A most recognizable Celtic design is the Knot. It can be seen carved in stones, artifacts and jewelry. The popularity of Celtic knots began during the Christian era. This type of knot is incorporated in Christian architecture as seen in its religious structures and in Christian writings and texts. This ornamental interwoven design holds different meanings. For the Celts, these knots with no apparent beginning and end, symbolized the concept of eternity, the spiritual quest for rebirth, or a person's attempt at making sense of the maze that he is traversing in life.
This distinctive piece of artwork is translated into different geometric forms - circle, triangle, square, and rectangle. From the simple single knot patterns to complex grids and mazes, the Celtic Knot has many variations.
The Trinity Knot or Triquetra is the most recognizable variant of the knot. Triquetra is Latin for three-cornered. This pattern is often linked to the concept of interconnectedness of three elements. Early Christians saw it as a symbol for the Holy Trinity. For pagans, it symbolized Mother, Crone and Maiden. The more metaphysical representation is the concept of mind, body and spirit. Other styles of Celtic knots are the Quaternary knot and Dara knot.
Many Celtic pendants are made of intricate knot patterns. A pendant is a hanging piece of jewelry that slides or hangs on a chain. A locket is a type of pendant that opens. You can insert a picture or a very small object in the locket. One of the earliest types of jewelry was the pendant. Men wore objects around their necks in the ancient times in order to make statements about themselves. Nowadays, men still enjoy wearing pendants as much as women do.
Knot pendants incorporate other Celtic elements or designs. For instance, the cross is usually infused with knot work. The Celtic cross is a type of vertical cross with a ring around the junction of the cross. You can sometimes see knots embossed on the cross itself.
The Claddagh design made up of two hands holding a heart with a crown above it is also seen in pendants with knot work mixed in.
Many Irish jewelers incorporate knots with hearts. The knots are inlayed into the heart making an ornately designed pendant. Celtic animal or plant pendants are also popular designs. The shamrock or four-leaf clover, the Irish symbol for Luck, features prominently in jewelry, especially pendants and are often mixed with knot patterns. Other objects used in pendants are the moon and the sun. Jewelers have made pendants with detailed designs mixing together knots and these two astronomical symbols. Celtic arrows with knot designs are also seen on pendants. This is a popular pendant for men.
Depending on the design elements, the shape of Celtic knot pendants can be geometric - triangles, squares, circles, rectangles, etc. There are also teardrop shaped knot pendants.
For the base of the pendant the different precious metals used by jewelers are Sterling silver, platinum, titanium, pewter and gold in different carats (starting from 9cts. upwards) and colors (yellow, white, rose, black and others). Some pendants are two-tone, a combination of the different metals or two different colors of gold.
There are pendants that make use of crystals, glass, precious and semiprecious gemstones like diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst, jade, opal, turquoise and many more, pearls and other materials. The personal choice of adornments may be influenced by the wearer's birth month or the perceived metaphysical qualities that it may bring.
The chain holding the pendant can use the same material. Chains can be simple or ornate precious metals or strings of gemstones, pearls, beads and others. Leather, cord or rope, and ribbons are sometimes used to hang the pendant around the neck. The length of the chain also varies.
Celtic knot pendants are a wonderful addition to anyone's jewelry collection; women, men and children. Whether you buy it as a gift for yourself or someone else, this intricately designed piece of jewelry will most definitely be a keeper.
About the Author:
Tim Lazaro is a Celtic Symbols enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on the
Celtic knot pendant visit http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com.
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