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Celtic knots are incredibly important symbols believed to promote protection, spirituality and love… among many other powerful meanings. But what are the different types of Celtic knots and what does each one represent? From the Trinity Knot and the Celtic Cross to the Tree of Life, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Celtic knots and their importance throughout history.
Celtic knots are a symbol of the interdependence of the cycle of life and eternity. They also represent protection, love, unity, balance, new beginnings and spiritual growth. They are symbols of the four elements of fire, earth, air and water, along with Celtic pride.
Triple knot The three-sided trinity knot design signifies the cycles of life, death and rebirth. It is also associated with the natural elements of earth, sea and sky. In addition to these meanings for pagan Celtic civilizations, the early Christian Celts used the trinity knot as a symbol for the 3 parts of the holy trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.[3]
- Trinity knots are also called Triquetra, which is based on the Latin word for triangle.
Gives a knot The Dara knot is a symbol of strength, wisdom and power. Its name comes from the Irish word “doire”, which means “oak”. The Celtic pagans associated the oak (and all trees) with the door connecting the living with the dead. The design of the Gift of the Knot is supposed to look like the tangled roots of an oak tree and is considered a shield knot in Celtic culture.[4]
Love knot The Celtic love knot represents love in life and eternity. Intertwined knots were a symbol of love that the Celts exchanged at weddings, similar to how people exchange wedding rings today.[5]
Its design includes 2 intertwined heart shapes with no beginning and no end and dates back to 2500 BC.[6]Solomon’s knot Solomon’s knot is a symbol of both immortality and love. It consists of 2 intertwined oval shapes that have neither beginning nor end, like many other Celtic knots and meanings. It dates back to the Stone Age and is associated with King Solomon because it was seen in synagogues in the old world. The Celtic Solomon’s Knot also appears on ancient Roman floor mosaics throughout the Byzantine period in history.[7]
- The two intertwined oval shapes of the Solomon’s knot are also a symbol of love and unity and are compared to the Claddagh ring, which represents love and friendship.
Shield knot The Celtic shield knot represents protection, strength and endurance. It was a favorite of Celtic warriors who carved the symbol into their weapons and shields during battle. Outside of battle, the ancient Celts gave the shield knot symbol as gifts and carved it on doors to ward off evil spirits and protect the homes of loved ones. The Celts sometimes carved them into the tombstones of those who had passed away and gave them to newborns to protect them until they could protect themselves.[8]
- The Battersea Shield is one of the most famous Celtic shield knots and dates from 350-50 BC. Made of bronze, it looks like 3 Celtic shield knots surrounding 27 red glass pieces.
Hitch The Celtic sailor knot symbolizes protection and strength of spirit. It is known for having no beginning and no end, which is represented by the intertwined lines that visually represent the waves of the sea. Sailors kept and tied Celtic knots as reminders of loved ones who waited for them for months while at sea. Since the Celtic sailor’s knot was a symbol of family and loved ones, it can represent eternal love and friendship.[9]
- Sailor’s knots were also symbols of good luck and fortune and as a talisman for protection while sailing on the high seas.
Spiral knot The Celtic spiral knot represents the idea of eternal life. The number 3 figures prominently in many Celtic knot designs; here it can represent 3 phases of life (life, death, afterlife), 3 domains of earth (land, water, air) and 3 passages of time (past, present, future). A spiral knot consists of one continuous line that signals continuity, while spirals are signs of growth and transformation.[10]
Celtic cross The Celtic cross is a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Others associate it with the more traditional pagan meaning of the 3 female archetypes: maiden, mother and old woman.[11]
It dates between the 5th and 8th centuries of the Middle Ages and has an endless interlaced knot in the center of a 4-pointed cross. The circular shape at the center of the cross is said to represent Christ’s halo, the sun or eternity.[12]- Saint Patrick is thought to have used the Celtic cross as a symbol to help convert pagan kings to Christianity. It can be seen as a combination of the circular symbol for the pagan sun god and the Christian cross all at once.[13]
The tree of life The tree of life represents harmony and balance. It is also a symbol of strength, longevity and wisdom, as well as resilience and rebirth. The tree of life was a powerful symbol in the ancient pagan world that connected the elements of nature with the divine. The image includes branches reaching both into the sky and down into the earth. This image is a representation of the connection between the divine and the earthly.[14]
Bowen knot The Bowen knot is a symbol of togetherness and connection. It appears as a loop with 2 overlapping arcs that act as a physical characterization of the interconnection. The Bowen Knot is associated with binding agreements and promises and is a powerful representation of any oath or bond between people.[15]
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