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TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - CELTIC KNOT TATTOOS
Tattoo Symbol Index -
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Tattoo designs - C >>
Celtic Knots
 Celtic
Knot Tattoo Design Meanings - Celtic knot designs while at first
and foremost decorative on the surface, are at their roots very
culturally significant and deeply symbolic. And so too can be Celtic
tattoo designs.
Celtic
tattoo designs are primarily a genre of complex interwoven lines
representing knots, mazes, spirals and other figures. Celtic animal
figures are zoomorphic or stylized renderings of animals that were
used for carvings, in jewelry and wood, stonework and manuscript
illustrations. Many images used by tattoo artists today are derived
from the famous Irish Book of Kells.
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The famous Book of Kells is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by
Irish Monks around AD 800. It is one of the most lavishly
illuminated manuscripts to survive from that period. The name "Book of Kells" is derived from the Abbey of Kells,
located in Kells, County Meath in
Ireland, where it was kept for much of the mediaeval period. |
 There are strong Norse design influences in Celtic knot work, and
there is some debate as to the exact origin. Clearly there were
exchanges between cultures through both trade and conquest. The
complexity of Celtic design is thought to mimic or echo the
complexity of nature, the use of Celtic knots in spirals and mazes,
the intricate interweaving showing no beginning and no end,
reflective of the cycles of the seasons and of life.
Get inspired by some really great images and photos in our Celtic Inspiration Gallery
See also: Scottish Clan Tattoo Index
Choose your own Celtic Tattoo and Design right here
Tattoo designs - C >>
Celtic Knots
Tattoo Symbol Index -
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C
D
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G
H
I
J
K
L
M
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P
Q
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