The mystery of Celtic and Irish symbols

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The ancient Celts, the people who lived in Britain and Ireland from 500 B.C. to 400 A.D., considered their symbols and signs to hold incredible, meaningful power in their lives.

The stories behind their symbols have been carried on from generation to generation with the help of bards and storytellers, allowing Celtic heritage to live on.

However, even though the lack of written history means that their symbolism is open to interpretation, the meanings are fairly evident.

The relevance and significance of the Celtic symbols are timeless; themes of love, loyalty, energy, wisdom and war which are very much alive today.

So tap into the nature and energy of the Celts, and learn about the language of Celtic symbols.

Irish Harp
The traditional symbol of Ireland, the harp is said to reflect the immortality of the soul. The musicians of ancient chieftains played the harp, and it remains one of the most popular Celtic instruments today. You’ll find the harp everywhere in Ireland, from coins, uniforms and the state seal to the Guinness pint glass.

Shamrock
Symbol for luck and the unofficial, yet most recognizable, symbol of Ireland. The shamrock is a single-stemmed plant with three leaves, and grows on the hills of Ireland. The shamrock is everywhere : postcards, t-shirts, cereal boxes, this Web site’s logo, you name it – if it’s “Irish,” there’s typically a shamrock involved. The shamrock was made famous by St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. He used the shamrock’s three leaves to help explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans during his mission to bring Christianity Ireland.

Claddagh
The heart represents timeless love, the crown represents loyalty and fidelity and the hands represent friendship.

Tri-Color Flag
The Irish Flag has three vertical stripes, from left to right: green, white and orange. The flag was first used in 1848, and symbolizes hope and political peace. The green represents the Catholic population of Ireland, while the orange represents Irish Protestants. The middle stripe of white symbolizes a wish for harmony and unity between the two.

Celtic Cross
Symbol for Celtic Christianity that combines the traditional Christian cross with a ring through the cross’s intersection. Also referred to as the High Cross, the Irish Cross and the Cross of Iona. The ring is considered a solar symbol of energy, a life source.

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