Celtic Tattoos Meanings

Celtic tattoos have become very popular over the last few years. This is due to the simultaneous increase in the popularity of tattoos in general and a growing fascination with Celtic art and culture in general. Celtic, of course, refers to anything that originates from lands that speak (or originally spoke) Celtic languages, which are Irish, Scots, Welsh, Breton, Cornish and Manx. Celtic most commonly refers to the cultures of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Today, aside from artwork and tattoos, there is a growing interest in Celtic music, dance and languages.

The recent "tattoo phenomenon" we are seeing is quite diverse, with people choosing tattoos of every conceivable kind. However, there is a definite interest in tribal, shamanistic and spiritually symbolic designs. Many Celtic designs fit into one or more of these categories. There are several basic Celtic symbols that are quite striking and powerful by themselves, but which also work very well as the framework for almost any kind of design.

Celtic knotwork is probably the best known and most fundamental element of traditional Celtic art. The knot can be seen as a symbol of infinity, similar to the infinity symbol (which looks like a sideways number eight), sometimes called the lemniscate. The knot can also symbolize the journey through life, the spiritual journey and the interconnectedness of all things. Celtic knots are often incorporated into images such as Celtic crosses and zoomorphic images (involving animals, either real or mythic). Celtic knotwork has become extremely popular in tattoos. This is understandable, as knotwork can be expressed in a myriad of ways and made more striking by endless color combinations.

Spirals are also common in traditional Celtic art, as well as in contemporary tattoo designs. Spirals are also symbols of eternity, and suggest the movements of the cosmos, such as the planets around the sun or particles around the nucleus of an atom. Spirals are truly ancient symbols, which predate even the known history of the Celts. Spiral designs can be found on megaliths such as the one in Newgrange in Ireland. They are also found in the sacred artwork of many other cultures, such as the Aborigines of Australia. Interestingly enough, spirals are also common in crop circles, those mysterious patterns which appear in fields around the British Isles.

One interesting symbol that is found in Celtic, as well as other ancient cultures is the triskele (the word comes from the Greek, meaning "three-legged"). This symbol, which is a kind of triple spiral, was especially significant in the Celtic lands of Brittany and the Isle of Man. The number three has been important to many cultures. There is, of course, the Trinity of Christianity. Before that, there was the Triple Goddess. The triskele is not one of the more commonly used Celtic symbols today, but it is sometimes used in contemporary Celtic art, including tattoos.

A good old source for Celtic patterns is the Book of Kells. The patterns in this book include zoomorphic images, which are incorporated into the Christian doctrine of the book's creators. For example, it portrays the four evangelists as animals, a form of symbolism which also found its way into many tarot decks. Zoomorphic patterns actually predate the Christian era in Celtic lands. These patterns, which may include dragons or serpents, various kinds of birds, fish and sea creatures or any other kind of animal, are often incorporated into tattoos, especially utilizing a knotwork pattern.

Some people get Celtic style tattoos because their heritage is from one or more of the Celtic nations. However, today people get tattoos that do not necessarily represent their own ethnic origin. For example, tattoo aficionados are rediscovering the ancient tribal designs of the Polynesian cultures (some of the earliest peoples to use tattoos). Similarly, many people are drawn to the beauty and mystical power contained in Celtic symbols. These designs are also very adaptable; you can use Celtic knots as a basis for almost any kind of image you want.

It is likely that as long as tattoos remain popular (and there is no sign that this is a short-lived trend), Celtic artwork and symbols will play a significant role in this exciting art.

Explore the diverse and exciting realm of Celtic Symbols -including arts, languages music and Celtic Tattoos.