Celtic knots, their meanings and use

My friend @roeland de cock inspired me to write this article on Celtic Knots after reading my post on Karma with this Celtic design. He very kindly shared with me various Youtube links to visit those places virtually to see how beautifully nature has made use of this in the historical megalithic caves in creating awesome designs.

I decided to study this subject in detail and found that Celtic Knots have a deep meaning and multiple uses we already knew ages ago. (https://blog.udemy.com/celtic-knot-meanings/) This blog gives lot of useful information on the subject. Celtic art is associated with the peoples known as Celts; those who spoke the Celtic languages in Europe from pre-history through to the modern period, as well as the art of ancient peoples whose language is uncertain, but have cultural and stylistic similarities with speakers of Celtic languages.

Religion has played an important role in the design of Celtic knots. Pagan laws had the greatest influence on this art form, according to Celtic art expert George Bain. The interlacing of human form and Celtic knots evolved from laws forbidding drawing portraits of human figures as this was tantamount to copying a work of the creator, “God the Almighty,” explains Bain in his book Celtic Art. Celtic art developed into a higher art form with the arrival of Christianity in 450 A.D. The Christians have long used art as a propaganda tool. From illustrated manuscripts to Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel, art has been a key medium for conveying God, the HolyTrinity and the connection between the earthly and heavenly realms.

The meanings of Celtic Knots. These knots are complete loops that have no start or finish and could be said to represent eternity whether this means loyalty, faith, friendship or love. Only one thread is used in each design which symbolises how life and eternity are interconnected. Knots are a common theme in jewellery design and you might be wondering what's the story behind it. The symbolism behind the act of tying a knot is one of binding. Thus it is no surprise that it became a metaphor for one's commitment towards love in different cultures. The endless knot iconography symbolised 'Samsara' i.e., the endless cycle of suffering or birth, death and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism. The inter-twining of wisdom and compassion. Since the knot has no beginning or end it also symbolises the wisdom of the Buddha.

For Hindus, Aum is seen as a fundamental component of the physical and metaphysical tenets of Hinduism - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless. Aum is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. The Celtic love knot resembles two interlocking hearts and usually sits within an oval shape. This design features two intertwined ropes and may have been created by sailors during their long voyages as a means of remembering their loved ones. The Sailor's knot is symbolic of friendship, affection, harmony and love. Groupings of eight auspicious symbols were originally used in India at ceremonies such as an investiture or coronation of a king. An early grouping of symbols included: a throne, a swastika, a handprint, a hooked knot, a vase of jewels, a water libation flask, a pair of fishes, and a lidded bowl.

In Buddhism, these eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he gained enlightenment. The following expounds upon these symbols.

According to archaeologists and scholars, the Trinity Knot first appears as a pagan design. Used by Celts, it appears it was adopted and repurposed as a symbol of the Holy Trinity by early Irish Christians in the 4th century as mentioned above. Trinity Lovers Heart, the trinity knot means many things to different people; pagans believe it represents the 'three faces of the goddess', while Christians believe it represents the 'Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Adding the heart may signify blessing a union or declaring your love of your religion.

The Chinese Knots symbolise good luck and prosperity. There are many different shapes of Chinese knots, the most common being butterflies, flowers, birds, dragons, fish, and even shoes. Culturally they were expected to ward off evil spirits similar to bagua mirrors or act as good-luck charms for Chinese marriages

The eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism consist of: a parasol, a pair of fishes, a treasure vase, a lotus, a white-spiralling conch shell, an endless knot, a victory banner, and a golden wheel. Lotus flower (padma) - as the flower rises from muddy roots, so Nirvana arises from this shabby world; therefore it symbolises purity. Banner of Victory (dpal-be) - a unique Buddhist object, the cylindrical layered banner symbolises victory over ignorance and death.

Today, the term Celtic generally refers to the languages and respective cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany, also known as the Celtic nations. These are the regions where four Celtic languages are still spoken to some extent as mother tongues. Throughout the millennia, the meanings ascribed to Celtic knots have prevailed. Their longevity is largely explained by the strong connection between the visual design elements and symbolic meaning in Celtic Knot Meanings. One meaning above all has prevailed. The interlacing, continuous design is the symbol of the inter-connectedness and continuity of life. It also represents eternity.

Only Hinduism survived in India, though it mutated, and was nearly eclipsed by Buddhism. The Celtic religion survived most apparently in the ancient Irish faith and culture. Like the Vedas, the extant Old Irish literature memorised and transmitted through a 12-year training by an Irish bard/priest class who were the inheritors of the druids-are a window into Celtic thought and lifestyle. Again, like the early Vedas, the Old Irish sagas and hymns are at times locked in metaphor that we don’t hold the keys to. A small example of direct Celtic in-put into Hindu culture, long after the two people had gone their separate ways, is the Sanskrit word for 'war chariot'. Expanding political power, as well as long-distance trade, wrought cultural influences in the ancient world.

This is a very vast subject and can't be covered in a small article here, I have only tried to use some available references in making the readers aware of the Celtic art, its origins and its connection with the Chinese, Buddhists and Hindu cultures in this article.