I have started to watch TV after a long time as I discovered a rerun of Game of Thrones every night. The glorious castles, the mysterious moors, and the enchanting forests shown in the series, once again remind me of my wish to visit Ireland and read Nora Roberts siting near a cliff’s edge. Until then, I have to contend with writing about how Celtic heritage is the symbolism of Ireland.
Celtic Heritage – motifs in jewellery
Irish symbols represent a vibrant tapestry of religion, folklore, and nationalism woven together beautifully by history and legends of saints, scholars, myths, and legends. The Shamrock symbolizes more than its green clover appearance at Irish pubs on St Patrick’s Day; it represents Irish pride and faith. Other Celtic symbols, like Claddagh rings, stand for love, loyalty and friendship.
Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh Ring hails from the 17th-century fishing village Claddagh, on Ireland’s west coast. Creation of the ring is credited to Richard Joyce who was taken captive by pirates and indentured to work for a goldsmith there. The Claddagh is a ring that represents love, friendship, and loyalty. It features two hands (friendship) holding an inscribed heart surmounted by a crown (loyalty). The heart can either face outward to symbolize romance, or towards the wearer to signify friendship or commitment.
Although traditionally worn on the left hand finger, any finger is suitable. People often wear the Claddagh (like this one from Celtic Bling) as either a ring or necklace to show their Irish pride and heritage. They also engrave it with personal messages or dates can make this piece of jewellery the ideal present for someone special in their lives.
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is one of the oldest and most common motifs across ancient cultures. You can see forms of it in Indian, Babylonian, and Byzantine cultures too. The motif represents our relationship between physical and spiritual worlds. It also denotes the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Its branches reach towards sky while its roots dig deeply into the ground.
Celts believed trees to provide access to spiritual realms. Oak trees were planted at the center of each settlement to represent strength, unity and serve as places where ceremonies could take place.
Celtic Cross
Combining Christian and Celtic pagan beliefs, Celtic cross represents the connection between spiritual and earthly realms and is revered worldwide. Its four circles may represent earth, fire, air and water elements of life or directions (north, south, east and west) or times (morning, evening dusk dawn) during daily cycles as well as energies.
The origins of the Celtic cross remain uncertain. Some speculate that St. Patrick introduced it in an effort to convert pagan people to Christianity. He may have combined the circular pattern of the sun and cross, to appeal to the sun worshippers and Christians.
Triskelion
The Triskele or Triple Spiral, is an intricate ancient Celtic symbol that the Gen Z know as a fidget toy. It is believed to represent many elements ranging from physical world, spiritual realm, afterlife as well as luck, protection, prosperity, health, and happiness.
Triskele symbolizes movement and energy. The three arms resemble siphons that draw energy out of their surroundings into the body, drawing it in as it moves along its endless lines. Triskeles also represent trifecta such as life-death-rebirth or mother-father-child relationships or spirit-mind-body dynamics between past-present-future.
Other Celtic symbols in Irish jewellery include the Trinity knot, harp, celtic knots and St. Brigids cross. Celtic knots have an interesting connection to India as well as detailed in an old post. Please do add to the post by writing in the comments if you know more about Irish Jewellery and Celtic motifs, as this is a relatively new topic for me.
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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