The Celtic Secret

It seems improbable to believe that this timeless, enduring, popular jewelry design called Celtic originated from the people the ancient Greeks then referred to as the ‘barbarians’. Of course, the Greeks eventually gave them a proper name and came up with “Keltoi”: roughly translated it meant “Barbarian people to the North of Greece”.  Simply put, these ancient Celts were the direct ancestors of every person with an ounce of European blood who are alive in  present times. The ancient Celts consisted of several tribes classified by their respective language: Gaulish (French to Italian); Celtiberian (Spanish); Goedelic ( Irish & Scottish); and of course, Brythonic ( British English). But these ancient Europeans were not the record-keeping type that it became difficult for scholars and researchers to get a whole picture of the way they lived, how they created the jewelry, why they used the symbols, and what the exact and accurate meaning of these Celtic symbols are.

Attempts were made by historians to give light to this mystery and though the given meanings are not vouched for, it may be all right to entertain these interpretations whilst we wait for the accurate ones to be discovered. One thing is sure though, the ancient Celts loved jewelry and their craftsmanship was nowhere near barbaric. What’s more interesting is the fact that these designs are meaningful and yes, mysterious, which added more to its appeal. A book by D.J. Conway called “Celtic Magic” confirmed this:

Both sexes loved jewelry: brooches decorated with gold filigree, cuttlefish shell, garnets, lapis, and other stones; buckles of gold filigree and stones; pins and linked pins with animal-style decoration; necklaces of amber, granulation and chip carving. They wore torques, pendants, bracelets, pins and necklaces. The women sometimes sewed little bells on the fringed ends of their tunics. The elaborate intertwining of their artwork was a guard against the evil eye or curses.”

Take for example: Triquetra, latin for “three-cornered”. It is supposed to be Christianity’s symbol for the Trinity ( Father, Son & Holy Ghost). But there had been studies and research that argued that:

Triquetra has long been a  celtic symbol for a woman’s inherent feminine powers: as Mother, Crone and Maiden. Many more Celtic symbols were adapted by the early Christian fathers as a means to convince the pagan Celts to convert to the religion.

But maybe more than this arguable piece of history, there is also a fascinating meaning to the celtic symbol. Foremost of which is Infinity: the alpha and omega of human life; the enduring relationship of God to Mankind, and Man to Woman. Sometimes, we like those interpretations better.

Apples of Gold Jewelry has Celtic rings, Celtic cross pendants, and even a beautiful celtic love-knot gold bracelet.

Featured Jewelry:

White Gold Celtic Cross Pendant

Celtic Trinity Knot Wedding Band

Celtic Wedding Bands

Many couples are drawn to Celtic wedding bands for their beautiful designs and symbols engraved into the ring. However, few people actually know the meaning behind the handsome swirls, folds and spirals. If you love the look of Celtic wedding bands but have no clue what the symbols mean, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for our little tutorial on the meanings behind Celtic symbols, and choose your wedding band with knowledge and confidence.

Shield Knots

Shield knots can either be square or a circle with the knot inside, and represent a protective force to ward off evil and bad spirits. They are some of the most common symbols found on Celtic wedding bands, and for good reason. With the knots, there is no beginning and no end. Many couples feel that this represents the unbroken vow of marriage that should last for eternity.

If you like shield knot Celtic wedding rings, consider our 14K yellow gold wide celtic filigree band. Look closely at the intricately woven design and you’ll see a hidden cross in the center of the knot-work. Also available as a white gold celtic filigree band and rose gold celtic filigree band.

Spirals – Double Spiral or Single Spiral

A single Celtic spiral represents energy and consciousness while the double spiral is a sign of balance and equality. For couples who love the Celtic spirals, a 14K gold celtic spiral design ring is the perfect choice.

Five-Fold

The fivefold Celtic symbol is made up of five interlocking circles. The four outer circles represent the four elements, and the innermost circle represents achieving harmonious balance.

Triquetra

The triquetra looks like three pointed knots in the shape of a triangle. Triquetras are a holy symbol that represents either the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit, Mind and Body. Throughout Celtic history the symbols came to represent a host of different things, which is why the triquetra has two alternate meanings. If you like the triquetra symbol, take a  look at our 14K White Gold Celtic Triquetra Wedding Band.

Combination Celtic Symbols

Many Celtic wedding bands are actually a combination of two or more different symbols. The combined designs work together to give the band a richer symbolic meaning. Take, for instance, our 14K White Gold Celtic Trinity Knot Wedding Band.  The intricate design is actually a mixture of the triquetra and the spiral. Together, the two symbols can represent living your faith energetically and with enthusiasm.