Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Tara Brooch

First discovered in Bettystown, County Meath in 1850, the Tara Brooch, which dates back to around 700AD is an elaborate and impressive example of classic Bronze Age Craftmanship, and which today is proudly displayed in the national museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Composed mostly of silver and gilt, and embellished with delicate interlacing patterns, the Tara Brooch is made into many different pieces before its assembled into the detailed Celtic Brooch design that we are accustomed too. In fact it has been said that when it was first discovered, all but one panel was missing!
The Tara Brooch takes its name from the Hill of Tara, which is traditionally seen as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, even though the Tara Brooch has no connection with either. However, the legend of the story goes that after it was sold by the then finders to a dealer, and then on to the Dublin Jeweler and a reviver of Celtic Jewelry, George Waterhouse, and it was he who renamed it the “Tara Brooch” to make it more charming.
Worn by both men and women due to its practical propose in fastening caps, cloaks and other clothing, today the Tara Brooch still remains a popular piece of Celtic Jewelry to give as Irish gifts and is one of Ireland’s most widely recognized Celtic Brooches.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Triquetra or Trinity Knot

If the intricate designs and patterns of Celtic Knots are one of the most distinctive features of Celtic Jewelry, than the Triquetra or Trinity Knot is one of the most widely recognised and common of the Celtic Knots.

A Latin name, Triquetra means three-cornered, and although there are many theories suggested for the definition of this popular design, what remains a common theme to each is that they mention the significance of three parts, which depending on your beliefs can be interpreted as Father-Son- Holy Spirit, Mother-Crone-Maiden or Mind-Body-Spirit.

The Trinity Knot or Triquetra adorns many Celtic pendants and Celtic earrings, and in recent times Celtic Knot Jewelry featuring the Triquetra have become popular Irish gifts and souvenirs from Ireland. This growth in popularity could be linked to the modern day representations and use of the Triquetrea upon the cover of the “Book of Shadows” within the America TV show Charmed, its use within the design of the Led Zeppelin Album – Led Zeppelin IV or maybe its use in the fashion label Lionheart Apparel Clothing.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Celtic Knot

Without doubt one of the most distinctive features of Celtic jewelry, is the Celtic Knot, with its intricate patterns and convoluted connecting patterning that is evident in all pieces of Celtic knot jewelry.

As one of the most recognized artworks in Celtic history; Celtic knots began to appear in history around 450 AD, and although there is no definitive explanation for them, it is thought that each one is connotative of some kind of unification, and that whatever the significance, each of these symbol’s meaning probably changes between tribes and locations.

Widely used in Celtic wedding bands, which have remained popular with couples throughout the years, it is believed that the Celtic knots used to decorate these, despite their differing meanings, all have one thing in common and that is that each interwoven knot design is symbolic of two different paths or souls intertwining with each other.

Examples of this are the Hearts Celtic ring with its intertwining hearts which is thought to represent the love, bond and compassion that we share with others, and the Infinity Celtic ring, with a continuous and never-ending pattern which is said to be reflective of the eternal circles of life.

Celtic Knot Jewelry such as Celtic Bracelets and Celtic Rings are popular Irish gifts because of their meanings and are often given to friends and loved ones as a symbol of love and loyalty.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Triskele / Triple Spiral / Triskelion

Continuing our discovery and explanation of the Celtic symbols that adorn and feature in popular Irish Celtic Jewelry designs, attention focuses to possibly the most convoluted and complex symbols to decipher – the triskele or triple spiral or triskelion.

Thought to be representative of many meanings, the triskele is thought to represent movement due to the positioning of the three arms or extensions that appear to be moving, in particular energy and the motion of cycles and progress. It is also thought that the three arms or extensions might be depending on era and culture be connotative for life-death-rebirth, spirit-mind-body and past-present-future to name just a few, and as representation of three Celtic worlds; the spiritual world, the present world, the celestial world.

The meaning of the triskele is diverse, varied and has many possibilities and this complex Celtic symbol remains a popular topic of discussion amongst symbolists and historians, as well as one of the more popular and well used symbols in the designs of Celtic jewelry, most notably on Celtic pendants, Celtic earrings and as Irish charm bracelets.

History and Meaning of Celtic Jewelry and Celtic Cross Jewelry

The origins of Celtic Jewelry are thought to date back to between 2000 BC to around 550 AD when silver and gold was used by Celtic craftsmen to create exquisite jewelry adorned with Celtic symbols.

As time has moved on the process of making Celtic jewelry may have been refined, but the symbols and meanings that decorate modern day pieces are style very much evident and the reason why unique, charming and symbolic Irish Celtic Jewelry is so highly admired and treasured throughout the world.

The range of delightful Celtic Jewelry available today includes Celtic rings, bracelets, pendants, Celtic earrings, Celtic brooches and charms ,and each is distinctive in meaning, style and splendour!

Take the Celtic cross, a timeless piece of Celtic Jewelry whose four arms are thought to be a symbol of the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, and whose center ring is said to be representative of the Celtic symbol for infinite love, more precise god’s endless love.  Seeped in such powerful representation it is an ideal reflection of the hopes and ambitions of the Celts and why craftsmen of all generations are so dedicated to ensure each piece of Celtic cross jewelry is perfect.

Waterford Crystal: The Lismore Collection

The most enduring crystal-cut in history, Lismore by Waterford Crystal is known for its class, elegance and beauty. Launched in 1952 and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year (2013), is of all Waterford Crystal’s cuts the most cherished.

Guaranteed to add style and splendour to your home, any piece from the Waterford Crystal Lismore Collection, be it wine glasses, vases, picture frames or something more unique such as candlesticks or an essence votive will be admired and envied by family and friends.

The Lismore Collection takes its inspiration from the Lismore Castle, which is situated on a cliff high above the River Backwater near the Knockmealdown Mountains in the village of Lismore in County Waterford, and its simple cuts are as novel now as they were some 60 years ago.

A timeless Irish Gift, the ageless crystal cut of Lismore is perhaps the most famous of all Waterford designs, with its stemware being possibly the most popular from the collection.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Claddagh Ring

A popular ring known around the world, Claddagh rings were originally part of the fethe rings, a group of European finger rings that date back to Roman times, when the gesture of clasped hands was a symbol of pledging vows.

Used as engagement and wedding bands in medieval and Renaissance Europe, this tradition lived on for centuries in the tiny Galway village that developed the distinctive ring.

Made and developed for centuries in the tiny village of Claddagh from where it gets its name, the ring shows two hands holding a heart upon which lies a crown. This motif is explained in the phrase: "Let Love and Friendship reign", an ideal poesy for a wedding ring used by a small community of Claddagh for over four hundred years. The three elements, the heart, the crown and the hands symbolize different things. The heart of the Claddagh represents love, the crown symbolic of loyalty, and the hands signify friendship. These symbolic meanings make it easy to understand why the Claddagh is still such a popular and appropriate choice for a wedding or as a friendship ring.

As well as the denotations of the distinctive Celtic rings design, how the Claddagh ring is worn upon ones hand is said to reveal the relationship status of the wearer. Traditionally, if the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the crown facing the base of the finger the ring-wearer is said to be single and not in a serious relationship. Worn on the right hand with the crown facing away from the base of the finger indicates that the wearer is in love or married. And again to cause confusion according to some traditions, if a Claddagh is worn on the left hand with the crown in either direction it confirms that that the wearer is married.

The true origins of the claddagh ring we know of today is shrouded in myth, the most popular story being that they were fashioned by a silversmith from Claddagh in Galway by the name of Richard Joyce whose own story is as illustrious as the rings he fashioned. Captured and taken as a slave whilst on a visit to the West Indies, Joyce was sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the art of jewelry making. He eventually regained his freedom on the demands of William III of England, and immediately went back to his homeland and settling down in the village of Claddagh, Galway where he continued on his goldsmith practice by making Celtic jewelry. The Claddagh ring became a particular specialty as a way celebrate his return home and as a symbol of his love for kin and country.

With its distinctive look and with such a romantic feel good story behind it, it is no wonder that the Claddagh is one of the most famous and popular items of Celtic Irish jewelry around.