Celtic Tattoos - Tattoo Pictures

The Tree was a central part of early Celtic spirituality. To the Celts, the tree was a source of basic sustenance - a bearer of food, a provider of shelter and fuel for cooking and warmth. Trees were always considered to be a connection to the world of the spirits and the ancestors, living entities, and doorways into other worlds, thus have always had a vital role in Celtic myths and folklore.

The most sacred tree of all was the Oak tree, which represents the center of the world.

The Celtic or Ionic cross has it’s roots in a pre-Christian Solar cross (Sun Cross). There are some examples of the Celtic cross that date back as far as 5000 years BCE. The origins of the Celtic Cross are not known, but it is known that it was an early symbol of the god Taranis ( Celtic god of thunder who used this wheel to generate lightning. As the wheel rotates on the cosmic axis, it generates sparks as it spins and we see these sparks as lightning. The hub of the wheel represents the Sun or the centre of the cosmos and there are usually more than four spokes to give the wheel strength. So Taranis symbol is neither a cross nor represents the Sun, but some people refer to this as a Sun Cross).

Celtic dragons are the symbol of ultimate power and strength. No symbol is more powerful than dragons in Celtic culture. They are valued so much that the Celtic word for “chief” is Pendragon.The word “dragon” is derived from the Greek word meaning “to see clearly”. Celts believed dragons have the gift of vision, wisdom, and prophecy. They were always considered the guardians of all knowledge and wisdom. Celtic art often shows dragons swallowing their tails in a never ending circle ( symbol of eternal life )

The Celtic dragons were considered and respected as gods. It is believed that dragons bring Earthly and Heavenly forces together. Celts believed dragons guarded the gate to both the Heavens and the Underworld.

As guardian spirits of and protectors of the Earth and all living things, Celtic dragons are arguably the most powerful of all the Celtic symbols.

The Shamrock or clover lief is one of the oldest Celtic symbols. To the Druids clover lief symbolized the three dominions of earth, sky, and sea, the ages of man, and the phases of the moon.

In Celtic folklore, the Shamrock was always considered for a charm against evil.

The Celtic horse can be considered a representation of fertility, sexuality, sacred kingship, and the journey to and from the Otherworld intimately tied to the life cycle of death and rebirth, the Land, and the Goddess Sovereignty.

The triskelion or triquetra “three-cornered” is a tripartate symbol composed of three interlocked vesica pisces (Jesus fish), marking the intersection of three circles. It is most commonly a symbol of the Holy Trinity (Father, son, Holy spirit) used by the Celtic Christian Church. The symbol predates Christianity and was likely a Celtic symbol of the Goddess. In north is considered for a symbol of the god Odin.

Also the triqueta symbolizes the triple aspected goddess as maid, mother, and crone.

It is also considered to represnt the triplicities of mind, body, and soul.

Check out our UV Tattoo Gallery or some more Celtic Tattoos or Tattoo Designs

Custom Search