Celtic knots are well established but were you aware 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 threads or ropes, intricately woven, not inevitably in the form of a knot. Sometimes they are continuous, i.e. without any free ends, when they are called Gordian knots, after the well-known knot that Alexander the Great tried to disentangle. 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 two in order to create two ends.

Some Early Uses of Knotwork

Elaborately knotted patterns are often seen in artwork from the early Roman Empire mainly during the third and fourth centuries A.D., especially in floor mosaics. Previous to the Christian inspiration on the Celts, i.e. before around 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work integrated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian manuscripts from the Celts exhibit these patterns as well as more decorative work depicting animals, plants and other imagery from nature. At the outset these patterns patterns of interlaced plaits were also seen in various other countries and times. One of the very earliest illustrations of Celtic knots are seen in the Gospel book which was produced in Northern Britain in the 7th century and is at present in the library at Durham Cathedral.

The Earliest Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to a continuous woven cord and is seen in earlier art work before the appearance of genuine Celtic knots. The first designs characteristic of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and  they spread to Ireland by the seventh century. Even though we relate this style of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there carried to other regions of Europe by itinerant monks. In this day and age Celtic knots are related to Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

The Triquetra

One type of Celtic knot, today called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is seen firstly in the earliest Germanic runes and coins from the northern Europe where it was used as a pagan symbol, perhaps linked to the Norse god Odin. The triquetra is related to the Insular art period of Celtic and was used in illuminated manuscripts, for instance, the celebrated Book of Kells, and on metalwork. It was normally used alongside other types of Celtic knots and very rarely used on its own. While we don’t know if the triquetra had any symbolic meaning to the Celts more up to date interpretations have given it a particular meaning as a symbol of things that are threefold, such as as mother, daughter and granddaughter, the past, present and future or the Holy Trinity.

The Use of the Celtic Knot in Contemporary Jewelry

Today the Celtic knot is a fashionable pattern in both gold and celtic knot silver jewelry. Numerous styles and designs are created and Celtic knots can be seen on wedding bands, earrings, rings and bracelets. The triquetra is a common design and the intricate knots so loved by the Celts are equally adored by those who wear Celtic knot jewelry nowadays.