In a country of immigrants, many Americans are looking for ways to celebrate their heritage. For many Irish-Americans this means wearing green, or covering themselves with shamrocks. But there is another option, more subtle and classy, and less cliché. Celtic knots are some of the most instantly recognizable forms of Irish artwork. And now they are commonly being used in wedding band designs.
Celtic knots date back to the 5th century. Originally seen as carvings in stone and on cave walls, Celtic knots are traced back to an ancient pagan religion. Today, it is often thought that the creators of the knots were prohibited from creating realistic representations of living creatures, much like the Islamic religion, thus creating the fantastic knots we know today. While there are many kinds of knot designs, each with their own meaning, the belief is that all knot designs are made to show the interconnectedness of all things in nature. Because there are so few written records remaining from that time period it is unclear what the exact meanings of the designs are, but historians have reached a consensus on the meanings of some of the most popular knot formations.
The Celtic Trinity Ring has many ascribed meanings, each relating to the three-pronged shape of the knot design. Some of the most common include; Mind, Body, and Spirit; Mother, Father, and Child; Past, Present, and Future; The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit; and Power, Intellect and Love, although there are many more as well. The Circular Knot Wedding Band, also known as The Lover’s knot is said to represent unity. The endless quality of these designs makes some think that they symbolize time without end; eternity of life nature, and love. There is also the Square or Shield Knot Wedding Band, which is said to protect those who wear it from evil spirits. This design is most often seen in battle artwork, on shields, for instance, as well as in the presence of the ill, or elderly.
There are as many symbolic meanings for the Celtic knot designs as there are ways to represent your continued allegiance to the Irish culture. You can even incorporate them into your wedding. With these stylish new ways of celebrating your heritage, it doesn’t have to be St. Patrick’s Day to let the world know that you are proud of your lineage; you can celebrate the fact that you are Irish all year round.
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