Celtic Jewelry: The ancient Ogham alphabet and its origins

Ogham, or referred to in Old Irish as 'Ogam', is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write in the early Irish language between the 4th and 6th centuries and later the Old Irish language between the 6th and 9th centuries. 

It is estimated  that there are roughly 400 surviving orthodox inscriptions on stone monuments throughout Ireland and western Britain. The vast majority of these inscriptions can be found throughout the south of Ireland, in the counties of Kerry, Cork and Waterford. Traces of the Ogham inscriptions have also been discovered in parts of Pembrokeshire in Wales. The vast majority of the inscriptions consist of personal names.

The earliest inscriptions in Ogham date to about the 4th century AD. It has been suggested by scholars that the Ogham language drew inspiration from a number of sources such as the Latin, Elder Futhark, Runic and Greek alphabets.

Theories on how this form of ancient alphabet originated can be categorised into two distinct trains of thought. The first theory is that Ogham was created by ancient Irish scholars or druids as a cryptic alphabet designed purposely so that it would be extremely difficult for those with a knowledge of the Latin alphabet to decipher.

The second theory is that Ogham was devised by the first Christian communities in early Ireland, out of a wish to create a unique alphabet for writing short messages and inscriptions in the Irish language. It is considered that the necessity of such an alphabet was due to the fact that Primitive Irish was regarded an extremely difficult language to transcribe into the Latin alphabet, so the creation of a unique alphabet was addressed.

Legend has it that Ogham was first invented soon after the fall of the Tower of Babel, along with the Gaelic language, by the legendary Scythian king, Fenius Farsa. It is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a high medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.

This ancient and highly distinctive alphabet adorns many pieces of Celtic jewelry to this day, whether it be Celtic pendants or Celtic earrings. Ogham is often used personalize a piece of Irish jewelry with names usually being translated into the ancient Celtic alphabet.

18 Carat Gold Ogham Pendant