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Irish Culture Celtic Knots, Spirals, and Dragons..... In the Irish Isle Celtic culture flourished. The Celts artistic ability and craftsmanship is shown in their ornamental metal work. A Celtic knot is a stylized representation of an endless knot used for decoration by the Celts. There are eight basic types of knots. They have no religious or philosophical meaning other then representing the endless intricacy of humanity and nature. Spirals are the earliest decorative motif of the Celts and the first to disappear. Death and rebirth is the symbolism in the ever changing directional flow of the spiral. The Triskele or triple spiral design is the symbol for the three stages of woman; maid, mother and wise woman. Dragons were worn in ancient times as talismans believed to harness the positive forces of the four elements.
The Trinity Knot..... Much like the shamrock the Triquetra knot or the Trinity knot was used by Christians to represent the Holy Trinity. In modern times the Trinity knot is now interpreted as the Irish love knot. The trinity knot's interlaced and unbroken lines symbolize spiritual growth, eternal life and undying love. Newgrange in County Meath.... Newgrange, a megalithic passage tomb was built between c.3300-2900BC. It is more then 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It predates Stonehenge trilithons by about 1,000 years. The tomb is a kidney shaped mound that covers an area of over one acre is richly decorated with megalithic art. There are spiral and lozenge motifs engraved on the magnificent entrance slab. The most famous of stones depicting megalithic art includes a triple spiral motif, found only at Newgrange and repeated along the passage and again inside the chamber. It is reminiscent of the triskelion motif of the Isle of Man, of ancient Sicily and of several passage tombs on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Saint Patrick's Day.....
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Celtic Cross... Legend says St. Patrick while preaching Christianity drew a cross through a Celtic circle symbolic of the moon Goddess. Hence the Celtic cross was born. Today the circle of the cross is viewed as a of God's endless love.
Saint Valentine's Day ..... Valentine's Day or St. Valentine's Feast Day falls on 14 February. It has become customary on this day for to exchanged cards and various tokens of affection such as jewelry. There is no definitive reason why Saint Valentine was chosen as the patron saint of lovers. It is often said that there is a connection with the pagan Roman Festival of Lupercalia. In the middle of February the Festival of Lupercalia was often celebrated. Young men and women would chose each other as partners. A legend passed down and embellished through generations of story telling say that the Roman Saint Valentine resisted an edict of the Emperor. The Emperors forbid the marriage of young men bound for military service. For his resistance Saint Valentine was put to death. Valentine's Feast has also linked with the belief that magically birds pair up on 14 February. This legend was the inspiration for Chaucer's 'Parliament of Fowls'. The crocus flower blooms in Februaryand is known as the St Valentine's Flower. The custom of sending tokens of love and affection on Valentine's Day started to develope during the nineteenth century. In Ireland the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street in Dublin City claims to hold the remains of St Valentine. References: The Catholic Encyclopedia. D H Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Oxford and New York, 3rd Edition 1992. Roisín Ingle, 'No love lost in the battle to claim heart of St Valentine', Irish Times, 13 February 1999. Peter O'Dwyer O Carm, The Irish Carmelites, Dublin 1988. 'Shrine of St Valentine, Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin', http://carmelites.ie/Ireland/Whitefriar%20St/valentine.htm Claddagh..... The village of Claddagh was once a fishing village located just outside the walls for Galway city where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. Nowadays the city has expanded considerably, so the Claddagh is considered to be part of the city centre. The village of Claddagh is famous for the Claddagh ring -- a friendship ring. Source: Wikipedia (18th Febraury, 2005)The Claddagh Story... Long ago a young man was captured and sold into slavery from the fishing village of Claddagh. Many years passed and he wondered if his true love would wait for him. Over the years he stole tiny bits of gold from his master to make her a ring. He fashioned a heart for love, a crown for loyalty and hands as a symbol of friendship. After many years he finally returned home to Claddagh. Upon his return and to his joy he discovered his true love had waited for him. He gave her the ring as a symbol of their love, loyalty and friendship forever known now as the Claddagh. Claddagh Traditions... In Ireland it is traditional for mothers to hand down claddagh rings to their daughters. How to wear a Claddagh Ring....
Irish Wedding Traditions.... Carry a lucky horseshoe. Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won't run out). You can get brass or porcelain horseshoes which most Irish brides carry these days, or one made of fabric or jewelry which is worn on the wrist. Give the gift of "Make-up bells". The chime of bells is thought to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony if a couple is fighting, and also remind a couple of their wedding vows. Giving a bell as a gift has become an Irish tradition. Carry a magic hanky made from Irish Linen. This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky on her wedding day. Later on with a few stitches that same hanky can be turned into a christening bonnet for her first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry it on his/her wedding day continuing the Irish wedding tradition. The Shamrock in Irish the word is "seam rőg" means little clover. The shamrock is a 3-leaf clover and is the symbol of Ireland. Long ago the ancient Celts believed it was sacred because it forms a triad. When the Christians arrived, St. Patrick used a shamrock with it's three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity. In Ireland, the bride's bouquets and the groom's boutonniere often include shamrocks for good luck The Story of Saint Patrick... Saint Patrick (Latin: Patricius) was a Christian missionary and is regarded as the patron saint of Ireland along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. The available evidence does not allow the dates of Patrick's life to be fixed with certainty, but it appears that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century. Two letters from him survive, along with later hagiographies from the seventh century onwards. Many of these works cannot be taken as authentic traditions. Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster (see below) would imply St. Patrick lived from AD 373-493, and ministered in northern Ireland from AD 433 until his death. Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though post-glacial Ireland never actually had snakes;[34] one suggestion is that snakes referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids of that time and place, as shown for instance on coins minted in Gaul (see Carnutes), or that it could have referred to beliefs such as Pelagianism, symbolized as "serpents". Legend also credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover, using it to highlight the Christian dogma of 'three divine persons in the one God' (as opposed to the Arian belief that was popular in Patrick's time). Whether or not these legends are true, the very fact that there are so many legends about Patrick shows how important his ministry was to Ireland. Some Irish legends involve the Oilliphéist, the Caoránach, and the Copóg Phádraig. The 12th century work Acallam na Senórach tells of Patrick being met by two ancient warriors, Caílte mac Rónáin and Oisín, during his evangelical travels. The two were once members of Fionn mac Cumhaill's warrior band the Fianna, and somehow survived to Patrick's time. They travel with the saint and tell him their stories. (Source: Wikipedia) The Tara Brooch Found near Bettystown, County Meath in 1850 and named after the Hill of Tara on account of the beauty of the workmanship, as an ornamental piece the Tara Brooch is the most exquisite piece of early Christian craftsmanship ever found on these islands. Made of white bronze and decorated in gold with settings of amber, glass and enamel, the brooch is now on permanent display in the National Museum, Dublin. Scottish Culture.... Charles Rennie Mackintosh Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 -1928) was born in Gaslow, Scotland. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an architect, designer and an artist. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was one of the most creative and influential figures of the early 20th century to come out of Scotland. He took his inspiration from Scottish traditions and blended them with the flourishing style of the Art Nouveau period. Most of his surviving work can be found in or around Glasgow, Scotland. Luckenbooth The Luckenbooth is a Scottish symbol of love, dating back to the 17th century and often given as a token of betrothal, affection and friendship. It is usually in the shape of a heart or two entwined hearts symbolizing love and with a crown to symbolize loyalty. Luckenbooths were sold from shops or "locked booths" in Edinburgh's Royal Mile hence the name Luckenbooth. Thistle The thistle or Scotch thistle is the national flower of Scotland and they have a beautiful lavender flower. The thistle is featured in many Scottish symbols and logos. Legend has it that a Viking attacker once stepped on a thorny thistle during the night and cried out so loud that it alerted the Scottish defending their castle. St. Cuthbert's Cross St. Cuthbert's Cross is also known as Thor's Cross. The St. Cuthbert Cross is seen largely on heraldic insignia and related ceremonial dress in Scotland. To fit the silhouette of the shields in coats-of-arms, the cross has four equal-length arms. Each of the St. Cuthbert's arm has a Thor-like hammer head. There is no connection between Thor and St. Cuthbert, except for the influence of Norse mythology in Celtic art in the seventh century.The story of Saint Cuthbert is rather charming. One night in a shepherd boy named Cuthbert was praying on a hillside near Melrose monastery which lies at the heart of the Scottish Borders. He had a vision of "a great light and a choir of angels" descending from the night sky. The next day he learned that St. Aidan, the Bishop of Lindisfarne, had died. The Shepard boy, Cuthbert believed he had witnessed St. Aidan's soul being carried to Heaven and took this as a sign calling him to missionary work. Later he became Bishop of Lindisfarne on Easter Day, 685. Numerous miraculous healings have been accredited to St. Cuthbert. Saint Cuthbert's remains now lie in Durham Cathedral. The word or name Cuthbert means brilliant light.
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