History of Celtic Knots

Celtic knots are well established but were you aware that they are not restricted to the Celts? They in fact can be seen at an earlier time in history in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by threads or ropes, intricately woven, not inevitably in the shape of a knot. Occasionally they are continuous, i.e. without any loose ends, when they are called Gordian knots, after the legendary knot that Alexander the Great endeavored to unravel. When he was unsuccessful, as he must be for the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it through, cutting it in two pieces so as to create two ends.

Early Uses of Knotwork

Elaborately knotted patterns are found in decorations from the Roman Empire chiefly during the third and fourth centuries A.D., especially in floor mosaics. Previous to the Christian impact on the Celts, i.e. before in the region of 450 A.D., Celtic art work integrated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian texts from the Celts exhibit these patterns in addition to more representative work depicting plants, animals and other images from life. Initially these knotted patterns of woven plaits were also seen in many other places and time periods. The earliest instances of Celtic knots may be seen in the Gospel book which was created in in the 7th century in Northern Britain and is now in the collection at Durham Cathedral.

Early Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to an endless woven thread and is found in earlier art work before the emergence of true Celtic knots. The original designs characteristic of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and  they spread to Ireland by the seventh century. Though we associate this variety of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there were carried to other regions of Europe by roaming monks. In our time Celtic knots are associated with Scotland, Wales or Ireland.

The Trinity Knot

A famous type of Celtic knot, called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is seen at first in very old Germanic runes and coins from the northern region of Europe where it was used as a pagan religious symbol, perhaps linked to Odin the Norse god. The Trinity knot is associated with the Insular art period of Celtic and was used in illustrated manuscripts, such as the famed Book of Kells, and on metal work. It was usually used alongside other types of Celtic knots and very seldom used on its own. Though we do not know if the triquetra had any emblematic significance to the Celts more contemporary renditions have given it a special importance as a symbol of things that are threefold, for instance, as mother, daughter and granddaughter, the past, present and future or the Holy Trinity.

The Use of the Celtic Knot in Contemporary Jewelry

Now the Celtic knot is a well-liked pattern in both gold and celtic knot silver jewelry. Lots of designs are created and Celtic knots are found on earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings and wedding bands. The Trinity knot is a popular design and the intricate knots so cherished by the Celts are likewise admired by wearers of Celtic knot jewelry today.

This entry was posted on 01/02/2010 at 03:12 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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