Celtic Knot Origins and Use in Art Through the Years

Celtic knots are well known but did you know that they are not exclusive to the Celts? They in fact appear earlier in the past in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by threads, intricately woven, not inevitably in the style of a knot. On occasion they are unbroken, i.e. without any loose ends, when they are called Gordian knots, named after the legendary knot that Alexander the Great tried to disentangle. When he was unsuccessful, as he must be for the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it through, cutting it in two pieces in order to produce two ends.

Early Uses of Knotwork

Elaborately patterns are seen in art work from the Roman Empire chiefly during the third and fourth centuries A.D., in particular in floor mosaics. Previous to the Christian affect on the Celts, i.e. before in the region of 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work included key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian texts from the Celts display these patterns in addition to more art work that illustrates plants, animals and other images from nature. Originally these knotted patterns of intricately woven plaits were also seen in many other places and time periods. One of the 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 library at Durham Cathedral.

Early Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to an unbroken woven thread and is seen in earlier work prior to the appearance of authentic Celtic knots. The original designs characteristic of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and  they spread to Ireland by the seventh century. Although we relate this kind of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there were carried to other parts of Europe by itinerant monks. These days Celtic knots are related to Scotland, Wales or Ireland.

The Triquetra

A well known type of Celtic knot, nowadays called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is seen initially in very old Germanic coins and rune stones from the northern region of Europe where it was employed a pagan religious symbol, probably connected to Odin the Norse god. The Trinity knot is connected with the Insular art phase of Celtic and was used in illustrated manuscripts, for instance, the legendary Book of Kells, and on metal work. It was generally used along with other types of Celtic knots and very rarely used on alone. Even though we don’t know if the triquetra had any symbolic meaning to the Celts more recent renditions have given it a particular meaning as a symbol of things that are threefold, such as as mother, daughter and granddaughter, the past, present and future or the Holy Trinity.

Celtic Knots in Modern Jewelry

In the present day the Celtic knot is a widespread design in both gold and celtic knot silver jewelry. Many styles and designs are created and Celtic knots are used on on bracelets, rings, wedding bands and pendants. The Trinity knot is a common design and the convoluted knots so cherished by the Celts are equally loved by those who wear Celtic knot jewelry nowadays.