| The ancient Celts had no written word, nor did | | | | are for the most, agreed on by scholars. |
| they need it. Instead they symbolized their world | | | | Common Family Symbols |
| in ways that were easily understood by all. Apart | | | | The most common symbols used to indicate |
| from symbolizing relationships, they represented | | | | family are those for brothers, sisters, father and |
| the things in the world around them in their | | | | daughter relationships and the Celtic symbol |
| symbols too. However more personal relationships | | | | motherhood. Apart from indicating the relationship |
| within tribes were symbolized by means of | | | | many of these symbols were used as a way to |
| designs or shapes which is today considered a | | | | worship or revere these figures. |
| form of artwork. | | | | While many symbols were portrayed accurately, |
| The Celts used symbols to communicate to each | | | | for instance animal figures of the Sun Cross, |
| other particular meanings, but also used them to | | | | family symbols were depicted by means of |
| illustrate their spirituality or as a means of | | | | shapes and designs, swirls and knot work. |
| projecting an image to another. Celtic warriors | | | | Motherhood symbol |
| decorated their bodies in battle with symbols they | | | | A mother's love was symbolized by the triquestra |
| deemed most appropriate individually, yet their | | | | - two hearts which are intertwined with one |
| body art had a twofold reasoning behind it. | | | | unbroken line. . |
| The first reasoning was personal while the second | | | | Celtic symbol brother |
| was meant to instil fear in their enemies. For | | | | Brotherhood was symbolized by an arrow which |
| instance, warriors might decorate their bodies with | | | | was painted on a warrior's body. |
| a particular animal that they hoped to gain the | | | | Celtic symbol sisters |
| powers of in battle. They might also use symbols | | | | Sisterhood was symbolized by the triskele or the |
| that indicated brotherhood, a bond that existed | | | | trinity (the number 3). This is usually shown in |
| between each warrior on the battlefield. Many | | | | knot work. |
| symbols used called on the Gods and Goddesses | | | | Celtic Life |
| to bestow protection, power and courage. | | | | Celtic clans were in essence an extended family, |
| Family Symbols | | | | they shared a very strong bond with other clans |
| Celts belonged to different clans or tribes and | | | | or tribes yet each kept their own customs, |
| used symbols to show this. They were a people | | | | traditions and beliefs. Not all members of the clan |
| who possessed superior craftsmanship and were | | | | were equal though and each had held their own |
| able to capture their symbols in delicate pieces of | | | | status and purpose. At the center of a tribe was |
| jewelry. Apart from warriors who painted or | | | | the family unit which was held in high esteem. |
| tattooed symbols onto their bodies, the Celts also | | | | Children were not reared by their own parents; |
| etched and sculpted their symbols in stone or | | | | instead they were reared by foster parents who |
| wood. | | | | were often the brother of the birth mother. |
| These symbols were either meant to depict or | | | | During pagan times the Druids played an |
| express the connection of families or clan status | | | | important role in Celtic life. They acted as |
| yet were also meant to depict the relationships | | | | advisors, teachers and healers and as |
| within a family unit. Symbols also paid homage to | | | | ambassadors in time of war. The Druids held the |
| their interconnectedness with nature, the universe, | | | | status of Priests and as such were responsible for |
| their Gods and Goddesses too. | | | | the passing of knowledge. They led a very |
| What is known and understood regarding these | | | | spiritual existence and it is to the Druids that |
| personal symbols is sketchy yet their meanings | | | | many symbols owe their existence. |