Celtic Jewellery

CELTIC DESIGNS & SYMBOLS GUIDE

Formal Name	Alternative Names	Irish Name (Gaeilge)	Symbolic Meaning (Modern Interpretation)	Historical & Cultural Context	Image Reference
Triskelion	Triskele /  Triple Spiral	An Thríbhís	Life, death, rebirth; past, present, future; motion and cycles of existence	One of the oldest known Celtic-inspired symbols, found at Newgrange and later adopted into Celtic art	Triskelion symbol / triple spiral
Celtic Cross	High Cross	Crois Cheilteach	Faith, eternity, unity of spiritual and earthly worlds	Early medieval Irish origin; combines Christian cross with pre-Christian sun circle symbolism	Celtic high cross stone
Celtic Labyrinth	Seven-Circuit Labyrinth	Labyrinth Cheilteach	Reflection, journey, self-discovery	More common in modern Celtic-inspired design than confirmed ancient Celtic archaeology	Celtic labyrinth pattern
Celtic Tree of Life	Crann Bethadh	Crann na Beatha	Strength, balance, harmony, interconnectedness of all life	Found in Insular Celtic art; trees, especially oak, held sacred significance	Celtic tree of life design
Triquetra	Trinity Knot	Triantán na Tríonóide	Eternity; unity of three forces (life-death-rebirth, mind-body-spirit, earth-sea-sky)	Appears in Insular manuscripts such as the Book of Kells	Trinity knot / triquetra
Dara Knot	Oak Knot	Nód Dair	Strength, resilience, wisdom, endurance	Inspired by the oak tree, considered sacred in Celtic tradition	Celtic oak knot
Icovellavna	Motherhood Knot	Nód Máithreachais (interpretive)	Maternal bond, nurturing, protection, connection between mother and child	Modern interpretation with limited historical documentation; used in contemporary Celtic jewellery design	Celtic motherhood knot
Celtic Family Knot	Unity Knot	Nód Teaghlaigh	Family unity, ancestry, generational connection	Modern symbolic interpretation based on Celtic knot principles	Celtic family knot
Sailor’s Knot	Lover’s Knot	Nód Mairnéalaigh	Love, loyalty, unbreakable bond	Maritime knot tradition later adopted into Celtic-inspired symbolism	Celtic sailor’s knot
Celtic Love Knot	Endless Love Knot	Nód Grá Cheilteach	Eternal love and commitment	Modern jewellery interpretation inspired by Celtic knotwork design principles	Celtic love knot
Serch Bythol	—	Serch Bythol	“Everlasting Love”	Modern Welsh-inspired Celtic design formed from interwoven knot forms	Serch Bythol symbol