Irish Celtic Symbols

The Celts were first recorded as being loose groups of tribes who lived north of the Alps, close to the Danube River in Europe. The Celts have always been regarded as being nomadic and over the next few hundred years they arrived in Ireland around 500 BC; it is suspected they arrived in groups which gradually spread across the country. By the 5th century they were established and their language was widely spoken all over Ireland.

Celtic Symbols Meanings
Irish Celtic symbols evolved over time and were meant to honor the spirit of the enduring culture. Yet today understanding these symbols is difficult as no writings exist in order to substantiate or explain their meanings. What is known has been established and conjectured by learned academics that have made it their mission to study and understand these ancient people.

One thing everyone agrees on though is that the Celts loved symbolism and made visual representations that date back as far back as 3000 BC which illuminate their beliefs and customs. Something that appeals today is the belief that Celtic design patterns or shapes hold secret meanings.

Irish Celts believed their symbols had powers and used them in almost every area of their lives from jewelry to weapons, tools and religious icons.

Irish Celtic Knots
When we think of Celtic knots we mostly think of the designs that were created by Irish Christian monks who adopted these symbols during their attempts to turn the Celts away from paganism.

Knot Work is perhaps the greatest signature left by the Celts. This pattern is perhaps the most meaningful of all Celtic symbols as it represents how everything and everyone is connected to all things. Many have three points which are thought to symbolize the holy deity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This type of Knot Work is commonly known as the Trinity Knot or the Celtic Triquetra. This knot takes individual strands and wraps them back onto itself. It also symbolizes the connection between body, mind and soul.

Irish Celtic Spirals of Life
The Celtic Spiral is second in importance only to Knot Work. They existed long before the written word in Ireland and are considered one of the oldest symbols associated with Celtic heritage. Many believe that Spirals represent the spiritual balance between the inner and outer consciousness.

Spiral
The Triple Spiral can be found on many ancient Celtic stone carvings and dates back to around 2500 BC. Some scholars argue that this Spiral represents life, death and rebirth while others argue that it represents male, female and child on the path of life, it would also represent the Triple Goddess.

Another Celtic Spiral worth noting is the Triskele, also known as the Triskelion. This Spiral consists of three prongs and is often used as a starting point for more complex designs. Some believe that it represents the three ages of womanhood while others believe it represents the Holy Trinity, whatever the meaning this Spiral is based on the number 3 which itself is another important Celtic symbol believed sacred by the Celtic Druids.

Druids
Celtic Druids believed in three separate worlds and the ability to transmigrate between them. They believed in a world above this one which represented happiness, a world below this one which signified misery and the world in its present state. The reason behind transmigrating was meant not only to purify the soul but also as a means to punish and reward. They believed that in the present world good and evil were balanced and that they had the freedom to choose or reject either.

The Quintessential Shamrock of Ireland
The Druids were thought to revere this plant for the secret meanings hidden in its three leaves, the number three being sacred to them as they related it to the Holy Trinity. The shamrock was originally known as the 'seamrog' in the Irish language but was later been anglicized to the word Shamrock.

The Celtic Shamrock is also associated with Christianity for its sacredness and purity and symbolizes the spiritual quest of St. Patrick who desired to share the word of God with the Celtic pagans.

Shamrocks are today identified as being uniquely Irish even though many may not even be aware of the Celtic heritage.

By Tim Lazaro
PressSearch.org