Posts Tagged ‘polynesian tattoos’

Celtic Tattoos Knots

The history of Celtic Tattoos is quite singular. As a matter of facts, those symbols that we see so often tattooed on people, come from the Celtic tradition but have not always been used as tattoo designs. Celtic people have not had such a long tattoo tradition like, for instance, Japanese, Chinese or Polynesian tattoos.

Nonetheless those symbols seem to be made for being translated into wonderful tattoo designs.

Not many people can really say they know something about Celtic traditions and culture. However Celtic tattoos seem to be much more widespread than cultural knowledge. This kind of tattoo design is unique. Celtic tattoos can be found in many different shapes and different colors, but they always fascinate people for their beauty and their powerful symbolism.

Such tattoos usually consist in geometrical shapes of different complexity. The more complex the tattoo the more you will have to pay for it. But it is usually well paid money.

The history and heritage of the Celtic people goes back thousands of years. Celtic people have always been great craftsmen. They were able to work iron as nobody else in Europe and realize complex and fine design for their weapons.

The most popular Celtic symbol used as Tattoo designs are the Celtic knot, the ringed cross and the triple spiral.

The Celtic cross is a synthesis, or better said a mixture of ancient mystical beliefs with later Christian faith. The legend says that this cross was introduced by Saint Patrick in the attempt of converting pagan Irish people to Christianity. The ring would symbolize the former sun's god of previous pagan religions, connecting those beliefs with the new one.

Most Celtic artwork starts with a common knot design. These consist of interlaced lines that cross over one another repeatedly. These knots' main characteristic is that they do not have either a start or an end. They are simply a perpetual knot that goes on eternally symbolizing the interconnection between the spiritual and the physical realms of life. The Celtic knot represents infinity in a way similar to the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol.

Another fascinating symbol used in Celtic tattoo art is the triple spiral or triskele or triskelion. This symbol evokes the Celtic belief in the sacrality of the number three, or trinity.

In a time when tribal tattoos are the most sought for, the most beloved by tattoo lovers from all over the world, Celtic tattoos and the Celtic culture in general represent a huge source of inspiration.