First Appearances
The Celtic knot tattoo made its first appearance circa 450 AD. Because the Celts were not ones to have a written record, the meaning behind a Celtic knot tattoo is pretty vague. They have been a constant throughout history and many have tried to infer some basic significance regarding the design.
These tattoo’s can be referred to as an endless knot or the mystical knot. This points to its meaning in a spiritual or esoteric sense as it can symbolize endings or beginnings. The tattoo is so appealing to us because it reminds us of our primordial self and our quest to understand the cycles of life in both the otherworldly realms and our physical self.
It is Not Just About the Mystical
Those that sport a this type of design tattoo don’t always assign a spiritual meaning to it. It can also refer to a life cycle that is never interrupted. It can also be used as a magical charm to ward off setbacks, sickness or anything else that can interfere with a happy and peaceful life. Celtic knots are not just found in body art, but in jewelry, home décor and clothing as well.
In the past, when a person received a gift that was adorned with a Celtic knot, it meant that the gift giver was wishing the recipient a life of luck, longevity, and prosperity in any endeavor they may follow.
The Celtic Trinity Knot
The Celtic trinity knot is often referred to as the Triquetra. From the Latin, Triquetra means three cornered and is one of the most common of the Celtic tattoos. There are many interpretations when it comes to this ancient knot and not all agree on its true meaning.
The one thing all agree on is that it is based on a culmination of 3 parts. For Christians this often refers to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost or Spirit. For those with a more Wiccan or pagan persuasion it can stand for three of the powers of the feminine; the Maiden, the Crone and the Mother. New age thinkers can assign it to mean spirit, body and mind.
All of these varied interpretations show us that the meaning of the Celtic knot tattoo is not something that is set solidly in stone. Without a written history, it leaves plenty of room for personal interpretations.
If you are seeking to ink a Celtic knot tattoo on your body, there are many meanings you may assign to this magical symbol for what is most important in your life and in your personal beliefs. No matter how you look at it, this tattoo is one that will be forever treasured and never regretted.
