Celtic Art and History
Celtic Art is a form of visual language, with a rich heritage of designs, depicting symbols inspired by the natural world, Celtic Mythology and beliefs systems. Throughout Celtic Art, Circles are a reoccurring and popular pattern, symbolising the cylindrical nature of the earth cycle. It is critical to understanding the Celts relationship with the world around them, before venturing to uncover any secrets that may lie there within, many designs illustrate the change in seasons, and honour life and death as steps on a journey, that is pre-determined.
Popular symbols and there meanings:
"A Greek term meaning "three-legged," and thus this sign looks very much like three legs running. This is another version of the triskele (or triple symbol). Specifically, this is a heraldic (coat of arms) for the Isle of Man. The Celtic symbol meaning here is appropriate because this symbol stands for competition and man's progress. The three protrusions appear as legs (in fact, they are legs in the Manx symbol). As such, this symbol lends itself to a feeling of perpetual motion. In this case, the three legs stand for an idea of foundational balance. The symbol describes a fiercely independent people. It essentially says: "No matter what you do to me, or how many times you assault me - I will always stand and move forward."
Latin meaning "three-cornered." It's a holy symbol, and it's meanings are many. It varies in its aspects of spirit, nature, being-ness, and of the cosmos. This trinity symbol, as most others, reflects core concepts such as: Mind, Body, Spirit. Afterlife, Underworld, Physical life. Tribe, Country, Deity (god/goddess). These are just a few trinities folded within this Celtic symbol meaning. There are many more. The differences lay in the intent of the symbol, and the tribe that was using at the time in Celtic history. The negative space in the centre of this symbol symbolises the centre of all influences. In personal ritual, it could represent the self at the centre of trinity influences. In a tribe, the centre is the heart of the people with the three elements creating an unbreakable union.
This is another trinity symbol often found among ancient Celtic relics. It is sometimes referred to as a triskelion. The terms are often considered synonymous. This Celtic symbol meaning deals with the drawing of the three powers of maiden, mother and crone. It is often considered a sign of female power and especially power through transition and growth. This, however, is not an exclusive definition. Sometimes the symbol represents religious aspects of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. This representation came much later amongst Celtic descendants who were exposed to Christian conversion. In any instance, this trinity symbol can represent a triangle of foundational necessity. Meaning - you cannot have a healthy whole without all three elements joined together. Hence: Mind, Body, Spirit. Sun, Moon, Earth. Light, Dark, Gloaming (twilight). Not one energy can exist without the others.
Reflection
Although the negative space used through-out these designs are as intricate as the forms themselves. It is the concepts surrounding these designs that have my attention over the decorative patterns. The unity of the triquetra featured in one of its most common designs directly above, has long been a symbol for both the Christian and Pagan faiths, as the 3 into the 1 concept is shared in both ideology. The knotted pattern serves as an illustrations of all 3 sections being bound together to form a sculptural form.
As far as my artistic practice is concerned I am more interested in the way these symbols can communicate with fellow practitioners, and be used as marks of belonging. Either by etching or branding these symbols and there connotations seep into our daily lives, By performance our hands play and replay there forms as we write them, draw them or in some other way illustrate them. Actions of the everyday somehow become mixed in with the actions of secret society or other cult groups.
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