Celtic Symbols

The dragon is often thought of as a Celtic symbol, though it came to Celtic lands relatively late. Dragons, of course, are important mythic symbols in China and other Asian lands. In the West, they tend to have a darker image, often associated with evil.

Today Celtic dragons are best known as symbols of Wales. The red dragon of originally represented Wales, who was fighting the white dragon, which represented the Saxons.

When you look at ancient Celtic art, however, you don’t find dragons. These magical creatures were probably introduced to the British Isles by the roaming Vikings. By the Middle Ages, dragons were a symbol used in many European lands, including Ireland, where they can be found in the Book of Kells.

The dragon is still a sort of ambiguous symbol, admired in some ways but feared as a destroyer. Tolkien, who based his sagas at least partly on Celtic legends, cast his dragons as villains, as in the Hobbit. It is likely that the Christian influence, which associates reptiles in general with evil (going back to the Garden of Eden), has made Europeans suspicious of dragons.

In recent years, however, dragon lore has been undergoing a kind of renaissance, with dragon tattoos, sculptures, role playing games, fantasy novels and so on capturing the imagination of people everywhere. Dragons have also, along with faeries, been recast as benevolent protectors in certain neo-Pagan circles (which is closer to how they have long been seen in the East). Dragons often appear in Celtic tattoos, jewelry, t-shirts and other decorations.

It seems that the dragon, whether as a Celtic symbol, a relic of medieval days, or a Far Eastern transplant has undergone a kind of rehabilitation and is increasingly admired for its beauty and courage, as well as its ability to spark our imaginations.

The Book of Kells is an Irish manuscript from around 800, written in Latin and elaborately illustrated with religious and mythical art. It was written by monks and is a translation of the four Gospels of the New Testament along with commentary.

Although the Book of Kells is primarily a Christian religious book, it is also of interest to many people as a source of Celtic artwork. It has many illustrations of humans, mythic beasts (known as zoomorphic images) as well as many great examples of Celtic knotwork.

The Book of Kells is composed of four volumes, and the original manuscript is presently on display at Trinity College in Dublin.

The Book of Kells is an Irish manuscript from around 800, written in Latin and elaborately illustrated with religious and mythical art. It was written by monks and is a translation of the four Gospels of the New Testament along with commentary.

Although the Book of Kells is primarily a Christian religious book, it is also of interest to many people as a source of Celtic artwork. It has many illustrations of humans, mythic beasts (known as zoomorphic images) as well as many great examples of Celtic knotwork.

The Book of Kells is composed of four volumes, and the original manuscript is presently on display at Trinity College in Dublin.

Celtic knots are probably the best known of Celtic symbols. They are attractive symbols in themselves, and are often used today as borders and decorations on other works of art or design. They are also very popular today in tattoos, as well as jewelry.

The Celtic knot is a symbol of infinity, and of the many connections that exist between all things. One possible analogy in the world of symbolism would be to the magic carpet, as in Persia and other places where intricate carpets were (and still are woven. The weaving of a carpet has been used to symbolize layers of reality, and the magic or flying carpet could mean many things, such as astral or interdimensional travel.

Can you draw a Celtic knot? It is no simple matter for most people. The bad news is that I cannot teach you this; I have trouble drawing stick figures in fact. The good news is that this cool little video shows someone demonstrating the technique to drawing a Celtic knot in under 3 minutes! She also discusses the history of the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript that contains many Celtic knots and other beautiful designs.