Fashion & Style Information

Celtic Jewelry - A Beautiful Mystery Unraveled


Celtic jewelry like the Celts themselves has a rich history and a proud tradition. Immensely beautiful with intricate Celtic symbols and delicate designs, Celtic cross jewelry, Celtic knot jewelry, and beautiful Claddaugh rings have been admired and desired for thousands of years.

Celtic Cross Jewelry

One of the most enduring, and coveted "gifts" of Celtic culture is jewelry featuring the Celtic Cross. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over a Latin cross.

For an Irish Catholic, the circle in the Celtic cross may be a symbol of eternity and the endlessness of God's love. It can even represent a halo emanating from Christ.

Some say the four "arms" of the Celtic Cross represent the elements (fire, earth, air, and water). Others believe the cross denotes the four directions of the compass, and still others feel it is a representation of human existence - mind, body, soul and heart.

Celtic Knots

The most distinguishing characteristic of Celtic knots is their intricate patterns and design?and the debate as to the meaning of those designs. While it is unquestionable that many of the ancient designs had some significance, those meanings changed from tribe to tribe and location to location.

Many believe that the intricate looping in knots was a way to keep out evil spirits. It is also generally accepted that the looping Celtic knot design denotes eternity and interconnectedness. Still, there is no definitive guide as to the meaning of Celtic knots which, adds, perhaps to their mystery and appeal.

Claddagh Rings

Named for the town of Claddagh near Galway in which they are said to have originated, Claddagh rings are beloved Celtic symbols of Irish culture and sentiment. Unlike other Celtic symbols, the meaning behind the Claddagh ring is well-documented. The Claddagh design has a heart (symbolizing love) topped by a crown (symbolizing loyalty) held in two hands (signifying friendship). The phrase that is usually associated with the giving of a Claddagh ring is "Let love and friendship reign."

It's not surprise that the Claddagh is a popular marriage band. In Celtic times, it was worn on the right hand with the heart turned outward to show that the wearer is unattached or with the heart turned inward to show he/she was "spoken for." If the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart turned inward, it shows that two loves have been joined in marriage.

Celtic Then and Now

At one time, Celtic people could be found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the British Isles, where the earliest examples of Celtic jewelry originate. The emergence of the powerful Roman Empire encroached on the lifestyle, traditions, and homeland of the Celts who were forced to move to abandon their homes and relocate in remote areas in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall in southern England.

Despite their hardships at the hands of the Romans, Celts endured, thrived?and continued to produce Celtic jewelry. The tradition has remained strong for centuries. Irish Celtic jewelry and Scottish Celtic jewelry have enjoyed a huge resurgence in their homelands and with "ex-pats" around the world, as people seek to rediscover and celebrate their cultural traditions.

Learn How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This informative Special Report reveals little-known facts and insider trade secrets that many jewelers would prefer you didn't know. To get your FREE copy please go to http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

NY Fashion Week campaigns for style, Lohan shows support
Reuters UK, UK - Sep 6, 2008
As the Nov. 4 US presidential election draws near, New York’s Fashion Week has launched its own campaign — for style. The entrance to the tents at Bryant ...


Who is your style hero?
Manchester Evening News, UK - 12 hours ago
by Sophie Mei IT'S not just Hollywood stars who are the height of glamour and sophistication - try spending an hour or two in Manchester city centre. ...


The ABC's of style
The Desert Sun, CA - 20 hours ago
Ever wonder the difference between a sheath dress and a shift? An A-line and a trapeze? The fashion world uses insider lingo like, well, insiders. ...


Uniform inspires Pasifika winner
TVNZ, New Zealand - Sep 5, 2008
A design inspired by the Maori Battalion uniform won the main award at Style Pasifika Fashion show at the Vector Arena in Auckland on Friday night. ...


New fashion season arrives
Kyiv Post, Ukraine - Sep 3, 2008
by Maria Leontieva, Kyiv Post Staff Writer For true fashionistas, fall first of all means the arrival of a new fashion season, which requires an urgent ...


NYTimes: Transitioning in the workplace
Feministing, NY - Sep 5, 2008
Maybe I should give up on complaining about this, but it still irks me every time I see an article that is about women's issues (and now we can add trans ...


Style.com to pack fashion shows into the iPhone
International Herald Tribune, France - Sep 1, 2008
By Eric Wilson Style.com, the online home of Vogue, is introducing an iPhone application designed to enable dedicated followers of fashion to watch runway ...


Gay Wired

Big Gay Deal: Debbie Matenopoulos
Gay Wired, CA - Sep 4, 2008
By Duane Wells | Article Date: 9/04/2008 12:00 AM Somebody asked me in a recent interview, ‘What do we not know about you?’ And you know what I told them? ...


Second City Style and W Chicago Host SCS's 3 Year Anniversary ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Sep 4, 2008
Award winning online fashion magazine champions the Chicago fashionista and independent designers to a global audience. Chicago (PRWEB) September 4, ...


amNewYork

The trends for '09
amNewYork, New York - Sep 3, 2008
By Julie Gordon | jgordon@am-ny.com Minimalism, three ways: Angel Sanchez adds a little sparkle; Michael Kors trims it in fur; Calvin Klein goes off the ...

Fashion-Style - Google News

home | site map
© 2006