Sticking with ancient techniques, masters of Celtic art, today, continue to create stunning art pieces which can be traced back to the symbolism of its ancient mystics and ancient art form, itself. Learning to read these symbols is much like learning about the old masters of Renaissance art; however, unlike the Renaissance period, the art form rather than the artist takes the center stage, as artists of ancient Celtic art were often unknown.
Celtic art can be classified into these seperate categories:
- Knots
- Spirals
- Zoomorphic Ornament
- Key and Step Patterns
- Crosses
- Plaitwork
- Calligraphy & calligraphic ornamentation
Knotwork, Spirals, and the Gate Stone of the Celtic Cross
There are eight basic Celtic knots. These were determined by J. Romilly Allen who studied Celtic art in its ancient form through the time of his discover - 1904. From the basic eight knots, infinite numbers of designs and borders (called plaitwork) have been formed. The knot in Celtic art symbolizes infinity and is meant to be altered slightly by the artist who uses them to form a continuous pattern.
Just how ancient is Celtic art? One spiral pattern from Newgrange, Ireland dates back to 3200 B.C. It was a carved spiral ornamentation to a cairn or tomb. This carved stone most likely gave way to another beautiful artform in Celtic art - the Celtic cross. Often having spirals or knots in the center, they also contained intricate plaitwork. An ancient stone with a carving of a Celtic cross, when set before a tomb, held a purpose, and was not just for decoration. It was considered to be a gate. Beyond that gate lay the entrance - or passage - into the next life, the world beyond this one, possibly symbolizing reincarnation and the travels of the soul through death back to life.
Spirals are some of the most ancient symbols represented in nearly all ancient forms of art. First found in Mesopotamia and then again in ancient Greece, spirals began to appear in ancient Celtic art but there were distinct variations notable to Celtic spirals. Celtic scribes added three and four spirals to a single cord, which often involved a three-horned shape called the Triskete. The Triskete represented the sun in a Celtic spiral. Tails of spirals joined onto other spirals which lead to knots and plaitwork forming attractive borders around center spirals such as those found in the book of Kells or ornamenting many Celtic crosses.
Celtic Zoomorphic Designs - Like Gargoyles - Represent Religious Mysticism
One of the most elaborate forms of Celtic art is zoomorphic design and ornamentation. Often with bizarre animal heads - like serpents or dogs biting their own tails - these eery, yet fascinating designs often have a Christian theme, which bring to mind gargoyles once carved to guard cathedrals and homes of the Church. A bird with its neck twisted into knot actually symbolizes the Christian belief of Christ's goodness; the snake and the lion - Christ's rebirth; dogs often represented guidance and a stance against adultery.
Combined with very intricate knotwork, zoomorphic designs are some of the most fun to look at and try to decipher. The book of Kells is an excellent resource for variations of zoomorphic design. Decorated with mythical animals knotted and intertwined with strange beasts, zoomorphic ornamentation is often found among the pages of old texts and manuscripts.
These ancient designs - often recreated into new variations - make great tattoos. Knots and plaitwork can be formed into arm bands or vertical or horizontal stretches - beast tied into beast. Humans also dot zoomorphic designs. One popular design from ancient texts is of two men sitting, facing eachother, whose long beards have tangled into Celtic knots and the plaitwork that surrounds them.
Simple Celtic Knots to Try
Two simple knots which typify symbolisms of Celtic art are the Triskele knot - or three-horned knot - and the Heart-twining knot. Try these as simple grounding exercises opening the doorway to appreciating Celtic art.
Triskele knot:
- Draw a triangle with the base slightly longer than the two sides.
- Draw curves through the center forming equal (as possible) leaf shapes into each corner.
- Double the lines by adding a center line to each 'leaf' shape and create an over, under, knot in the center connecting all three leaf shapes.
- Color the Triskele knot one color and the background another.
Heart-twining knot:
- Draw a square lightly in erasable pencil for reference.
- Draw a heart shape with the two round portions on each side of the heart filling each upper corner of the square, then extend the point of the heart below the bottom line of the square by half and inch or an inch or so, depending on the size of the square.
- Double the line, creating an inner heart at a continually consistent distance from the outter heart.
- Now turn the paper over and do the same thing, intertwining the hearts in an over, under, knotted design.
- Color the knotted heart shapes.
- Color the background or erase the square entirely.
To move into more elaborate Celtic art patterns, try Celtic clip art books and referencing the book of Kells. Whether choosing to create Celtic art - in jewelry, quilts, glasswork, or illustration - or simple appreciate its beauty, the knowledge learned here informs and involves the viewer on a deeper level of Celtic art appreciation.
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