The Celtic Knot
The
Celtic knot, whether square, triangle or round, symbolize "no beginning,
no ending"...the continuity of life and relationships and the binding
together of both. The ancient Celts created Celtic knots reminiscent of the
walking mazes,such as the famous maze at Chartres, which may have been a Celtic
ritual art form.
The
Triknot or Trinity knot symbolized the elements of earth, water, and sky. The
Christians adopted the trinity knot to represent the Holy Trinity of Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. It was also used by the Celts as a symbol of family.
The round
knots are especially apparent in the artwork of the Celts. Although the Celts left no written
history, their artwork speaks volumes as to the deep connection the Celts had
with their physical environment. It was their religion. The Celtic knot is
believed to symbolize this connection between the tame and the wild, the
organic and the supernatural.
The Celtic Cross
The
Celtic Cross is possibly the best know symbol of early Christianity found in
Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. The Celtic cross predates the Christians
and was first used by pagans. The pagans worshiped the sun and the circle
connecting the arms represented the sun, the center of their world.
During
the great conversion of many pagans to Christianity, Christian philosophers
adapted the Celtic Cross and taught the meaning of the circle to represent
Christ, the center of Christianity. Each Celtic
Cross is a self-contained monument, some of them as high as twenty feet with
their most prominent characteristic being the center circle.
The Story of the Luckenbooth
The
Luckenbooth brooch was so called because it was sold from “locked booths” on
the Royal Mile adjacent to St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the early
1700s. Traditionally, it was exchanged between lovers on betrothal.
The
Luckenbooth was also pinned on the shawl of newborn babies to protect them from
“evil spirits.” And in this way, it has been passed down from generation to
generation in Scottish families, and has become a valuable heirloom as a symbol
of love and protection.
The
intertwining hearts or inscribed phrases such as “of earthly joys thou art my
choice” are evidence of its purpose, and a surmounting crown is symbolic of
Mary Queen of Scots. The
Luckenbooth is probably the most romantic and one of the loveliest brooches in
Scotland’s history, and makes a particularly perfect and unusual present for an
engagement, wedding, birthday or baby
gift.
The Story of the
Irish Harp
Based on
the ancient lyre, the Irish harp is one of the world's oldest instruments. The
ancient Irish kings employed harpists to entertain them and in the 12th century
the historian, Giraldus Camrensis, wrote about the skill of Irish harpists and
the haunting "sweet sound" of their instruments.
At one
sad point in Irish history conquering invaders made it illegal to possess an
Irish harp, and set out to burn every Irish harp in a failed attempt to kill
the "Irish spirit." Greatly honored in Ireland, the harp is today the national
emblem of Ireland and appears prominently on all Irish coinage.
The Story of the Claddagh
In the early 16th century an Irish fishing boat capsized off the
coast of Ireland. The crew was rescued by pirates and promptly sold into
slavery. Richard Joyce, one of the Irish crewmen, was to be married that same
week, but alas he was forced to leave his beloved behind.
Richard
was sold to a goldsmith who taught him the trade of goldsmithing. Richard
shaped a unique ring for the girl he left behind. The ring was fashioned of
three symbols—the hands signifying—friendship, the crown—loyalty,
and the heart—love.
Years
passed and Richard escaped captivity and returned home to find, to his great
joy, that the girl he loved had never married. Richard and his love married and
settled in the village of Claddagh.
The village
of Claddagh no longer exists, but since that time the Claddagh Ring has been
worn as a sign of Love, Loyalty and Friendship. Worn on the left hand with the heart facing towards one’s
heart, it is a betrothal and wedding ring. And worn on the right hand with the
heart facing outward it is a sign of friendship.
The Story of the Shamrock
Long ago, when Ireland was the land of Druids, a Christian Bishop
known to us know as St. Patrick, came to teach the word of God. Although the
origins of the shamrock are lost in antiquity, legend suggests that it was St.
Patrick who plucked a shamrock from Irish soil to demonstrate the simple
(three-in-one) meaning of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The
shamrock is found on Irish medieval tombs and on old copper coins, known as St.
Patrick's money. The plant was reputed to have mystic powers...the leaves
standing upright to warn of an approaching storm.
Derived
from the Irish word 'seamrog" meaning 'summer plant,'one thing is certain
about the shamrock, it is worn by millions all over the world on St. Patrick's
Day and remains Ireland's most famous symbol.
The Story of St. Brigid
A
contemporary of St. Patrick and second only to him in the heritage of Irish
Saints, St. Brigid was born during the mid-5th century, and founded a monastery
in Kildare in the 6th century.
The
daughter of Dubhtach, a Leinster pagan chieftain, St. Brigid became a
Christian, and in her endeavour to explain the Passion to her dying father, she
wove a cross from the rushes strewn on the floor.
For
centuries it has been customary, before the Spring planting, for Irish folk to
fashion St. Brigid's Cross of straw or rushes and place them at the entrance to
their farmhouses or stables to protect their homes and loved ones from want and
evil.
Even today St. Brigid's Day is celebrated on the first of
February. And St. Brigid's Crosses are still in use.
