Thousands of years ago,
Celts, a group of independent tribes spread throughout much of current day Europe, were sophisticated artisans, carving knot work patterns that have inspired modern day jewelers to create wedding rings. These motifs have meaning. Yet understanding knot patterns and why they make such ideal wedding rings can be illusive. The ancient motifs are rooted in mysterious cultures that stretch back well before written history. Though earliest written accounts of Celts were from Roman descriptions, some knot work motifs found in Eastern Europe may be as old as 20,000 years. We know Celts, similar to Native people of North America, viewed that earth itself as well as all aspects of life and death as divine. They had a large and varied pantheon, worshipping local gods. The natural world was considered sacred, and every river, mountain and tree had its own spirit of place. Rituals were rooted in a particular oak grove or waterfall. Early Celtic leaders even mocked human-like images of Olympian gods or wild animals of their vale and forests. Knot work, which has become synonymous with today’s idea of “Celtic” was undoubtedly a form of sacred, artistic expression. Some of most famous designs were preserved in highly embellished, illuminated manuscripts, such as Book of Kells which somehow survived Viking invasions. It was created in 9th century at a monastery off Scottish coast, and depicts wonderfully imaginative images of humans and animals embellished with knot work motifs, linking medieval Christianity with ancient Druidic culture.
In Western culture, there is a long and venerable tradition of artists that have been inspired by knot work motifs. Celtic design was particularly popular in Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael studied and depicted knots in their work. In modern times, some of Picasso’s early art is highly influenced by knot work. And there has always been a group of metal and visual artists that have kept Celtic fires burning by using knot work patterns in jewelry and other forms of artistic expression.
For some people, choice to have a Celtic wedding ring is an expression of their wish to connect deeply into their own ancestry. They feel empathy with a European based tribal tradition that treats earth as Mother. It’s also easy to fall in love with soulful Celtic music and poetry. Others simply want one piece of jewelry that they wear every day to have a beautiful design with significance.
Whether one has Celtic heritage or not, a Celtic motif wedding ring is appropriate because it has universal, symbolic meaning. In most general sense, knots express two different paths woven together. Life itself can be viewed as a great web of interconnectedness which is expressed in knot work. Even our own spiritual path, metaphorically, can be viewed as a tapestry of interconnected experiences. The Celtic wedding ring is a talisman which reminds us, in physical form, of our mystic connection with another person and great web of life.
This weave of particular experiences makes us unique, which is why we are attracted to some knot work patterns on wedding rings more than others. What appeals to you and your fiancé may well bring insight to nature of your relationship. Some couples are attracted to knot work motifs that are simple and flowing, which perhaps illustrates a partnership based on harmony and ease. Other knot work designs on wedding rings are more dynamic and complicated, suggesting creative elements, or passionate peaks and valleys.
Many Celtic merchants will label a particular design as “Friendship” or “Unity” but often there’s not any real basis for these labels. These facile tags short change person interested in ring by giving a concept instead of assisting them to understand deeper meaning behind design. It’s also easy enough to say that ring is about how all things are interconnected, but this is so general that it doesn’t help explain why we may be attracted to sacred geometry of one ring over another.
