The Celtic Knot is one of the best known motifs in Celtic jewelry and art. The delicate twists and turns are found in
ancient stone art and tattoos, in illuminated manuscripts.In fact, just about anywhere the Celtic people have travelled.
Similar designs exist in Norse culture, and as far as China.
While there are many Celtic symbol guides available, especially those that list every variation of celtic knot, many of
the purported meanings of the symbols are usually simply made up (most often to sell trinkets and jewelry). There are
no known authentic knotwork designs meaning love or loyalty or many of the other common meanings ascribed to the
designs.
The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of human spirituality. It has been found scratched into rocks from thousands
of years ago, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed, but it has been found
on tombs, and possibly has a connection with the sun- the sun makes a spiral shape every three months in its
travels. A triple spiral motif found on Celtic tombs is drawn unicursally (that is, in one continuous line), suggesting a
cycle of rebirth or resurrection. (this hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that many of these appear to be deliberately
placed where they catch the first rays of the sun on the solstice). In modern times, the spiral is still spiritually
significant. It is the symbol of spirit in Wicca, an emblem of the Goddess.
There is much meaning behind the septagram, or seven-pointed star, also known as the elven Star or faerie Star.
Over the past few years, the elven star has gained much popularity among those who believe in faeries, and for us
it's a symbol of magic, childhood and whimsy.
Each point of the star has a meaning, and stories about the meanings vary depending on the storyteller. Seven has
long been a magical or lucky number, so many like the elven star for it's seven points. There are seven wonders of
the ancient world, seven visible colors in a rainbow, seven notes to a musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti), and
seven levels of heaven. Additionally, there are seven chakras, or energy centers in the body, and seven days of the
week. Seven represents universal balance. This is illustrated by the symbol for earth, a square with four sides,
combined with the trinity, representing heaven. These are bound together in harmony, forming a seven-pointed star.
In an elven star, this balance is symbolized by three over four, or heaven over earth. For some, the points represent
the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below, and within. For others, it's the seven magical elements:
earth, air, fire, water, life, light, & magic. Still others say it's inner and outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, heaven,
earth and self.
ancient stone art and tattoos, in illuminated manuscripts.In fact, just about anywhere the Celtic people have travelled.
Similar designs exist in Norse culture, and as far as China.
While there are many Celtic symbol guides available, especially those that list every variation of celtic knot, many of
the purported meanings of the symbols are usually simply made up (most often to sell trinkets and jewelry). There are
no known authentic knotwork designs meaning love or loyalty or many of the other common meanings ascribed to the
designs.
The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of human spirituality. It has been found scratched into rocks from thousands
of years ago, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed, but it has been found
on tombs, and possibly has a connection with the sun- the sun makes a spiral shape every three months in its
travels. A triple spiral motif found on Celtic tombs is drawn unicursally (that is, in one continuous line), suggesting a
cycle of rebirth or resurrection. (this hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that many of these appear to be deliberately
placed where they catch the first rays of the sun on the solstice). In modern times, the spiral is still spiritually
significant. It is the symbol of spirit in Wicca, an emblem of the Goddess.
There is much meaning behind the septagram, or seven-pointed star, also known as the elven Star or faerie Star.
Over the past few years, the elven star has gained much popularity among those who believe in faeries, and for us
it's a symbol of magic, childhood and whimsy.
Each point of the star has a meaning, and stories about the meanings vary depending on the storyteller. Seven has
long been a magical or lucky number, so many like the elven star for it's seven points. There are seven wonders of
the ancient world, seven visible colors in a rainbow, seven notes to a musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti), and
seven levels of heaven. Additionally, there are seven chakras, or energy centers in the body, and seven days of the
week. Seven represents universal balance. This is illustrated by the symbol for earth, a square with four sides,
combined with the trinity, representing heaven. These are bound together in harmony, forming a seven-pointed star.
In an elven star, this balance is symbolized by three over four, or heaven over earth. For some, the points represent
the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below, and within. For others, it's the seven magical elements:
earth, air, fire, water, life, light, & magic. Still others say it's inner and outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, heaven,
earth and self.
Donnalee Severin, a native Marylander, currently residing in Frederick
County Maryland with her daughter, two dogs and cat. She has been
creating artwork for as long as she can remember, cultivating a love of art
from an early age. In secondary school, she studied drawing,
photography, and ceramics. She sold her first art piece in 1991 after
winning an Secondary School Art Council Award.
Donnalee took a communications position with a prominent securities
agency, and developed a love of graphic design. This lead her to design
and painting studies at Frederick Community College, and Towson
University.
Now Donnalee practices a wide variety of art, often incorporating
techniques and media. Her love of the Gaelic culture, the renaissance
period, animals, and nature are often reflected in her work. The artists
that inspire her most are: Koo Schadler, June Blyth, Mary Cassatt, and
Edelgard Brecht.
County Maryland with her daughter, two dogs and cat. She has been
creating artwork for as long as she can remember, cultivating a love of art
from an early age. In secondary school, she studied drawing,
photography, and ceramics. She sold her first art piece in 1991 after
winning an Secondary School Art Council Award.
Donnalee took a communications position with a prominent securities
agency, and developed a love of graphic design. This lead her to design
and painting studies at Frederick Community College, and Towson
University.
Now Donnalee practices a wide variety of art, often incorporating
techniques and media. Her love of the Gaelic culture, the renaissance
period, animals, and nature are often reflected in her work. The artists
that inspire her most are: Koo Schadler, June Blyth, Mary Cassatt, and
Edelgard Brecht.
Péinteáil is Gaelic for "painting," and is pronounced paint-oil. We are an art company
that sells a variety of products, specializing in custom design pieces. Our goal is to
generate business by offering customers top quality items at discount prices. We also
offer hand-painted original custom designed artwork. We strive to provide the best
customer service on the Internet, which is why so many of our customers are "repeat"
customers. Since customer satisfaction is a top priority, we are available via email or
phone. Contact us today if you have any other questions about our company.
that sells a variety of products, specializing in custom design pieces. Our goal is to
generate business by offering customers top quality items at discount prices. We also
offer hand-painted original custom designed artwork. We strive to provide the best
customer service on the Internet, which is why so many of our customers are "repeat"
customers. Since customer satisfaction is a top priority, we are available via email or
phone. Contact us today if you have any other questions about our company.
