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Celtic Motifs Irish Fireside 2007
1. IRISHFIRESIDE E-NEWSLETTER
Celtic Motifs
by Kat Behling
Thousands of years before the
dawn of Christianity, geometric
motifs played a prominent role in
both the ancient Celts’ religion
and artwork. The religious union
of mankind and the universal
cosmos, essential to the ancient
Celts’ spiritual beliefs, was
represented by powerful symbols integrating the two worlds.
Some of these motifs can still be seen today on stone
carvings in many parts of Ireland. Newgrange, one of the
oldest burial mounds in Europe, is highly-decorated with
carvings depicting spirals, crosses and other ancient icons.
The cross, now the universal symbol of Christianity, was
considered to be a sacred sign representing the bridge
between heaven (the universe) and earth (man). The pages
within the Book of Kells, Book of Durrow and other
illuminated manuscripts are adorned by various spirals,
patterns, ornamental letters and intricate knotwork. Other
symbols can be found on stone crosses, magnificent cloths
and jewelry, highly-decorated weapons and religious
monuments.
2. Here are other symbols and their ancient interpretations:
Circle – The sun; the moon; the infinity of time; birth,
death and rebirth; the human eye
The Wheel of Being – four circles (the four
elements) are unified by a fifth (balance)
The Celtic Cross – The circle defines God’s love as
unending, the vertical axis the spiritual world, the
horizontal axis the earthly world
The Single Spiral – One of the oldest motifs;
represents growth; flowing of energy; sometimes
used to represent the sun
The Double Spiral – The Equinox: when day and
night are of equal length; also a sign of balance
Triple Spiral (aka the “triskele”) – most recurring
element in Celtic art; 3 spirals radiating from a
common center; often found in illuminated
manuscripts; represents unity of the heart, mind and
soul; later represented the Christian Trinity
The Clockwise Spiral – The sun; cosmic energy;
growth
The Triquetra (Latin for “three cornered”) - the
number 3 was an extremely powerful number; later
the sign was adapted as the sign for the Holy Trinity
3. in the Christian church
Knotwork – Longevity and continuity
Chevrons – Resembling arrowheads, often occurs
as a repeat pattern; represents power
Waves – Life force flowing from the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life – Eternal life; seasonal cycles
Hands – Friendship; affection; love of work
Heart – Faithfulness; charity; compassion (Note: The
symbolic meaning of the heart and hands relates to
the Claddaugh Ring)
Dragon – Represents the four elements: earth,
water, fire, air; luck and power; fertility
Snake – Death and rebirth represented through
shedding of skin
Birds – Voyagers to the Otherworld; associated with
gods and goddesses
Dove – Peace
Peacock – Immortality; later used to represent Christ
Lion – Wisdom; dignity
Fish – Cosmic; later represented Christian
persecutions
Cat – Guardians of the Otherworld
Dog – Healer of body and soul; loyalty
4. The Symbols of the Four Gospels:
Matthew – Angel
Mark – Lion
Luke – Ox
John – Eagle