Celtic symbols have fascinated people for centuries. While they have been around for thousands of years, they are still heavily used today in artwork, tattoos, jewelry, pop culture, and much more.
Today, there are seemingly endless amounts of Celtic symbols, from crosses to knots, to animals and mythological creatures. Each contains its own unique uses and meanings.
History Of The Celts
As early as 1200 B.C., the Celts have been traced with origins as a collection of tribes spanning across Central Europe. These tribes shared a similar language, religion, traditions, and culture, and migrated all across Western Europe.
They migrated through Britain, Ireland, France, and Spain. However, the legacy they left behind is most popular in Ireland and Great Britain.
Today, some of their language and culture can still be found being used there today. Perhaps even more popular than the Celtic culture itself is the symbols.
Today, more than 30 Celtic symbols can be found, each with many different uses.
The Celtic Symbols
There are many popular and less popularly used Celtic symbols today.
Triquetra
The Triquetra, also known as the “trinity knot,” is one of the most popular Celtic symbols today. It can even be found in popular series such as Charmed, The Walking Dead, and Thor.
This symbol depicts three interlaced arcs or vesica piscis shapes, forming a triangular figure. These three arcs represent the maiden, the mother, and the crone.
The maiden represents youth and new beginnings, the mother symbolizes the middle of life with more aspects of life and maturity, and the crone symbolizes wisdom gained from a long life.
The symbol represents several different things. It represents the cycle of life, the three fundamental elements, the passage of time, and family. Today, it is popularly used for knotwork designs, jewelry, and pop culture.
Tree Of Life
Another commonly used Celtic symbol is the Tree of Life. This can be found in jewelry and many other items today.
The Tree of Life is also sometimes referred to as known as “Crann Bethadh” by the ancient Celts.
It features a large symmetrical tree made into a circular shape. There are different variations of this logo. However, their significance remains the same. The tree of life symbolizes strength, wisdom, and longevity, as well as a connection between earth, heaven, and the underworld.
This symbol also reflects the circle of life, representing harmony and balance in nature, and family connections across generations.
The Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross is common amongst Celtic artwork. This symbol has been traced back to the early medieval period, around the 9th century.
This symbol is often associated with the story of St. Patrick combining the traditional Christian cross with a circle known to symbolize the sun and its life-giving properties in order to connect with pagan Celts.
There are many different interpretations of the meaning of the Celtic cross. Some interpret it as the symbol of strength in the cross, reflected by the ring around the arms and base. Some also believe it represents eternity, unity, and God, or even the Celtic shield.
Additionally, some experts believe that the four arms of the Celtic Cross represent the four directions of a compass North, South, East, and West, or the four elements, fire, water, air, and earth.
This symbol can still be found in some churches today, as well as memorial sites, jewelry, tattoos, and other artwork.
Cross of St. Brigid
The cross of St. Brigid, or Brigid’s Cross, is an old Irish symbol said to bring protection and good fortune. It is typically made of materials such as straw or rushes and then hung in the doorway for protection from evil.
It is said to be the same symbol as St. Brigid, made for a dying pagan Chief who was on his deathbed many years ago.
Triskele
The Triskele is also often referred to as the “Triple Spiral.” This Celtic symbol stems from the Greek word “Triskeles,” which translates to “three legs.”
Its origins can be traced back to the Neolithic period, where it was found in Ireland’s Newgrange, which is still visible today. It is thought to be one of the more difficult Celtic symbols to decipher.
However, many believe it represents the motions of life. Since there are three spiraled arms to this symbol, other translations include life, death, and rebirth; spirit, mind, and body; mother, father, and child; past, present, and future; power, intellect, and love; and creation, preservation, and destruction.
Celtic Spiral
Although this symbol may seem like just a simplified version of the Triskele, the Celtic Spiral is known to be the oldest Celtic symbol discovered. It is believed to be traced back to about 3200 BC.
The single spiral is believed to symbolize growth, birth, or increased consciousness. Some also suggest the direction of the spiral is significant as clockwise shows the harmony of the earth and the sun, while counterclockwise can mean nature manipulation by spells.
Additionally, some suggest the tightness of the spiral also has some significance and can mean different seasons of the year.
Claddagh
The Celtic Claddagh is very popular today for Irish rings. It is a powerful symbol that features a heart at its center, symbolizing love, a crown on top to symbolize loyalty, and hands to hold it together, symbolizing friendship.
Today, this ring is used for a variety of reasons including wedding rings, engagement rings, promise rings, or simply for fashion.
This symbol can be traced back to the 17th century, with an origin story in the fishing village of Claddagh near Galway city where it is said to be made by a villager who was sold into slavery and trained as a goldsmith.
He designed and wore this ring in hopes of love and friendship to break through all of the hardships, although this is only one of many current interpretations today.
Shamrock
The Celtic Shamrock, or three-leaf clover, is strongly associated with Irish culture today. It became a national symbol of Ireland in the 16th century.
Like many of the Celtic symbols, interpretations of the symbols’ meaning heavily rely on the number of leaves — in this case, three.
The three leaves are often linked to the Holy Trinity or the three pagan goddesses, maiden, mother, and grandmother. The shamrock is widely used as a symbol of luck and protection.
Wheel of Taranis
The Celtic Wheel of Taramis refers to the Taranis, the God of thunder and storms, in Celtic mythology.
It represents the cycle of life and has often been used as a symbol of protection.
Today, this chariot wheel-shaped symbol can still be found on items such as coinage, jewelry, and religious artifacts.
Awen
The Awen symbol consists of three rays or lines converging at the top and flowing downward. The word “Awen” itself can be traced back to the Welsh language, meaning “inspiration.”
The symbol represents the balance of opposites, such as masculine, feminine, and divine energy. It is also sometimes linked to the three pillars of awakening — truth, love of the truth, and maintaining the truth.
Five Fold Symbol
One of the lesser-used Celtic symbols is the Five Fold Symbol. As the name suggests, it has five rings. These rings symbolize harmony, balance, and interconnectedness with nature.
The symbol is often used to represent the four main elements: fire, earth, air, and water. The fifth element at the heart of it all is often thought to be a spirit or aether.
Knot Symbols
Among the Celtic symbols are many knots which are still used today. Each specific shape carries its own meaning and significance.
Celtic Knot
The Celtic Knot is made of a single thread and is used to represent the highest degree of spirituality.
The interlaced design can be found without many other Celtic symbols and is often used in art today.
They are often used to represent intersecting spirits and the Celtic heritage, as well as themes such as unity and strength.
Dara Celtic Knot
Trees are a common Celtic theme. This is also the case for the Dara Celtic Knot — “Dara” translating to the Irish word “Doire,” meaning “Oak.”
This complex circular knot is used to represent nature, inner strength, and preservation.
The design of this single-thread knot is meant to resemble the base of an oak tree. This type of tree, in particular, was often worshiped in Celtic history.
Quaternary Celtic Knot
The Quaternary Celtic Knot includes four distinct points.
These points are often tied to be a reference to the elements earth, fire, air, and water; the cardinal directions north, south, east, and west; or the four seasons.
It is used to symbolize balance and harmony within the natural order and is used to represent themes such as nature, protection, and infinite love.
Sailors Knot
The Sailor’s Knot is another type of popular Celtic knot. It is used to symbolize unconditional love and an unbeatable bond.
It dates back several thousands of years ago. This symbol was initially created for sailors who went on long voyages and was used to remember their loved ones while they were gone.
Bowen Knot
The Bowen Knot, also known as the “Lovers Knot” or “Square Knot,” symbolizes love, balance, unity, and interconnectedness.
While there are many different interpretations and uses for the symbol today, it is often used to symbolize unbreakable bonds of friendship and loyalty.
Some also have made the connection of the symbols striking similarity to the “endless knot” used in Tibetan Buddhism to represent the endless flow of time and life.
Celtic Motherhood Knot
As the name suggests, the Celtic Motherhood Knot represents the strong relationship between mother and child.
It is made of just one continuous and complexly knotted thread that seems to never end, showing endless love and connection.
This symbol is still commonly used today in Irish and Scottish culture.
Solomon’s Knot
Another Celtic knot is Solomon’s Knot. This symbol often represents eternity, love, and immortality.
Instead of being made up of a single thread like most other Celtic knots, the Solomon’s Knot features two intertwined threads.
While it is not the most commonly used Celtic knot, it can be found in some Roman mosaics as well as medieval church decor in regions such as East Anglia.
Eternity Knot
The eternity or infinity knot is throughout many different cultures today. It is often used to represent eternal youth, beauty, and immortality.
It is also made of a single thread which features multiple loops and can be pulled in many different directions.
Circular Knots
Celtic Circular Knots are often used to symbolize eternity, infinity, and the cyclical nature of life.
They have no beginning or end. They also have close ties to themes like nature, the inner soul, and the sun, and are still used in many art pieces and jewelry today.
Creatures and Animals
There is one other huge theme amongst the Celtic symbols, and that is creatures and animals. Many Celtic symbols we see today are heavily based on animals or mythological creatures from Celtic history.
Serpents
The Celts saw the snake as a symbol of creation, rebirth, fertility, and healing. It also represented the connection between rivers and seas, as well as the heavens and Earth.
The Celtic snake protected the entrance to the “Otherworld” and was known to be a companion to the gods, while the Earth serpent — otherwise known as the Ouroboros — symbolized the energy within the Earth.
Horses
Horses are a commonly used Celtic symbol that was used by noblemen in battle.
They were used to represent the motion of life, healing, development, rejuvenation, as well as fertility.
These horses were known for their beauty and were believed to be companions to the gods.
Hounds
Much like dogs are often thought of today, Celtic Hounds represent devotion, endless love, and loyalty.
In Celtic history, hounds were believed to be very important to the Ireland and Scotland faeries and were highly respected.
Birds
Many different types of birds are used for Celtic symbols. They are popularly used for amulets and ornaments, often symbolizing freedom or messengers from the heavens bringing the gods’ will to the Earth.
Deer
Celts believe that the deer is the oldest creature in existence.
This animal is linked to their horned god of nature and hunting.
In Celtic symbols, deer represent abundance, fertility, and awakening.
Salmon
Salmon is another animal used in Symbolic symbols. They represent knowledge, wisdom, and determination.
They are also linked to the cycle of life, as salmon travel from river to sea and then back again.
Griffin
Griffins are mythological creatures consisting of a lion’s body and an eagle’s head.
In Celtic symbols, this creature is used to symbolize balance, loyalty, power, and greatness.
Dragon
A Dragon is another one of the mythological creatures used in Celtic symbols.
They are usually made of single lines and represent themes such as immortality, energy, and eternity.
They are also used to symbolize themes such as leadership, power, and bravery.
Bull
The Bull is a noble symbol in Celtic culture. They were strongly associated with their gods and kings and were worshiped by the Celts.
It is often used to represent themes such as strength, wealth, endurance, and power.
Boar
The Boar symbol in Celtic culture is often used to represent warriors and fighting spirit.
Boars were associated with the Celtic Otherworld and were popular in their artwork.
Additionally, since boar meat was considered to be a delicacy, the symbol is also sometimes used to symbolize agricultural wealth and hospitality.
Hare
Hares were a scared animal for the Celts.
Their usage in symbols represents themes such as prosperity, fertility, abundance, and rebirth.
They also represented the renewal of nature as they were strongly associated with seasonal festivals for the Celts.
Lessons From The Celtic Symbols
Celtic symbols are now thousands of years old, but they never fully went away.
From the Triquetra and the Tree of Life to the Celtic Cross and various knot symbols, each emblem tells a unique story about the Celts’ beliefs, values, and way of life.
Above are just some of the seemingly endless amounts of Celtic symbols used in art, jewelry, religion, and pop culture today.
Many people using the symbols may not even know their true meaning or origin, showing the timelessness and versatility of having unique and eye-catching symbolic representations.
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