The spiritual faith of the Celtic people has been celebrated in story, song, and art for thousands of years. The notion of eternity and the endlessness of God's love is reflected in the greatest art treasures of the Insular Art Period, which began in the sixth century.
Before the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales converted to Christ, they were Pagan. They believed in Goddess worship and the sanctity of the natural world. Many early symbols of eternity now present on Celtic rings can be traced back to the days of the Druids. Over time, the ancient Pagan symbols evolved, and became symbols of devotion to Christ, the one true God.
Today, Celtic rings feature a wide array of motifs, and all of them carry some element of mystical beauty. The intricate, hypnotic lines of Celtic knot work (also known as interlace) are a popular design feature in today's styles. Celtic interlace is meant to express the idea of the endless spiritual journey through existence.
It represents birth, death, and spiritual rebirth. The lines of Celtic interlace are never-ending. They can be traced forever. The artistry needed to produce classic knot work designs is a matter of pride for Irish artisans in the 21st century. Since the sixth century, the Irish have been world-renowned for their excellence in metal work, and today's craftsmen follow in their venerable footsteps.
As well as classic knot work, Celtic Rings also feature zoomorphic, or animal, symbols. These decorative depictions of animals and mythical creatures, such as winged lions (Griffins) can also be traced back to Druidic times. The most common zoomorphic symbols you will find on today's rings are serpents, birds, and winged bulls.
In the Book of Kells, Ireland's greatest national art treasure, the winged lion and bull are depicted alongside fine examples of Celtic interlace. Often, Celtic symbols appear together, and this is still the case with today's jewelry designs.
In Scotland, in prehistoric times, animals were used to represent the Clans. They would appear on stone carvings known as ornamented stones. The animal motifs were stylized and highly detailed, just as they are today. Often, they will feature the outline of an animal, and an inset of detailed interlace.
Another potent symbol of the Celtic people and their belief in the eternal nature of faith and existence is the Spiral. This curving decoration is also referred to as a whorl, and it appears on all manner of Celtic art, dating back to the Insular period.
Spirals often appear together with animal symbols or knot work, creating a rich, dimensional beauty. Celtic rings with spirals often feature lines or clusters of the classical shape, which it thought to represent the journey through all the cycles of life. Starting at the center and radiating outward, the rings of the spiral each symbolize another turn through the phases of human life, and another step closer to God and the afterlife. This sense of eternity is one of the most touching aspects of the Celtic traditions.
Rings with the symbols discussed above will be much the same as rings created thousands of years ago. Modern design techniques are now used, but the best Celtic rings are still made by hand, usually in Ireland.
Discovering the meaning of ancient Celtic symbols can be a satisfying way to connect with the past. The proud tradition of masterful Celtic metal work and artistry will assure you of a ring you will treasure forever.
With a keen interest in Celtic jewelry, Ciara O'Brien researches and writes about Celtic wedding rings and all other types of Celtic jewelry. Click here for more information about Celtic rings and here for Celtic wedding rings.
