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Hey, pals, I can tell what the Celtic Cross does. It shows the the way that it is a symbol to Irish churches and other Celtic catholics. Not only the Celtic Knot shows the Irish thing but also other Celts to provide. Isn't that true? Can you tell me what they look like as symbols?

Oh, Maaaaagggiiiiiiieeeee??  ;)

Kimberly, here is a typical Celtic Cross in a Churchyard in Ireland:

(http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t040/T040982A.jpg)

Here is one in jewelry:

(http://www.the-irish-shop.com/3NG00008_sm.jpg)

The most beautiful examples of Celtic knots are in the Book of Kells, ancient scripture preserved in the Library of Trinity College Dublin. They were drawn by 8th Century monks.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/KellsDecoratedInitial.jpg/180px-KellsDecoratedInitial.jpg)
There are many designs of Celtic Knots. The basic design is a never-ending weaving line, which signifies eternity.

(http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/a/U/2/shieldknot3.jpg)(http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/_/R/2/celticknot2.jpg)

When a celtic knot has three leaves like the following, it signifies the Blessed Trinity:
(http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/q/G/2/striqueta2.jpg)(http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/V/R/2/celticknot.jpg)

Whoa and wow! Thanks for the pictures, Maggie, you're so great finding them. :)

I have had a celtic cross hanging from my rearview mirror for years, right below my St Christopher's meda for the last 45 years. Been in every car I have oned  (the ones I drive)

Jim

You did? Does it have a tip swinging on when you're driving? I've just seen these Celtic crosses carved for years.

I bought one in Lowe's for $9.99, it's a very nice example, about 18 inches high, now in the garden. Showing my Faith and culture all in one.

Actually I bought mine in our church gift shop and had it blessed. No swining tip, but it goes swing a bit.

Jim

Geez, I wish I still had one as a decoration on the wall. ::)

I must agree with Maggie that the best examples are in Trinity College  The Book of Kells was assume. I was told it was found many years ago in a pete bog not sure if it's true or not but Maggie will surely know. The colors are so vibrant on the text. We purchased a "genuine imitation" of one of the pages and also a picture of the LONG ROOM..The library at Trinity College.  i am still looking for a Celtic Cross as I was Going to buy one at the next stop.  Sadly I never did.

Maggie, I have seen the trinity knot advertized in various jewelry sites as the triqueta.  What is the difference if any?

You can also mention that Celtic knots come in traditional shapes too, can't you? I can say that Celtic crosses come from Celtic churches.

That library has every book ever printed in Britain and Ireland; quite an amazing place! I remember looking at the Book of Kells and thinking it iddn't even look real because of all the gold that was in it.

The book of Kells is thought to have been started at another of the ancient monastic sites, probably Iona (Scotland) possibly by Saint Columba himself. It was definitely brought to Kells and finished there.
It was stolen, and later found "under a sod", not exactly in a peat bog, but buried somewhere. When found the gold jewelled cover was missing. Some front and back pages are missing, but it has the complete four gospels.
The quality and colors are amazing when you consider what the monks had to work with, and the poor lighting they had.

Gerald of Wales, a 12th Century writer, described it:
"Fine craftsmanship is all about you, but you might not notice it. Look more keenly at it and you will penetrate to the very shrine of art. You will make out intricacies, so delicate and so subtle, so full of knots and links, with colours so fresh and vivid, that you might say that all this was the work of an angel, and not of a man."

In 1654, when Cromwell arrived in Kells, the Book was sent to Dublin to keep it safe, (thank God) and it has remained there.

This is the four evangelists in the Book, and the Long Room at the Trinity College Library, well worth a visit.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/KellsFol027v4Evang.jpg/200px-KellsFol027v4Evang.jpg)  (http://www.tcd.ie/Library/images/LongRoom1.jpg)

That's such a pretty look of the Celtic cross you've got there. Oh, and those pictures are magnificent too.

Maggie  the picture of the four gospels is what we have hanging on our foyer as well as the Walsh and Coffee coat of arms and an old map of Ireland

WOW! :o I love the pics! I'm trying to make a quilt dedecated to eaiter CW or Ireland. I haven't  decided wich yet. ;D What other symbols represent Ireland? No pics needed, I can find them myself, but the names of some would be helpful!!!  Many thanks!

The Shamrock, which has three leaves. Saint Patrick used it to demonstrate the Trinity.
The four-leaf clover is NOT an Irish symbol. (http://www.shamrockirishmusic.org/imagelib/sitebuilder/layout/clover_clover.gif)

Saint Brigid's Cross  (http://www.classic-crossandcrucifix.com/pics/thumbs/m148161001t.jpg)
As the Shamrock is associated with St. Patrick, the small cross made of rushes is linked forever to St. Brigid of Ireland. Brigid died in 524 and among the many things and great charity for which she is known, it was while explaining the Passion to a dying pagan that she wove her famous cross. It is believed that the St. Brigid cross protects homes from evil and want.

And of course, most important of all, the Harp:

(http://193.178.1.117/upload/Nationalharp.jpg)

The Harp is exclusively an emblem of the State at home and abroad. It is always used by Government Departments and Offices. It also appears on all Irish coins.

OOOOO! Thank you so much Maggie! Those will help alot!!!