the idea of growth, expansion and cosmic energy.
		Double Spiral - This represents the Equinoxes, the Solstices, when day and night are equal. It's also a sign of balance
		Triple Spiral - Three is a powerful number. This spiral represents the Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Crone - or the three stages of a woman's life.
		Triple Spiral with Triangle Centre - Druidic Threefold Sister Goddess - Folta, Eiru & Bamba. In wicca it's also the threefold mother goddess, Maiden, Mother, Crone, as above.
		Spiral Maze - Found in the chamber of the New GRange Burial Mound, this maze is symbolic of how one must navigate through life. In order to get through it one must traverse by walking, skipping AND dancing - vary your pattern. Moderation can be as much a handicap as the extreme. We also have an outer path, as we do an inner path. You must balance unity with duality, add and even, to escape the maze.
Knot work >
		Triquetra - This is latin for three cornered. In ancient times 'three' was an extremely powerful number. It was later adopted as a sign for the Holy Trinity in Christendom.
		Triquetre with Circle - Found in various Celtic Illuminated manuscripts, it may represent fish (Pisces). It symbolizes the power of three acting as one.
		Earth & Temporal Life - These two never-ending knots represent unending life cycles, one earth and one spiritual world intertwined. This is our spiritual journey here on earth. It is also said to offer protection against evil.
		Brother of the Arrow - This type of design symbolizes male virility and power as well as male bonding. A warrior! Wear this if you want to be successful in battle.
		Butterfly - This beautiful little bug represents Rebirth, transformation and flight. This is one of my own knot work designs.
		Dragon - The dragon can be found in countless celtic illuminations, and even more in stories of celtic myth. It represents luck and power. It is a symbol of fertility for crops and cattle. Any animal design is called a Zoomorphic. One of these days I'll add a page with info on the various animals found in heraldry, folklore and art.
TATTOO DESIGNS!		You can purchase the rights to use ant of these designs. Since these ones are such simple designs I'm happy to offer them for just $10.    I'll email you a PayPal invoice. Once that's paid you'll receive your High Resolution Image File and a PDF version of your Letter of Permission. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you're ready to get your tattoo!