Celtic symbols, arts and culture
Posts tagged Look
Look At Me (part 1) & The Previous Lives – Gian Castello & Celtic Legends at Words & Harps Day 2011
Sep 8th
included with the story here here is some traditional style music composed by Phil Cunningham and an Irish traditional tune that I’m sure most of you know and can name 
All this from their “Taliesin” CD This was performed in our studio theatre at Carrowcrory Cottage during our Words And Harps Day on June 25th 2011, For more info on our annual event near Ballinafad, Co. Sligo, Ireland wordsandharpsday.com
Chopper Tattoos – If you are looking for high quality tattoo designs, then look no further.
Apr 28th
bit.ly If you are looking for high quality tattoo designs, then look no further. Chopper-Tattoo provides you with a growing database with thousands of ideas. Choose from Arm Band Tattoos, Belly Button Tattoos, Butterfly Tattoos, Cartoon Tattoos, Cat Tattoos, Celtic Tattoos, Chinese Tattoos,…
Ondine: Ancient Celtic Myth in Modern Ireland
Nov 14th
Ondine is an unusual film that uses Celtic mythology as a background theme for a low key romantic tale. Director Neil Jordan, best known for The Crying Game, sets this movie in modern day Ireland, but in many ways there’s an old fashioned, even ancient ambiance to it. Of course, there are cars and cell phones, but the story centers on Syracuse, a Fisherman (Colin Farrell) living in a small village who pulls a woman (Alicja Bachleda) out of the water, and this theme could have been taken from a folk tale (Irish or otherwise) that dates back centuries.
The woman has no apparent memory and calls herself Ondine (which is a word for a kind of water nymph), and she may or may not be a supernatural creature. Like another film from 1995, The Secret of Roan Inish, this one deals with the legend of selkies, half woman-half seal creatures that are traditional to Celtic folklore. However, Ondine is quite original and deals with the subject in its own way.
Syracuse has a young daughter (Alison Barry) who is mostly confined to a wheelchair due to a kidney ailment, and has a contentious relationship with his ex-wife, which complicates his situation when he find Ondine. As you might expect, Syracuse and Ondine develop a relationship of sorts, but, unlike the way such a theme would be handled in a typical Hollywood movie, the characters are all quite complex and the story seems more interested in exploring archetypal themes than conforming to a formula plot.
Ondine is a movie that fans of indie movies, Celtic myth and compelling but quiet tales will enjoy. Netflix, somewhat incorrectly, categorizes this film as sci fi/fantasy. It remains uncertain for much of the movie whether or not Ondine is actually a selkie, but apart from this, if you’re looking for a movie with special effects or bizarre shapeshifting creatures, this isn’t it. If you have to put Ondine in a category, it would be an independent romantic drama.
Taking A Look At Celtic Wedding Rings
Sep 18th
Irish tradition states that a marriage is a union of love, honor and friendship and the bonds are one of the greatest things you can find. Celtic wedding rings can be a fantastic choice for those that it is part of their heritage or want to include the rich meanings as part of their vows to one another.
One of the things you do need to consider is the metal it is made from. You can find it in white or yellow gold, Sterling silver and platinum. One of the more popular choices is the two tone ring, where the base color is white gold and is accented by yellow, which gives the ring a striking appearance.
The Claddagh is one of the best known Celtic love symbols, and it can be included as part of your wedding band. The meaning behind it is friendship, love and destiny and they are cast with this design along the band instead of having it shaped as the ring itself. They can come in many widths to accommodate your own taste level and can be a unique way to express your marriage.
Irish language bands are also a popular choice, and these bands have phrases of love and devotion engraved or cast around the band in Gaelic. Similar to posey rings, they can be a great expression of love you wish to share that has a special meaning just between the two of you.
Another type of band is the knot work bands. This can include the older trinity knots or the more modern love knots. They can be engraved or cast around the ring and offer a meaning of never ending love as well as a pleasing look to a ring you will wear for many years.
Stones are not always a part of the ring, but you can have them included if you wish. Casting of the design will allow it to last far longer then an engraving, but the cost of that is also higher. There are many ways that you can make the rings special to just your own wedding and you can have a ring that you will cherish for many years.
Celtic wedding rings can give you a way to celebrate your union that has a long and rich history associated with it. It is an ultimate expression of love and they rings can be very beautiful and are meant to last a lifetime.
Paul Easton is working with Daniel Joines the owner of Polished Diamonds. For High Quality Round Engagement Rings at 1/2 retail shop prices available at: http://www.RoundEngagementrings.org/ – The Diamond Ring Specialist
Oak Interior Doors make your home look rich and high class
Sep 9th
Oak and oak woods have from times immemorial enriched stories, realities, forests, homes, and home interiors. Oak wood is hardy, with a high level of insect and fungi-resisting ability, and high tannin content. The bark of different varieties of oak is used variously in making furniture, wine barrels, cork, and oak interior doors.
Besides its strength, and resistance to sundry wood borer insects, oak has got rich and beautiful grain markings that make it aesthetically appealing to users. This aesthetic appeal is what makes oak interior doors the popular choice of lots of people. To get vivid grain markings, oak has to be sawn in a direction at right angles, or vertical, to the direction of the tree’s growth rings. Any wood thus sawn is known as quarter-sawn wood. Oak wood thus sawn will have intricate grain markings and a rich finish and this is what makes oak most suited for oak interior doors.
Oak has been mythologically and historically popular. Long before oak interior doors became a fashion stamp, oak tree has been considered the tree of doors according to Celtic mythology. There have also been individual oak trees that are historically important. One example is the Royal Oak where King Charles II of England had hidden in the 17th century during the Battle of Worcester.
The popular appeal of oak interior doors has been evident from the fact that they have been used in politically and historically important buildings. One classic instance of its usage is in the British House of Commons. The debating chamber of this parliamentary building has oak paneled interior doors.
Oak interior doors may be solid wood or wood veneer, both of which alike give the home a classy look. And there are choices between raised panel patterns, and flat panel patterns, raised and fielded panels, within each of which there are choices in the number of panels available, ranging from one to eight or even more. Besides the variation in panel numbers, there are arched panels, eyebrow shaped panels, classic eyebrows etc, which add to the elegance of the oak interior doors.
Glazed panels enhance the richness and perfection of oak interior doors as light streaks in through these doors. Glass panes may be beveled glass or frosted glass. Glazed oak interior doors are the perfect choice for all rooms where light is the primary concern and privacy only the secondary concern. This means that they are good for all interior doors others than bedroom doors.
Rustic oak interior doors give the home elegance with its rustic look; the same way antiques provide an artistic perfection to modern living rooms. Rustic interior doors may be ledged and braced, with or without frame. In all types of interior doors, pre-finished standard sizes are available, even though sizes and panel numbers can be changed in many instances based on customer request. Similarly, pre-glazed ones as well as custom glass finishes are available in glazed oak interior doors.
Interior doors are variously available in white oak, red oak, or quarter-sawn red oak, and each of these can be stained light, medium, or dark, or can have a clear finish. All of these in their own way give the perfect finish to the interior. Your choice of oak interior doors will depend on the overall style of the house, the interior decoration patterns, privacy preferences and suitability to the budget.
Please visit Savoy Timber – http://www.savoydoors.co.uk/ – for a vast range of oak interior doors in different varieties of wood and design styles. Call or contact us now
I am a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP,MCSD, MCAD.Net,MCSD.Net, MCP-.Net 2.0). I have been conducting Training and Certification Guidance for Microsoft Certifications for the past 8 years. I also own and manage a Web Design and Development Company and a SEO/SEM Company. I also like to write Articles on various subjects.
A Look At The Music Of Scotland
Nov 27th
The unique music of Scotland is easily recognized around the world and has remained a vibrant force to this day while many forms of traditional music worldwide have experienced a loss of popularity to pop music. Even with emigration and the influx of music imported from the rest of Europe and the United States, the music of Scotland has been able to keep the majority of its traditional structure and has even influenced many other forms of music.
Traditional Scottish music even while influential to and being influenced by both Irish and English traditional music is still an art form unto itself and in spite of the increasing popularity of varied international pop music styles it remains a vital and everlasting Scottish tradition. There are numerous Scottish record labels and music festivals as well as Scottish music magazines.
Although many people in the world think immediately of bagpipes when thinking about Scottish music, bagpipes are not unique or indigenous to Scotland. Don’t get me wrong, bagpipes are a very important part of Scottish music tradition but they were actually imported into Scotland around the 15th century from other areas in Europe where they are still played.
The pìob mór, or Great Highland Bagpipe, is the most distinctively Scottish form of the instrument; it was created for clan pipers to be used for various, often military or marching, purposes. Piping clans included the MacArthurs, MacDonalds, McKays and, especially, the MacCrimmons, who were hereditary pipers to the Clan MacLeod.
In modern times bagpipes have even found there way into many songs in pop music with rockers like Rod Stewart who was extremely popular in the late 1970′s and 80′s. He used bagpipes in many of his popular songs. Another more recent artist whose Celtic music has been well received is Enya.
If you haven’t explored this beautiful music form I urge you to do so. Scottish music and in particular the Celtic Music of Enya can be very soothing and stress relieving.
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For Scottish gifts and music go to http://www.scottishmoors.com
A Look at the Various Styles of Celtic Artwork
Sep 11th
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.
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Artworks for Years. For More Information on Celtic Artwork, Visit His Site at CELTIC ARTWORKI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On Celtic Artwork At My Blog here
