Celtic Symbols

The popularity of Iceland’s tourism sector is growing day by day and this ever increasing popularity is encouraging more and more people to turn towards this small country in northern Europe to spend their summer and winter holidays. If you are planning to go in summer, which is the best time to visit there, you must take care of necessary reservations of flights and accommodations in hotels. Also do not forget to book the tickets of cultural and art shows that take place there in summer season only. Through these shows one can get the closer view of Iceland and its language.

The most used language of Iceland is “the Icelandic” and it is one of the very famous Nordic languages group. This group is the sub-group of the Germanic languages. Normally, Germanic language is divided into two groups i.e. North Germanic or Nordic languages and West Germanic. Iceland was first inhabited in around 870 A.D and most of the first visitors were from Norway [west Norway], Sweden and Ireland. Some Celtics were also in the earliest arrivals to Iceland. The language that became the most popular in Iceland was that of the people of Norway. Some traces of Celtic language are also visible in Icelandic language. The only words borrowed from Celtic language are some personal names and some names of places. Till 14th century Icelandic and Norwegian language was almost same. It was after 14th century that they became totally different from each other. This change occurred due to significant changes in the language of Norway. Icelandic language didn’t change and this was due to rich Icelandic literature that was written in read in the same language in 12th and 13th centuries. Now it is said that not even a single word has changed in Icelandic language that’s why the texts written in twelfth century can be read by a ten year boy even now. Another quality of Icelandic language is its uniformity i.e. the absence of dialects. But, Icelandic language has seen a huge change in its phonetics.

Because of its closeness to North America Icelandic is quite popular there. There are many in North America that speaks Icelandic language. These communities came into existence because there was huge immigration of people between Iceland, Canada and America right from the final 25 years of nineteenth century and the initial years of twentieth century. The first immigration is said to have started as early as 1855 but it started on huge amount only after 1870. It is said that first small colony of Icelanders was set around Lake Michigan in Washington in 1870. In 1875, Icelanders reached Canada and formed their first colony there on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg “also called new Iceland”. Many of same colonies were formed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Till now also hundreds and thousands of people there can still read, write and speak Icelandic language.

Since nineteenth century, language purism has been the national policy of the government of Iceland. According to this policy, they have decided that instead of using foreign words for new things they will coin the new words [neologism] or will revive the old words and use them after giving then new meanings. The Icelandic committee for language is responsible to guide government and public in general regarding the matters of language based on scholarly basis.

The beauty, intricate designs and symbolism of the Claddagh engagement ring and other Celtic engagement rings has built a following among many young couples today. In a world of turmoil, confusion and duplicity, many of the younger generations are revisiting their roots for direction and guidance. The Irish community is rich in mythology, spiritualism and cultural beliefs. The Celtic engagement ring is a sign of deeply held family customs and beliefs.

A Sentimental Gift is Found in the Celtic Engagement Ring

The Celtic engagement rings are known for the sentiment that is symbolized in each ring. The designer usually bases the design of each ring on a wedding sentiment such as “love for all eternity”, “tying the knot” and some other sentiments of love. Then the ring is designed to match and is named after the emotion or sentiment. Most rings have some sort of knot shape or combination of knots to symbolize the union of two lives. The most popular style of Celtic engagement ring is the Claddagh engagement ring.

The Claddagh is Rich in Irish Folklore

The Claddagh is the symbol for the Republic of Ireland, a design that is deeply embedded in the Irish folklore. The image on the ring is that of two hands surrounding a heart with a royal crown placed directly above the heart. The design symbolizes the welcoming hands of a marriage union; a strong and loving heart and the crown represent the proud people of Ireland.

Many Believe Irish Design isn’t “Irish” Unless it’s Made in Ireland

There is a common held belief that jewelry made in the Irish design isn’t real if it wasn’t made in Ireland. There are specific regions in Ireland that are responsible for custom design. So a couple shopping for the symbolism, sentiment and beauty of a true Celtic engagement ring would want to access Irish internet web sites or a visit to a jeweler of Irish heritage. However, keep in mind that in many traditional Irish circles, it is considered bad manners to wear the Claddagh if you are not of Irish descent.

The Claddagh Engagement Ring is Rich in the Irish Culture

The Claddagh Celtic engagement ring usually doubles as the wedding band. While the Claddagh engagement ring is available in a wide variety of styles, the specification to how it is to be worn is absolute. The importance of Claddagh Celtic engagement ring is significant with how it is worn on the young woman’s hand. When a woman wears a Claddagh ring, she must turn the heart inwards if she is unmarried and change the direction of the heart upon becoming betrothed. The heart facing outward tells the world that she is bound is marriage and has given her heart away.

For more information from Brian Welsch about Celtic Engagement Rings check www.ringsforengagement.com

On the 21 November 2006, it was agreed by the EU that Irish would become the 21st official language of the EU. Irish is really an ancient Celtic language called Gaelic. Gaelic is also the official language of Scotland, thus far part of the UK. The two Gaelic languages are somewhat different, quite different in fact. The different languages.within our world are part of what makes it colourful and interesting and the debate about how many different languages that we, the people of this planet should use, will go on as long as the world exists.

About 30% of the Irish speak Gaelic, we are told; this is in the Southern independent part of Ireland, which gained its freedom from the UK in the early 19th Century, leaving only Northern Ireland as part of the UK.

Southern Ireland is part of the EU and has the Euro as its currency, Northern Ireland is part of the UK and as such also belongs to the EU, the UK (which includes Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) does not use the Euro, so it is not the currency for those countries either.

Confused enough yet? The Welsh and the Scottish also have their own Parliaments (Assemblies) and can make certain laws of their own, so for someone going to work in the British Isles, this mix of currency, laws and language create a nice labyrinth to work out!

No doubt all this multi-partisan status exists all over the World in different countries, with differing interests, loyalties and histories. In that sense it seems that Globalisation is a force for the good as it unites the people of this tiny planet and helps them to acknowledge that we are all in this together and maybe it’s time to time to preserve the past, but not try live in it.

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The Tin Whistle (sometimes called a pennywhistle) is a simple and cheap instrument. It’s simply a metal tube with six fingerholes and a mouthpiece (much like a recorder); it has a range of about two octaves. Costs range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars — although some of the best players play only the cheaper brands.

The tin whistle is a simple instrument — and it’s simple to play, and simple to play easy tunes. But — it’s not simple to master! The instrument may be cheap, but you’ll have to pay for mastery … by practicing! The haunting whistle tunes from the movie “Titanic” illustrate the deep soul found in this instrument.

This instrument is commonly made from metal (usually brass) with a molded whistle mouthpiece. By playing it open (not covering any of the six fingerholes), then by covering each fingerhole in turn, you can play the 7 notes in a diatonic (a simple Do-Re-Mi scale — essentially the white keys on a piano) scale. Blow a little bit harder and you’ll play the same note, but an octave higher. While it is a diatonic instrument, you can achieve sharps and flats by half-covering fingerholes.

Since there are essentially only two open notes — a note, then the note an octave higher when you blow harder — each tin whistle is said to represent a certain Key signature. For instance, if the open note sounds a “D”, then the whistle is considered to be in the key of D. Many players carry a small set of whistles in the most commonly used keys.

Some people don’t realize you can actually tune a tin whistle! You do so by sliding the metal barrel of the whistle in and out of the mouthpiece head. Some whistles have the head glues securely to the barrel. You can usually loosen the glue by holding the joined portion under hot running water. Don’t use boiling water — this may melt the plastic whistle head!

Key signatures commonly found in celtic Music are “D Major” and “G Major”. By default, all tin whistles are in a Major key (since they play a diatonic scale). However, if you begin your scale with all the fingerholes covered (instead of all fingerholes open), then you’re beginning one step higher than a diatonic scale — which results in a minor key signature! For instance, a tin whistle in “D” can play in E Minor if you begin your scale by covering all the fingerholes. Interestingly enough, the chord sequence “E Minor” and “D Major” is commonly found in Celtic Music. (This is the same chord sequence used in “What Would You Do with A Drunken Sailor”.) A whistle in “G Major” could easily play in A Minor (A Minor and G being another commonly found chord sequence).

Celtic Design Tattoos

Celtic design tattoos have experienced a massive revival in recent years. The history of the Celts goes back thousands of years. The early Celtic people displayed their skills in complex artwork and were regarded as fierce warriors by the Romans. Influences for Celtic design tattoos and evidence of Celtic crosses and Celtic artwork can still be found all over Ireland.

Modern Celtic people have evolved symbols for themselves, and North Americans, of Celtic descent often adorn Celtic design tattoos to show off their Celtic origin. The ancient Celts passed knowledge down through an oral tradition of storytelling and didn’t keep many written records. Consequently, there is little evidence of their actual Celtic design tattoo preferences remaining even though Cross Celtic design tattoos and Knot Celtic design tattoos are very popular designs.

Most of Celtic design tattoos are taken from the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts The Book of Kells, which is on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin. This manuscript represents a much later time period than the time period of the height of Celtic design tattoo. Designs from ancient stone and metal work are more likely to be from the same time period as Celtic design tattooing.

Knot Celtic design tattoos are usually loops with no end or beginning, much like the Mobius strip, symbolizing the never ending cycle of death and rebirth. Celtic animal (zoomorphic tattoo designs) designs are similar in construction but the cords traditionally terminate in the feet, heads or tails of the Celtic design tattoos. Pure knots are usually unending, unless the end of a strand is stylized into a zoomorphic element or a spiral.

The intricacy of Knot Celtic design tattoos, defy literal translation and their meaning are to be found at a deeper level. The repeated crossing of the physical and the spiritual are expressed in the interlacing of the knots. The never ending path of the strands may represent the permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith. For these reason Celtic design tattoos have become incredibly popular.

If you are of Celtic heritage, whether Irish, Scots or Welsh, getting Celtic design tattoos is a way of expressing pride in your heritage by reaffirming an affinity to the indigenous artistic style of your ancestors. Celtic design tattoos are not easy designs to recreate, and it is strongly recommended to make sure that your artist has experience in designing Celtic design tattoos. Not all tattoo artists have such an eye for detail and exacting line placement required for the intricate patterns particular to Celtic design tattoos.

Thousands years back Europe was Celtic England ruled over by Celts. They had developed the fantastic Celtic artwork. This artwork contains spiral, knot works, animal forms and interlacing patterns.

In 450 BC the Celtic artwork was brilliantly developed with swirling spirals and hidden faces of animals and human. The designs were made with the help of compasses and French curves were used in this Era. Then the knot works were introduced in Celtic arts in early Christian era. In late Christian era the Celtic artwork was used in gold, silver etc to make the finest jewelry.

Hallstatt is the first style in Celtic art that includes geometric designs. La Tene style includes leaf work and spiral designs. These designs specialize in developing faces which may appear and disappear. This is the cleverest method used in Celtic arts.

Knot work is the most famous style in Celtic art. Trinity knot has three knots weaving through itself or through number of strips. Spiral style may look like swirls double, triple or quadruple designs. They are mingled with one another like the English alphabet S or C.

Zoomorphic is that style in which animal shape like snake, bird, salmon and lion are used. The birds will normally be peacock or eagle. The early Celtic artwork did not use the shape of dragon. However modern Celtic art uses dragon in its design. The animals are normally designed as twisted with one another and therefore it resembles the knot work style to some extent.

Maze style is just like spiral designs and step style appears like tiles. People are also designed in Celtic artwork with different hair styles and dressings.

Generally, the Celtic art styles provide some symbolic representation. Knot work depicts the inter connectivity of life and human in the universe. Similarly the spirals define the personal spirit and it also determines the importance of holy sprits. Maze and steps style refers to journey of life. In Zoomorphic every animal depicts one quality. Lion stands for strength, Snakes for rebirth, Peacocks for purity and so on.

The Celts normally displayed their artwork in metal. Celtic jewelry had minute designs which were the finest artwork of Celts.

Irish Celtic artwork is more famous than other countries in Europe. Though Celts lived in England, Spain and France apart from Ireland, Irish Celtic art has great impact all over the world. The Irish art combines the knots, crosses etc. Celtic Crosses were the powerful symbols and so they are used even now in various art works. The Irish Celtic artworks reached its apex in the period of Vikings.

The Celtic artworks are one of the rich heritages in the world. The original Celtic art by a brilliant artist Jen Dellyth are developed to depict the Earth’s mysteries and mythologies. The Celtic tree of life is the most famous creation of Jen Dellyth. You can get the Tree of life artworks by this artist through online. These artworks come with signature of the artist. Every tree depicts some symbolic representation in a dark background. Tree worship was famous among Celts. Therefore, the artist selects the tree base to illustrate various myths in the world.

Consider the instruments used by your favorite celtic group — certainly, there’s a fiddle … and there may be a tinwhistle and perhaps some bagpipes.  There’s probably a guitar and a bodhran (a sort of handheld drum) — but what about those other stringed instruments?

You may find a mandolin or a mandola in the group — and perhaps a bouzouki.  In fact, a bouzouki may take the place of the guitar.  What makes these instruments useful in celtic folk music?

First off, you’re probably familiar with a mandolin.  It’s a small (pretty much violin-sized) strummed or plucked instrument — you can finger chords on it and strum it, or you can pluck individual strings to play a melody.  Mandolin’s are common to most types of folk or country music.  They have essentially the same scale length as a violin (the strings are about the same length) — in fact, it’s normally tuned exactly like a violin — GDAE!  This makes it very easy to learn both instruments. 

The mandolin has a high, ringing tone.  When playing accompanying chords, the mandolin’s high pitch and sharp attach have an almost percussive effect … making it an excellent rhythm instrument. Since the mandolin isn’t loud when individual notes are plucked, most solo playing requires a fast and repeated picking technique.

The mandola is a little larger than the mandolin — giving it a lower pitch.  Some tune it a fifth down from a mandolin — CGDA.  Some folks even tune an entire octave lower — although the scale length isn’t really long enough for proper intonation.  The lower tones alter the effect of strummed chords — instead of a sharp and ringing attack (like a mandolin), the effect is much closer to a guitar where the chords flow naturally to the background.  Sharp and bright chords jump to the forefront of a song — sometimes this is good, but usually you want your rhythym instruments to be complimentary, not a featured solo instrument.

If lower is better for chord playing, then why not go all the way to an octave mandolin?  Tuned like a mandolin to GDAE … except an octave lower … the octave mandolin also has a scale length close to a guitar.  And here’s where we start running into problems!

How far can your fingers stretch?  Most chords on a guitar span 4 frets at the most — with 3 being the most common maximum stretch.  Mandolin chords often span 4 frets — with some having a 5 fret span.  When played on a short scale mandolin, this stretch isn’t a problem.  When the scale length approaches 2 feet or so (about a guitar’s scale length), the required fret stretch is simply too much for most players.

A bouzouki has this same problem — originally used for Greek folk music, a bouzouki is tuned like an octave mandolin.  This lower tuning makes it ideal for a celtic rhythm instrument — except for the required fret stretch.

Because of this, you often see bouzoukis or octave mandolins tuned differently for celtic music — GDAD.  Chord fretting in this tuning is much easier and the longer scale length (a few inches longer than an octave mandolin) results in deep, long sustaining chords — making a bouzouki a perfect rhythm instrument for celtic music!