The Use of Celtic Knot Designs in Art and Jewelry

Celtic knots are easily recognized but did you know that they are not restricted to the Celts? They actually begin earlier in the past in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by ropes and threads, intricately woven, not necessarily in the form of a knot. At times they are continuous, i.e. lacking free ends, when they are called Gordian knots, after the famous knot that Alexander the Great attempted to unknot. When he failed, as he must be as the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it all the way through, cutting it in two in order to bring into being two ends.

Early Uses of Knotwork

Elaborately knotted patterns are seen in decorations from the Roman Empire especially during the 3rd and 4th A.D., especially in floor mosaics. the Christian impact on the Celts, i.e. prior to around 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work incorporated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian manuscripts from the Celts show these patterns as well as more decorative work that depicts plants, animals and other imagery from life. Originally these patterns patterns of woven plaits were also found in several other places and periods. The earliest instances of Celtic knots can be seen in the Gospel book which was produced in the seventh century in the north of Britain and is now in the collection at Durham Cathedral.

The Earliest Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to an unbroken woven cord and is found in earlier work previous to the beginning of true 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. While we associate 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 regions of Europe by roaming monks. Nowadays Celtic knots are associated with Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

The Triquetra

A particular type of Celtic knot, nowadays called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is seen originally in very early Germanic coins and runes from the northern part of Europe where it was used as a pagan religious symbol, probably related to the Norse god Odin. The triquetra is linked to the Insular art period of Celtic and was used in decorated texts, for instance, the celebrated Book of Kells, and on metal work. It was usually used along with other types of Celtic knots and very infrequently used on its own. Though we don’t know if the Trinity knot had any symbolic significance to the Celts more up to date renditions have given it a special importance as a representation of things that are threefold, for example, as mother, daughter and granddaughter, the past, present and future or the Holy Trinity.

The Use of the Celtic Knot in Contemporary Jewelry

In the present day the Celtic knot is a popular design in both gold and celtic knot silver jewelry. Lots of designs and styles are fashioned and Celtic knots are found on wedding bands, earrings, rings and bracelets. The triquetra is a popular design and the convoluted knots so prized by the Celts are just as well-liked by wearers of Celtic knot jewelry nowadays.