Celtic cross tattoo is probably the most popular symbol coming out of Celtic art. People often get Celtic cross tattoos according to their religion and artistic preferences.
Celtic art which is a part of the Celtic culture is ancient and goes back approximately 3000 years. The Celtic art was spread all over Europe by the Celtic people who immigrated from place to place (All those who lived in Europe and spoke the Celtic language, where considered to be Celts – they were mainly Irish and Scottish).
Celtic art has evolved over the years, influenced by time and geography; starting from the Iron Age (1000BC), when the designs were consisted mostly out of oriental traditional elements.
Another contribution to Celtic designs was in Europe (around Britain and Ireland). The locals, who were a part of the Celtic culture, added their own interpretation and style to the designs.
The last tine Celtic art went trough changes was by modern Celts during the 18th century. Celtic art was “discovered again” after it was used by artists of that era and the modern Celts who looked to nationalize their heritage.
The complex designs of Celtic art, considered as very sophisticated patterns (among tribal art designs in general). The patterns are the most important thing in the design. Most of the crosses look more or less the same (the cross and the circle), but there are plenty of patterns, with different origins.
Celtic cross design has obviously evolved after we already had the traditional cross (After Christ was born). The Celtic people who followed Christianity, gave the cross their own personal touch. This was probably done, in order to get a stronger “connection” between Christianity and Celtic culture.
The Celtic cross has a circle that surrounds the connection point of the strait lines, which the traditional cross is made out of. The circle represents life and continuity.
Celtic cross tattoos, very often have special knots weaved in the design. The knots are an artistic development, an extra decoration, that started sometime around the fourth century.
One the most admired among the knots, is the trinity knot, which can remind you of the rings magicians use (its just not round). Other related designs from the Celtic art are: “claddagh” – which consists out of two hands holding a hart with a crown on top (was usually given as a sign of friendship and good luck), and the shamrock – which is a green flower with three leafs (Three is an important number in Christianity, and the shamrock was used as an example for the father, the sun and the holly spirit).
With all that said, you should have an idea of what are your options. Clearly, the Celtic cross tattoo design that you are looking for – could have lots of meaning. You should pay extra attention to the patterns that decorate the cross and circle, try to find out what is their origin and why they were drawn that way – this will insure a better “connection” between you and your chosen cross tattoo.
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To the Celts, trees were highly spiritual entities that bridged between heavens and our earthly world. The tree of life itself was believed to support life. Its roots were set in the underworld, its branches stretched high into heaven, and its trunk existed in the earthly plane. The Celts believed the tree was a conjunction point between the worlds and that the gods used it to communicate with the humans below.
The Celtic tree of life tattoos have three basic elements. First, every design must have strong roots that symbolically reach deep into the ground. Second, the design needs a solid trunk. Third, dozens of branches reach towards the sky and heaven. Usually, the top branches combine with the roots bellow, making a round, fluent, earth-like image.