From Spirals and Triskels, to knots and Triquetra, here is everything you need to know about the Celtic Art Style.
I have been interested in the Celtic culture in general and the Celtic art style in particular for a long time and it has been influencing and inspiring my own art style for many years. There is something mysterious and almost hypnotic about those spiraling lines, those infinite loops and symmetrical patterns.
"Cú Chulainn" is one of the illustration created for my Celtic Colouring book (Amazon link here). In this illustration the great Irish hero is depicted in his youth, with his hurley stick about to strike, at the time he acquired is nickname "The Hound of Chulainn". There are Celtic knots on the hem and sleeve of his tunic. To each top corners, I added a Celtic hound design and above him both the Triquetra and the Triskelion symbols.
When I moved to Ireland years ago and started exploring, I was really excited to get to see examples of Celtic Art in real life. But truth be told, I didn't really know much about it and I was very confused about what was "authentic" Celtic art and what was fantasy or modern interpretation. So, if like me at the time, you are curious and need to know more, continue reading !
What is the Celtic Style and what makes it stand out from the rest ?
Strictly speaking, art historians use the terms "Celtic art" when talking about the art style originating in some parts of Northwest Europe, from the Iron Age (some argue the Neolithic age) until the medieval time or the conquest by the Roman Empire.
Because it covers a wide chronological and geographical span, the Celtic art style has many aspects and can be tricky to describe accurately.
As an attempt to give a brief description I would say that it is generally characterized either by spirals and geometrical patterns (early Celtic art) or by complex symmetrical interwoven patterns or interlace referred to as Celtic Knots (insular art). Now let's dive more in details the different types of Celtic art.
Early Celtic Style
The Early Celtic art focuses on Celtic art from the Iron age, more particularly from an archeological period called La Tene. The style consists of energetic circular forms like spirals, and geometrical patterns. It can be found in some ancient sites, carved on the stones of megalithic monuments (passage tombs, standing stones etc...). The forms/shape may vary slightly but they are almost always abstract.
Here below you can find some examples I photographed during my own Irish explorations.
From top left to right and down:
Killycluggin stone, Co Cavan - Entrance of the passage tomb of Newgrange (circa 3,200 BC), Co Meath -
Cairns of Loughcrew, Co Cavan - Kingsmountain Decorated Stone, Co Meath.
Insular Art
Insular Art refers to early medieval Celtic art of Britain and Ireland. It originates from the most part from the Irish monastic movement and consists in perfectly symmetrical sophisticated interwoven/interlace patterns commonly called Celtic Knots.
Insular art is easily confused by the untrained eye with Scandinavian or North art as they all feature knotwork, but they differ in several ways. First, Scandinavian designs often depicts monsters and mythology characters while Celtic patterns are most of the time abstract and symbolic. Figurative subjects are less present and extremely stylised in the latter. Second, insular knots typically consist of a single continuous line that wraps around itself several times while Scandinavian knots can have broken, discontinued lines. An easy trick if you are unsure you're looking at a Celtic or Scandinavian design, put your finger anywhere on a line and follow the pattern: If it is a Celtic knotwork design, you will eventually end up exactly where you started.
Insular art has survived mainly through illuminated manuscripts and metal artefacts (ex: pieces of jewellery) but also on Celtic Crosses. The most famous Irish example of insular art is probably the Book of Kells. Other fine examples of the style are the Book of Durrow and Tara Brooch.
Images from left to right:
Pages from the Book of Kells - Celtic cross, Glendalough - Tara Brooch - 2 other penannular brooches - Ardagh Chalice.
Celtic Revival or Celtic Twilight
The Celtic Revival relates to a period of renewed interest for Celtic Culture in Europe during the 19th and 20th century. In Ireland, it coincided with political changes and was used as a way to re-affirm the Irish cultural identity. This revival manifested in visual art as well as in literature, music, architecture, jewellery making etc... It was largely inspired by Mythology and folklore and aimed to revive the Insular art style. Examples of Celtic Revival art are numerous. You can admire Celtic revival art on monuments, Celtic Crosses, embroidered clothing (take a look at Irish dancing dresses), illustrated books, and so on... Personally I do not mind that it is "copying" insular art and that it is therefore not "original", I just think it's gorgeous !
Images from left to right:
John Duncan's Tuatha de Danann - Anna Traquair's embroidery - Sister Concepta Lynch's murals in the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin
Some Celtic symbols
The Triskele or Triskelion (also known as the Celtic Spiral)
Derived from the Greek word "Triskeles" meaning "Three legs", a triskelion is a motif made of a triple spiral. The symbol is typical of early Celtic art and appears consistently on the oldest stone monuments throughout Ireland, some being over 5000 years old ! There are many interpretations but we are not quite sure of its exact meaning. The dynamism of its shape evokes movement, like a wheel in motion. The number 3 is considered a magic number is ancient Celtic culture. In this case the 3 connected spirals could possibly be related to the 3 stages of life : Birth, death and rebirth (which makes sense since it is often found carved near or in ancient tombs).
Here below, a simple triskelion
Triquetra or Trinity knot (aslo known as the triple knot)
The triquetra is often found as a decorative ornament on Celtic crosses. It is very typical of insular art and has been used widely by Christianity as a symbol of holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit). One of the most well known symbols from the Ireland of Saint and Scholars, it first appeared in Celtic culture sometime during the 7th century. Notice how you can start anywhere and follow the line indefinitely.
The Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross is a Christian ringed cross that seem to have been present in Ireland from as early as the 8th century. It is found either in graveyards or outside churches and monasteries. The cross is carved in stone. The vertical arm tends to be significantly longer than the horizontal one and it is often highly decorated with carved interlace patterns typical of the insular art style, including the triquetra. Although they can be of any size, the most impressive ones are undoubtedly the high crosses. There is only about 30 surviving examples of high crosses left in Ireland today the tallest of which is 22 feet (7 meters) high.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Celtic visual art ! Feel free to comment with any additional information or examples.
Some book reference if you are into Celtic Art:
"Celtic Art - The Method of Construction" by George Bain
"Designing Celtic Ornaments" by David Balade
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