The Use of Celtic Knots Through the Ages

Celtic knots are well-known but do you know that they are not restricted to the Celts? They in fact begin at an earlier time in history in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by ropes, intricately woven, not necessarily in the form of a knot. On occasion they are unbroken, i.e. without any free ends, when they are called Gordian knots, after the famous knot that Alexander the Great tried to unknot. 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 half so as to create two ends.

Some Early Uses of Knotwork

Intricately knotted patterns are seen in art work from the early Roman Empire chiefly during the 3rd and 4th C.E., in particular in floor mosaics. Previous to the Christian impact on the Celts, i.e. prior to around 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work integrated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian texts from the Celts display these patterns in addition to more art work that depicts animals, plants and other images from nature. To begin with these knotted patterns of woven plaits were also seen in many other regions and periods. The very earliest examples of Celtic knots can be seen in the Gospel book which was produced in Northern Britain in the 7th century and is now in the library at Durham Cathedral.

The Earliest Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to a continuous woven cord and is found in earlier art work before the development of genuine Celtic knots. The original designs typical of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and  they reached Ireland by the seventh century. Even though we associate this kind of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there carried to other parts of Europe by traveling monks. Today Celtic knots are related to Ireland, Wales or Scotland.

The Trinity Knot

One type of Celtic knot, called the triquetra or Trinity knot, is often found at first in very early Germanic coins and runes from the northern region of Europe where it was used as a pagan symbol, perhaps connected to the Norse god Odin. The Trinity knot is associated with the Insular art period of Celtic and was used in decorated manuscripts, for example, the famed Book of Kells, and on metalwork. It was generally used by the side of other types of Celtic knots and very infrequently used on alone. Though we don’t know if the Trinity knot had any emblematic significance to the Celts more modern interpretations have given it a special significance as a symbol of things that are threefold, for example, as the Holy Trinity, the past, present and future, or mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Celtic Knots in Contemporary Jewelry

Now the Celtic knot is a widespread motif in both gold and celtic knot silver jewelry. Many styles and designs are fashioned and Celtic knots are seen on bracelets, rings, wedding bands and pendants. The triquetra is a common design and the elaborate knots so prized by the Celts are just as loved by wearers of Celtic knot jewelry today.