There is a special place in history for Celtic Crystal Design, and one of its main representations is the Celtic knot and its many variations. A Celtic knot consists of complete loops with no beginnings and no end. Through the years, the knot has been thought to represent love, loyalty, friendship, and faith. The fact that they are complete loops has also been associated with the interconnection between life and eternity. When it is given to a loved one in a ring, it means the desire to be together for eternity.
Some of the first representations of the Celtic knot have been found in an old manuscript known as the Book of Kells. People fell in love with its design, and it started spreading quickly from the Roman Empire, where handicrafts have been found to include the Celtic knot to architectural patterns belonging both to the Islamic and Byzantine civilizations.
Different Types of Celtic Knots
There are several types of Celtic knots, among them:
The Trinity Celtic Knot or Triquetra
This is certainly the most popular of all Celtic knots. Its Latin meaning is triangular or made up of three corners. It is easily recognizable because of its three interconnected ovals, one pointing up and the other two pointing left and right.
It has been interpreted to represent not only life, death, and rebirth but also past, present, and future, or earth, sea, sky, or the Holy Trinity.
The Celtic Spiral Knot
As one of the oldest Celtic designs, the spiral knot is believed to stand for eternal life. Its design features a single continuous line and, as such, has been linked to the oneness of spirit. Many examples of this spiral design have belonged to the Neolithic Age in Europe. Its whirls are associated with continuous growth.
The Sailor’s Celtic Knot
It is believed that sailors first created this knot by intertwining two ropes. The purpose is said to have been for them to remember their loved ones who had been left behind. It represents a bond that can never be broken or separated.
The Dara Knot
The Irish word for oak tree is “doire,” where the name for this knot comes from. It represents the Irish’s connection with nature, all living entities, and their belief that there are doorways that open into other worlds. The Dara knot is believed to be the symbol of strength, referring to the strong roots of a tree that rise from the soil and have no end.
The Shield Knot
The shield knot stands for protection. It was used either on the battlefield or when a loved one fell ill since it is believed it could protect them from the dangers of evil spirits. Its four corners represent an unbreakable barrier that lets no evil through.
The Celtic Love Knot
As a representation of the love that holds two people together, this Celtic knot has one of the oldest and simplest designs. Belief has it that this was a knot used by the Celts much like couples exchange rings at their weddings in modern times.
Ultimately, you can choose your favorite Celtic knot to represent your love for a special person or simply to satisfy your taste for a Celtic knot ring.
