Religious Celtic Jewelry
For many people, Celtic wedding rings and Celtic engagement rings hold dual meaning. They not only symbolize abiding love and devotion, but they are also a token of religious devotion as well. Christianity is prevalent in the Celtic culture, and a commitment to God and spouse often go hand in hand in Celtic jewelry themes.
The Celtic Cross is one of the most recognizable designs in Celtic jewelry, particularly in pendants. St. Patrick created this hybrid symbol using the Christian simple cross, combined with round sun (or “halo”) symbolism native to the pre-Christian Druids of the time. St. Patrick believed that this combined emblem would help bridge the religious gap between the two cultures and bring the Druids closer to Celtic Christian beliefs. Today, the Celtic Cross is an eternal reminder of love and sacrifice and is featured prominently in historical documents and on churches.
The Symbol of the Evangelists is a design used on Celtic jewelry as well as manuscripts and in architecture. It features four winged creatures that represent the prophets of the biblical gospels in the New Testament. The creatures include: a Man (St. Matthew), a Lion (St. Mark), a Calf (St. Luke) and an Eagle (St. John). St. Gregory wrote in the 4th Century that these four symbols represented the very stages of Christ’s life: he was born a man, sacrificed as a calf in death, became a lion in his resurrection and ascended to heaven as an eagle. The Symbol of the Evangelists is often displayed near or with the Celtic Cross.
Always in tune with nature, Celtic religious jewelry often features knots and interlace designs that represent many timeless ideals. Knots and interlace are essentially never ending patterns, so they can denote undying love, marital commitment, familial bond, God’s love and many other extraordinary themes. The sacred geometry of interlace patterns is the ultimate symbol of the interconnectedness of all things, the circle of life and the idea of eternal existence. Celtic artisans began using these designs around the beginning of Christian influence somewhere around 450 AD, but evidence of knots, spirals and similar patterns can be found throughout Europe as early as 2,000 BC.
Steven Forsyth – Celtic Rings Ltd