CELTIC KNOTs

CELTIC KNOTS incorporate a large range of knots used by the ancient Celts in decorating church monuments and manuscripts. 

Interwoven patterns first made an appearance in the handicrafts of the Roman Empire.

Knot patterns were first seen as an art form in 3rd & 4th Century AD. Mosaic floor patterns were used a lot in Byzantine architecture, Celtic art, and more.

Before the Celts could be influenced by Christianity around 450 AD, Celtic culture took the form of knots, spirals, braids, step and key patterns to symbolically represent the Seven Creations : man, mammal, plant, insect, bird, fish, and reptile.

Eachs symbolies something important, as do each kind of Celtic knots.

In sixth-century Italy, the patterns were first seen as ornate cords.   Genuine Celtic knots were considered to be broken and reconnected braids, which  originated in NORTH ITALY and south part of Gaul.  

By the seventh century it went on to Ireland. 

This style was widely used all over Europe but now it is more or less restricted to Welsh, Irish or Scottish territories.

CELTIC:  The Tree of Life "Crann Bethadh"  represents the connection between Earth and the Spirit World and the Harmony and Balance of both.  They believed it held magical powers,  so when land was cleared, the largest tree was left standing in the middle. All important gatherings were held under this tree and to cut it down was a punishable crime.

The tree is a sacred symbol in many cultures with significant meanings in both religious and spiritual philosophies. 

Christianity - The Tree of Life is mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Genesis. It is the tree that grows in the Garden of Eden and is the source of eternal life. The tree is believed to have healing properties and the fruit gifts immortality.   

Buddhism - The Bhodi-tree and is believed to be the Tree of Enlightenment. Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bhodi-tree,  so it is seen as a sacred symbol.  

Islam - The Tree of Immortality it is called in the Quran. It appeared in Eden and is the tree from which Adam and Eve ate after Allah had forbidden them from doing so.     

Judaism - The Tree of Life is what sustains and nourishes life. It stands in the center of a fruitful garden planted by Yahweh.