| It is safe to say most of us enjoy receiving gifts. | | | | of a more elaborate design. |
| We might even enjoy buying gifts for our loved one, | | | | Historically Celtic art has gone through 4 different |
| but to find something special, beautiful, useful, | | | | periods. |
| meaningful and most importantly something that | | | | - Hallstadt (700 BC) - when Celtic art was |
| particular person can enjoy - well it can be just plain | | | | predominantly about the geometric designs. |
| tricky. | | | | - La Tenne (450BC) - floral and geometric designs. |
| It is also safe to say that to buy something for | | | | - Early Christian (400AD) - the knotwork interlace as |
| people you are closest to is the trickiest of all. | | | | well as designs of animals and people. |
| It does defy all logic - you know these people, what | | | | - Insular (also known as Late Christian, 750AD) - the |
| they like and do not like. But let me ask you - how | | | | likes of the Books of Kells bring the knotwork |
| many times have you chosen a gift for your wife | | | | interlace to its highest point in both jewelry and |
| mother/friend and were feeling pretty proud of | | | | manuscripts. |
| yourself and your choice only to see a) their face | | | | As Celtic art developed and changed over the years |
| drop when they open a gift and b) a gift you have | | | | so has the meaning of different types of knotwork. |
| so thoughtfully chosen stashed away somewhere, | | | | It's difficult to say with any accuracy what symbolism |
| never worn, never used or worst of all returned? | | | | the ancient Celts attributed to the Trinity knot but |
| Celtic jewelry can be a great choice if you are | | | | since it can be found on anything from stone |
| shopping for that special woman in your life. Special? | | | | carvings to illustrated manuscripts later on, it's safe to |
| Check. Beautiful? Check. Unique? Check. | | | | say it did have a significant meaning. |
| Yes, even if your ancestors are not Irish and even if | | | | Some research shows that for the pagans the Trinity |
| you are not on the look out for that engagement or | | | | knot might have signified the interconnectedness of |
| wedding ring. | | | | the 3 feminine powers - the Mother, Maiden and the |
| One of the most popular designs in Celtic jewelry are | | | | Crone. |
| Trinity knot pendants. The design of the Trinity knot | | | | Some suggest that it did mean the connection |
| pendant is intricate, delicate and beautiful. | | | | between the body, mind and soul. |
| But the meaning behind it is even more beautiful. | | | | Since there are no written records the ancient Celts |
| The Trinity knot or as it also known, the Triquetra, | | | | took the secret of the meaning to their graves. |
| (from the Latin words tri which means three and | | | | On the other hand, some more information is |
| quetres which means cornered) was used to describe | | | | available for the Early Christian and the Insular period |
| any type of three cornered shape. | | | | - it is said that the Trinity knot represented the |
| Even though nowadays the Trinity knot is associated | | | | interconnectedness of the Father, the Son and the |
| with Celts and Celtic art and knotwork, we have to | | | | Holy Spirit. |
| differentiate between the Celts and Celtic art. | | | | For the modern day meaning - the so-called |
| Celts were nomads who lived all over Europe - one | | | | Neo-pagans use the Trinity knot to symbolize the |
| of the reason perhaps why the Triquetra has been | | | | connectedness of Land, Sea and Sky. Wiccans on |
| found on rune stones and coins in Germany. | | | | the other hand have come to associate it with the |
| But Celtic art and the knotwork interlace we have | | | | triple goddess. |
| grown to know today should be associated with Irish | | | | Since the ancient Celts are not around anymore to |
| Christian monks that emigrated from continental | | | | shed some light on the original meaning of the Trinity |
| Europe to convert the pagans to Christianity. And the | | | | knot, we only have the more modern meanings to |
| monks in turn were influenced by the knotwork of | | | | use as a guide. But as with anything in life every little |
| the Middle Eastern countries. | | | | thing has a meaning that you give it. |
| Although it is still unclear exactly what the Triquetra | | | | Fact remains, the Trinity knot pendant makes for a |
| meant to the Celts, it was most heavily featured in | | | | beautiful gift for that special woman in your life, no |
| either metal work or illustrated manuscripts such as | | | | matter what meaning you decide to give it. |
| the Book of Kells - the Triquetra was usually a part | | | | |