| > | | | | deeper meaning behind the design. It’s also easy |
| | | | enough to say that the ring is about how all things are |
| Thousands of years ago, the Celts, a group of | | | | interconnected, but this is so general that it |
| independent tribes spread throughout much of current | | | | doesn’t help explain why we may be attracted |
| day Europe, were sophisticated artisans, carving knot | | | | to the sacred geometry of one ring over another. |
| work patterns that have inspired modern day jewelers | | | | To do this, you can contemplate the various |
| to create wedding rings. These motifs have meaning. | | | | components that make up the knot work and try to |
| Yet understanding the knot patterns and why they | | | | determine how they are functioning. For example, |
| make such ideal wedding rings can be illusive. The | | | | consider the circle. We speak of a circle of friends and |
| ancient motifs are rooted in mysterious cultures that | | | | live in circular cycles, such as the day and the season. |
| stretch back well before written history. | | | | Native cultures throughout the world hold ceremonies in |
| Though the earliest written accounts of the Celts were | | | | protective circles. A knot work pattern with circles or |
| from Roman descriptions, some knot work motifs | | | | variations of circles certainly has some important keys |
| found in Eastern Europe may be as old as 20,000 | | | | to relationships and community. In the broadest sense, |
| years. We know the Celts, similar to Native people of | | | | the ring itself is a circle, and putting it on has also |
| North America, viewed that the earth itself as well as | | | | always been symbolic of sealing a commitment. |
| all aspects of life and death as divine. They had a | | | | A square knot motif concerns structure, which is why |
| large and varied pantheon, worshipping local gods. The | | | | buildings use the shape of a square foundation. |
| natural world was considered sacred, and every river, | | | | Squares certainly have an element of stability. |
| mountain and tree had its own spirit of place. Rituals | | | | Numbers were a significant part Celtic lore, and the |
| were rooted in a particular oak grove or waterfall. | | | | number five represented the four directions and the |
| Early Celtic leaders even mocked human-like images | | | | center point. |
| of Olympian gods or the wild animals of their vale and | | | | Many Celtic rings also deal with vectors that travel in a |
| forests. | | | | certain direction. If you look at the shape of an arrow, |
| Knot work, which has become synonymous with | | | | it’s easy to understand why a triangle might |
| today’s idea of Celtic was undoubtedly a | | | | connote movement. |
| form of sacred, artistic expression. Some of the most | | | | Another common Celtic motif is the knot work |
| famous designs were preserved in highly embellished, | | | | depicting a trinity. Many Celtic deities had three forms. |
| illuminated manuscripts, such as the Book of Kells | | | | The Mother Goddess was understood to the maiden, |
| which somehow survived the Viking invasions. It was | | | | mother and crone. The universe was viewed as |
| created in the 9th century at a monastery off the | | | | heaven, earth and otherworld. We are born, we live |
| Scottish coast, and depicts wonderfully imaginative | | | | and we die. Certainly the trinity knot also illustrates the |
| images of humans and animals embellished with knot | | | | One being dividing off into the masculine and feminine, |
| work motifs, linking medieval Christianity with ancient | | | | or the mother and son-- a mystical truth contemplated |
| Druidic culture. | | | | in many sacred traditions. |
| In Western culture, there is a long and venerable | | | | While the above guide for understanding knot work is |
| tradition of artists that have been inspired by knot | | | | not necessarily based on any scholarly or |
| work motifs. Celtic design was particularly popular in | | | | anthropological text on the meaning of knots, it does |
| the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and | | | | provide a starting point that is based on a universal |
| Raphael studied and depicted knots in their work. In | | | | perspective. Every Celtic ring is going to have some |
| modern times, some of Picasso’s early art is | | | | variation of these shapes. Spending some time |
| highly influenced by knot work. And there has always | | | | contemplating the motif may yield some insight. |
| been a group of metal and visual artists that have kept | | | | Though modern jewelry techniques allow a greater |
| the Celtic fires burning by using the knot work patterns | | | | range of possibilities than the Celts had during the time |
| in jewelry and other forms of artistic expression. | | | | of the Romans, finding an exceptional Celtic wedding |
| For some people, the choice to have a Celtic wedding | | | | ring at a local jewelry store may not be possible. The |
| ring is an expression of their wish to connect deeply | | | | best place to search is on the internet, which has the |
| into their own ancestry. They feel empathy with a | | | | widest selection. Today you can find rings made with |
| European based tribal tradition that treats the earth as | | | | platinum, or white and yellow gold accented with |
| Mother. It’s also easy to fall in love with soulful | | | | diamonds. Some of the most beautiful rings are |
| Celtic music and poetry. Others simply want the one | | | | bi-metal, where the knots are one color, such as white |
| piece of jewelry that they wear every day to have a | | | | gold, while the rim of the ring might be yellow gold. |
| beautiful design with significance. | | | | There is a wide range of class and price. |
| Whether one has Celtic heritage or not, a Celtic motif | | | | Your wedding ring is a once in a life time purchase that |
| wedding ring is appropriate because it has universal, | | | | you will live with every day. It must be aesthetically |
| symbolic meaning. In the most general sense, the knots | | | | beautiful. The knot work on the rings should be well |
| express two different paths woven together. Life itself | | | | executed. It should have some meaning that makes |
| can be viewed as a great web of interconnectedness | | | | sense for you which should be explained on the |
| which is expressed in the knot work. Even our own | | | | website. |
| spiritual path, metaphorically, can be viewed as a | | | | The best jewelry designers offer engagement ring |
| tapestry of interconnected experiences. The Celtic | | | | sets, along with the option of having a wider band for |
| wedding ring is a talisman which reminds us, in physical | | | | the gent and a narrower of the same knot work motif |
| form, of our mystic connection with another person | | | | for the lady. You’ll want it comfort fit, which |
| and the great web of life. | | | | means that the band tapers slightly toward the center, |
| This weave of particular experiences makes us | | | | making it easy to wear. Since it is very likely within the |
| unique, which is why we are attracted to some knot | | | | course of a marriage that you’ll gain or loose |
| work patterns on wedding rings more than others. | | | | twenty pounds, it is most advantageous to choose a |
| What appeals to you and your fiancé may well | | | | ring with a sizing band. |
| bring insight to the nature of your relationship. Some | | | | The company you choose should have a record of |
| couples are attracted to knot work motifs that are | | | | creditability backed up by customer service, |
| simple and flowing, which perhaps illustrates a | | | | guaranteeing their product. Give them a call and see if |
| partnership based on harmony and ease. Other knot | | | | they are worthy of doing business with. A track record |
| work designs on wedding rings are more dynamic and | | | | of timely delivery is also essential. It’s not |
| complicated, suggesting creative elements, or | | | | uncommon for a ring from outside the US to be held |
| passionate peaks and valleys. | | | | up by Customs, for example. |
| Many Celtic merchants will label a particular design as | | | | Finally, the most important thing is to trust your feelings. |
| Friendship or Unity but often there’s | | | | The rings should be unique and resonate with your |
| not any real basis for these labels. These facile tags | | | | own profound, sacred connection and commitment to |
| short change the person interested in the ring by giving | | | | your beloved. |
| a concept instead of assisting them to understand the | | | | |