Celtic knots are well-known but did you know that they are not exclusive to the Celts? They in fact turn up at an earlier time in history in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by ropes, intricately woven, not inevitably in the shape of a knot. Occasionally they are continuous, i.e. with no loose ends, when they are called Gordian knots, named after the legendary knot that Alexander the Great tried to unfasten. When he was unsuccessful, as he must be as the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it through, cutting it in half in order to make two ends.
Early Uses of Knotwork
Intricately knotted patterns are found in decorations from the early Roman Empire mainly during the 3rd and 4th C.E., especially in floor mosaics. Prior to the Christian affect on the Celts, i.e. prior to around 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work incorporated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian manuscripts from the Celts show these patterns as well as more decorative work depicting plants, animals and other images from life. Initially these patterns patterns of interlaced plaits were also found in several other regions and time periods. The very earliest cases 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 unbroken woven thread and appears in earlier art work prior to the development of genuine Celtic knots. The original designs distinctive of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and they reached Ireland by the seventh century. While we correlate this type of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there carried to other countries of Europe by wandering monks. In this day and age Celtic knots are associated with Scotland, Ireland or Wales.
The Trinity Knot
One type of Celtic knot, nowadays called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is often seen originally in the earliest Germanic rune stones and coins from the northern part of Europe where it was employed a pagan religious symbol, perhaps associated with Odin the Norse god. The triquetra is related to the Insular art phase of Celtic and was used in decorated texts, for instance, the celebrated Book of Kells, and on metalwork. It was generally used beside other kinds of Celtic knots and very rarely used on alone. Though we don't know if the Trinity knot had any symbolic connotation to the Celts more recent renditions have given it a particular importance as a representation of things that are threefold, for example, as the past, present and future, the Holy Trinity or mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Celtic Knots in Contemporary Jewelry
Now the Celtic knot is a common pattern in both gold and silver Celtic knot jewelry. Lots of designs are created and Celtic knots are found on rings, earrings, wedding bands, pendants and anklets. The triquetra is a common design and the elaborate knots so cherished by the Celts are similarly loved by wearers of Celtic knot jewelry nowadays.
For more information on Celtic knots, their history some good deals on gold and silver Celtic knot jewelry, necklaces and earrings visit Celtic Knot Silver Crosses or Celtic Knot Silver Jewelry
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