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Celtic Paganism has many different expressions and each of these expressions constitute a tradition in itself. It is misleading to simply call oneself Celtic without a further study into what that means. The term “Celtic” spans at least 8 countries.

The name Celt originated with the ancient Greeks, who called the barbarian peoples of central Europe Keltoi. Rather that being a broad cultural genetic ‘race,’ the Celts were a broad cultural-linguistic group. The area where they lived became a constantly changing collection of tribal ‘nations.’ The Celts were never an ‘empire’ ruled by one government.

In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods “A-Maying,” and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health.

Pagan Celtic Spirituality understood that all of existence has a cyclic nature, and that there is a direct continuity between the material world and the otherworld. Druidic teachings, that have come down to us through Welsh tradition, recognized that there is an unseen world that interpenetrates and affects the visible world. Things are just not what they seem.

Today, there are groups who label themselves as Celtic Reconstructionists. They reconstruct rituals, festivals and conventions. They also provide study courses. Our approach is less formal. We hope to encourage deep spiritual understanding that is rooted within nature. We hope to inspire respect for the land, and the protection of our Earth.

A Celtic knot band from MensWeddingRings&Bands rocks a Celtic wedding. Matching Celtic love knot rings are splendid.

There was a point in time when outside of Ireland Celtic jewelry was connected with teenagers and Goths. This style has lost that reputation, and fell back to its correct place in the jewelry world. So what is it that is so important about the Celtic designs?

Celtic jewelry has developed over a period; these include symbols from the Druids, the Christians and also famous Celtic stories of love and loyalty. One of the most noted of these is the Claddagh design. The Claddagh design is often given as an engagement ring.

This is partially traditional and also because of the strong symbolism of this design. The Claddagh design has three elements to it; a heart, hands and a crown. The hands represent closeness, the heart stands for love and the crown stands for commitment. Thus it is one of the hottest options of Celtic engagement rings. There are nevertheless other Celtic designs which are favored as engagement rings.

The Trinity is a commonly seen Celtic knot. This has one or two meanings, the first is the phases of the moon; waxing, fading and full. The 2nd is the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Both these meanings have associations with the continuity of life and love. The Trinity is also drawn with just one movement, it’s a continual line with no beginning and no end. For the stated reasons it is sometimes used in engagement ring designs. The Trinity knot is frequently used to blend the normal styles of engagement rings with the Celtic symbols.

For instance a solitaire diamond could be held to a band with a trinity knot each side of it. Another fasionable engagement ring idea is the triple stone design. The 3 stones represent the past, present and future. These mix perfectly with the look of the trinity and can regularly be found embedded in the 3 bits of the conventional trinity knot design.

Thus the Celtic engagement rings are have now become a well-liked way to blend traditional engagement rings with an extra significance.

Find out more about the history of Claddagh engagement rings and other Celtic engagement rings designs. Celtic jewelry has been thru many various phases.

When it comes to the area of Celtic jewelry, the Celtic Cross is one of the most popular pieces, both for the look and feel of wearing it and for the attempts at understanding exactly what it represents. What follows is a brief description of the cross and the limited knowledge we have regarding its history.

While there is still great discrepancy in the exact history of the Celts, many scholars date the Celtic Cross back to around the 9th Century and the area of Ireland. The earliest forms of the cross have been named the recumbent cross-slab. These versions laid down flat, as opposed to being erected.

Later, a rounded top came into the picture as erected cross-slabs were now standing in an upright position. Whether or not they were lying down or standing erect, some similarities included decorative spirals, key designs, and the interlaced knotwork designs that so many contemporaries associate with Celtic designer jewelry.

What are called erect free standing Celtic Crosses came next. These also became quite elaborate and many different types of stone were used. A wider base was incorporated into this version of the cross and the effect was that of a taller cross as the head of the slab was cleared of rock.

The term “free” standing comes from the fact that the cross was now freed from the rock. In this version, the arms of the cross were extended beyond the inner ring as the inner sections between the rings and arms were designed to be recessed.

It’s important to understand that the above history of the Celtic Cross is only one of many you may run across. Both Catholics and Presbyterians have claimed it as their own while those of Welsh, Irish and Scottish decent have claimed it as their own.

Irish Catholics claim that the circle in the Celtic Cross symbolizes eternity and how God’s love is endless. This interpretation is usually woven into the story of the crucifixion and the mystery surrounding the hope of salvation offered up by Christ through his resurrection.

Then again, you may also hear the account of how the cross was carved from the stones of the Druids and were carved in the form of a cross to hide the fact that they were really phallic symbols. The circle is said to represent the sun that was worshipped by the Druids.

Another legend, based in the Irish history, says that St. Patrick came up with the very first Celtic Cross when he drew a circle that represented the pagan moon goddess over a Latin cross. This version is one that represents the conversion of Druids to Christianity as St. Pete changed some of the old Druid rituals into newer Christian ones.

As one can see, it’s difficult to ascertain the exact history of the Celtic Cross. For many in our modern era, it’s enough to simply enjoy the personal interpretation of the emotional feelings that come with wearing this wonderful type of jewelry.

As it pertains to discovering the definite best Celtic jewelry, we suggest one single source. Peter Stone provides a wide array of designer jewelry that will provide you the emotions you’re looking for from your jewelry collection.

Trying to figure out exactly what Celtic jewelry offers in terms of deep meaning isn’t the easiest thing to do. Indeed, the Celts didn’t leave us any written records with which to come to our conclusions.

What we do know is that the Celts were a tribal group that held nature in high esteem. Therefore, they looked at the shapes of the world and nature as tools for understanding the world in which they lived. The basic Celtic jewelry shapes are crosses, squares, circles and triangles.

In our modern age, aren’t we all still asking for more understanding when it comes to the meaning of our existence and lives? This is why so many folks want to understand the meaning of the jewelry they wear.

Since some of the jewelry from the Celts dates back as far as 2000 B.C., it makes sense that some of these meanings we now attach to this type of jewelry will be different from the meaning given to it by its creators. The fact that our modern view of the world differs from these early people is the chief reason for this.

Although traditionalists may not like this idea, modern Celtic designer jewelry makers may very well create a different meaning to newer symbols and designs than the ancient people would have simply because of this context difference. However, shouldn’t these meanings have just as much validity since there isn’t enough written account of how the ancients Celts would have interpreted these symbols?

Since most Celtic history began being recorded by monks transcribing old sacred texts after 450 A.D., usually in reference to Celtic knotwork, even these accounts leave open room for much interpretation by the modern person who is attempting to determine the meanings of the symbols.

On the by and by, most folks are expressing emotions and individuality that comes from the wearing of their Celtic jewelry. While a scholar may be trying hard to read into the old manuscripts when it comes to differentiating between the various meanings of Celtic symbolism, the average person should feel comfortable with attaching personal meaning to each shape and feeling good while wearing each piece.

Many people feel an attachment to Celtic jewelry because of the mystique that comes from how much we still don’t know. There is something magical in the belief that every Celtic shape holds some sort of secret of life that is just beyond our understanding and comprehension.

Until some great discovery reveals any manuscripts that shed more light on this topic, people will continue creating their personal interpretations. Although a traditional scholar may disagree with this, each person, for now, should be free to hold on to the feelings and emotions that each piece brings out of them as they enjoy wearing this type of jewelry.

Discover one place to obtain the finest Celtic jewelry that will provide you a feeling of pride and joy. At Peter Stone, you’ll encounter a full range of designer jewelry that finds its way into your heart as you experience spiritual power through the experience.

To make any craft project significant you must enjoy the topic thoroughly and understand the historical significance of the pieces you are working on. Celtic jewelry making is no exception, so let’s go through a couple historical facts before we get to the how to portion.

Celtic jewelry making has been known to exist since the first century B.C. The Celts strongly believed in reincarnation and so these influences have been incorporated into their jewelry making. Celtic symbolism is all about the immortal as well as the priceless gift to human civilization.

For example:

The Latin Triquetra: also means “three-cornered” and happens to be a symbol for the Holy Trinity.

The greek symbol Triskelion: which means “three-legged.” If you look closely, the knots are made to look like three legs running. It has been known to symbolize man’s progress.

The five fold pattern represented balancing of 4 aspects of particular subjects. For instance stations, you had druids, farmers, bards, and soldiers. The fifth fold, which was the area of intersection of all the main 4 folds, represented nobility.

The Celts were also famous for their usage of crosses in their jewelry. They believed that the cross represented the link between a physical existence and a spiritual one.

Typical Celtic designs are made up of the complex and abstract, together with a couple of interlaced spirals, crescents and knots. To begin making Celtic Jewelry, it is best to start practicing with copper wires or bronze.

Check out sample designs and patterns available for Celtic jewelry making and choose which among them you would like to follow. It is good to start with the simpler ones and look for designs that have personal meaning to you. This way, you are keeping the tradition of Celtic jewelry making.

Another vital tool is using graph paper to sketch out your patterns. Celtic jewelry making requires symmetry and if you are not precise enough you aren’t going to make anything look decent.

Make sure you pick the right thickness of wire for your project, thin wire for rings and bracelets and thicker for the brooches.

Now, when you do make your cuts make sure you leave enough room for adjustments or you will have to throw out the wire if it’s too short.

What you are going to need after you have your cut wire are chain nose pliers and round nose pliers. The round nose pliers are useful for smaller loops while the chain nose pliers are great for larger loops

You can finish Celtic jewelry making with the use of metal clasps, or you can also bend the wire found at each end, forming a hook. Another way to do this is by forming a closure that is hook and eye by bending the wire in one end and looping it to the other end.

Learn about mens celtic jewelry over at fine celtic jewelry.