Wedding rings have no beginning or end, but as a circle are a symbol of endless love. For couples who want to build on that symbolism, Celtic wedding rings designed around ancient Celtic knots are a popular choice.
What is a Celtic knot?
Celtic knots are ancient in origin. Some historians argue that Celtic knots can be dated back as far as 500 B.C. but evidence to support this view is scarce. However, evidence is clear that Celtic knots existed as early as the third century A.D. So that's when they started, but what are they and what do they mean?
Celtic knots are composed of complete loops designed with a single thread. That thread has no beginning or end – no loose ends. They symbolize the interconnection of life and eternity. On a wedding band, these loops are said to represent eternal loyalty, faith, friendship or love.The most popular Celtic rings, claddagh rings, are among the earliest rings crafted of gold. Aside from the claddagh ring, wedding rings sporting Celtic knot designs also make popular choices because these knots represent common themes of loyalty, faith, friendship or love.
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Claddagh ring meaning
The Claddagh ring design includes two hands holding a heart between them, with a crown above the heart. The hands represent friendship, the heart symbolizes love and the meaning of the crown is loyalty. One of the reasons this ring is so popular is that it can be worn as an engagement ring or a wedding band. As an engagement ring, the claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing outward. Once married, it is worn with the heart facing inward. Traditionally, a claddagh ring is passed from mother to daughter.
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| Celtic Love Knot Ring |
Celtic love knot ring
The love knot is comprised of interlacing knots which represent
the love between two people. It is thought that the Celts exchanged these knots
similarly to the way we exchange rings today. The Celtic oval knot is one of
the oldest designs and perfect for those who want a simple ring design.
Celtic spiral knot
The Celtic spiral knot is a three-sided knot which stands for: water, fire and earth. The spiral itself is considered a sacred symbol which signifies the journey of life as it unfolds and the continuous line design of the spiral knot represents oneness of spirit and unity. Perfect for a new couple as they stand at the threshold of life together.
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| Celtic Trinity Wedding Ring |
Trinity wedding ring meaning
Christian influence on the Celtic civilization can
also been seen in designs like the Trinity knot which is also known as the
Triquetra. This is another very popular design choice for modern wedding bands
among Christians. The curving lines of the Triquetra represent faith in God with
the three points signifying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When choosing the metal to craft your Celtic wedding ring, if you want to go with tradition you have plenty of leeway in making a choice based on your preference because the ancient Celts wore jewelry crafted from bronze, gold, tin, silver, coral and enamel.
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