Blog posts of '2015' 'February'

A Celtic cross differs from a traditional cross in that it has a ring around the intersection. It is a major symbol of Celtic paganism, Christianity and art. (Celtic usually refers to the peoples and the descendants of groups such as the Irish, Scottish, or Welch.) Although you may see it shown otherwise, the Celtic cross is distinguishable by the fact that thearms of the cross are enclosed by the circle. In the 7th century, Irish Monks erected free standing Celtic crosses with ornate designs and runes over regions of Ireland and Great Britain. These crosses are called "high crosses". Today, Celtic crosses are popular in jewelry, t-shirts and, of course, tattoos. 

The complexity of the design of the Celtic cross is thought to parallel the complexity of nature. The cross represents the four directionals (North, South, East, and West) or the fourelements (Air, Earth, Water, and Fire). The circle represents eternity and endlessness of God's love. The intersection of the cross implies the meeting of Heaven and Earth. The place where the cross intersects within the circle is thought to suggest a place where the general rules of time and space do not apply. It invites communication between this world and the next. 

Although the Celtic cross is a symbol of both paganism and Christianity, it has also been adopted by some neo Nazi groups as their logo because of its ancient associations withthe Aryan peoples. However those designs are usually simplified geometric representations of the Celtic cross.

Celtic cross tattoos are often worn because of the wearer's ethic background such as those with Irish, Welsh or Scottish backgrounds. They can also denote the wearer's religiousbeliefs as well. You may also find Celtic crosses (or simplified versions of them) tattooed on the skin of skinhead, neo-Nazis or white supremacists.

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Celtic knot tattoos are extremely popular for many reasons. The knot designs, which have no beginning and no end, date back to artwork, jewelry and armor that the Celts (a group of Europeans that ultimately became the Scots, the Irish and the Welsh) used to symbolize a variety of things and create an extremely unique and beautiful art design. Today, Celtic knot tattoos, just like the Celtic knots themselves, can symbolize many different things to many different people. One of the reasons that Celtic knot tattoo designs are so popular is that they are extremely customizable. Just about any tattoo design can be turned into a Celtic knot tattoo design, thereby keeping the personal symbolism of the tattoo design while also incorporating some of the more traditional symbolic elements of Celtic tattoo designs. 

One of the most common reasons that people get Celtic knot tattoos is to celebrate their heritage. There are certain flower tattoos and plant tattoos that indicate various lineages in Celtic knot tattoo design. For example, a daffodil tattoo or a leek tattoo that incorporates a Celtic knot tattoo design indicates Welsh heritage. Also commonly used to indicate Welsh heritage is a Celtic knot tattoo design armband overlaid with the profile of a red dragon. This tattoo design is particularly striking and very striking on the bicep or calf. If you are Irish, then a shamrock tattoo that has been altered to also be a Celtic knot tattoo is a great option to celebrate your Irish heritage. Many historians believe that the Irish ultimately created the commonly known Celtic knot work that most people use in Celtic knot tattoos today, so this may be the most authentic way to express your heritage of all. Finally, Scottish heritage can be indicated by a thistle tattoo. Usually, thistle tattoos that incorporate Celtic knot tattoos do not actually make the thistle tattoo design out of a Celtic knot, as you might do with the shamrock tattoo, but instead create a Celtic knot tattoo design in another shape, such as an armband tattoo, a circle tattoo or a cross tattoo, then interweave the botanical elements in this case, the thistle tattoos among the Celtic knot tattoo.

Even if you are not of Celtic descent, you can enjoy your own personal interpretation of a Celtic knot tattoo. Celtic knots are highly symbolic of a variety of common values that inspire people to get tattoos, such as love, spirituality, strength and brotherhood. Unlike many culturally inspired tattoos, there is no Celtic knot tattoo for a given trait. For example, you cannot get the Celtic knot tattoo that means strength the same way that you can get a Chinese symbol tattoo that means strength. Celtic knot tattoos are far more individualize than this, which makes them ideal for a custom tattoo story. However, any Celtic knot is symbolic of eternal love, because the knots have no beginning and no end, strength and brotherhood, because when woven together, the individual strands have great strength and resilience, and life and nature, because as the Celtic knot increases in size and complexity, it becomes clear that all of the strands are interwoven in a beautiful and predetermined pattern that makes a wonderful whole. By incorporating Celtic knot tattoos into your tattoo design, you can incorporate your personal take on Celtic knot symbolism while keeping your tattoo entirely unique and personal to you. 

While Celtic knot tattoos are largely symbolic on a deeply personal level, there are some Celtic knot tattoo designs that are well known in popular culture and that do have some fairly traditional symbolic indications. One of these designs is the triquetra tattoo, or the trinity knot tattoo. This knot, which, like all Celtic knot tattoos, has no beginning and no end, is structured to have three distinct parts that all stem from a central point. This Celtic knot tattoo is used by Christians to indicate the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. However, it has existed since the time before Christianity, and was used by the ancients to indicate harmony between mind, body and spirit. Another popular Celtic knot tattoo is the eternity knot tattoo or the lovers knot tattoo. This tattoo design of two constant, interlocking loops that cannot be separated or even shown to have separate starting points symbolizes, appropriately, the joining of two lives. As a result, the eternity knot is often used in Celtic wedding rings, and is a perfect complement to any romantic or love inspired tattoo design. People often get eternity knot tattoos with rose tattoos interwoven in the design to symbolize their love for a significant other.

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Celtic knots are a type of knot that is usually endless or the representation of those knots for decorative purposes. Knot patterns are common in many of the world's societies for decoration or to tell a story. They began to show up in Celtic art prior to Christian influence but were later integrated in Christian religious art and architecture. 

Celtic tattoos are characterized by interwoven lines representing knots, mazes, spirals and other figures. The distinguishing feature of Celtic knots is that they never end or begin; representing the way the cycle of life is self repeating. Many of the Celtic knot designs tattoo artist used today are derived from the famous Book of Kells. The Book of Kells (also known as the Book of Columba) is a famous manuscript of calligraphy and illustrations, transcribed by Monks in 800 AD. It is widely regarded as Ireland's most prized national treasure. 

Celtic knots tattoos are popular with those whose ethnic backgrounds include Irish, Scottish or Welch ancestry. They are also found on people who want to show their religious beliefs, whether traditional Celtic pagan or Christian.

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While the fruit of the cherry tree is revered all over the world, the cherry blossom is a worldwide recognize symbol that surpasses the symbolism of the actual cherry. The cherryblossom is also a common symbol in traditional Japanese woodblock art. Traditional Japanese tattooing draws its artistic inspiration from the woodblock prints and thus often incorporate cherry blossoms. In China the cherry blossom represents feminine beauty, the feminine principle and love. In Japan, the blossom is believed to symbolize the transient nature of life because of the way they bloom for such short periods of time. Like life, the blossom shows extreme beauty for a very short period of time and dies quickly. It is also the emblem of the Samurai, who are taught to believe that each day may be their last. Their motto is "This is a good day to die". The cherry blossom figures prominently on the Samurai sword sheath. 

Cherry blossom tattoos are found on those who either have some ethnic heritage in the east or have a respect for their teachings, especially the Samurai's Bushido or the Way of the Warrior. Tattoos that include cherry blossoms usually also include traditional Eastern elements as well, like samurais, geishas, Chinese dragons, koi fish or kanji.

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