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Irish orthography is the set of conventions used to write Irish. A spelling reform in the mid-20th century led to An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, the modern standard written form used by the Government of Ireland, which regulates both spelling and grammar.
- 12 Celtic Symbols and Meanings Explained
- The Celtic Tree of Life
- The Celtic Cross
- The Dara Knot
- The Ailm
- The Triquetra / Trinity Knot
- The Triskelion
- The Irish Harp
- The Shamrock
- The Claddagh Ring
The Celtic Tree of LifeThe Celtic Cross symbolThe Dara KnotThe AilmThe intricately interwoven branches and roots of the Celtic Tree of Life form a strong and earthy Celtic symbol for strengththat’s often associated with the Druids. While the branches reach for the sky, the roots permeate the earth. For the ancient Celts, the Tree of Life symbolizes balance and harmony. Spin this symmetric Celtic symbol 180 degrees...
The Celtic Crosshas been present in Ireland from the early Middle Ages and it is arguably the most recognisable of the many Celtic symbols. Interestingly enough, some of the earliest Celtic Cross symbols in Ireland date back to the 8th or 9th century and can be found in Kilkenny and Laois. Originally, these crosses would have been made from wood or...
Another of the better-known Irish Celtic symbols is the Dara Celtic Knot. This symbol boasts an interwoven design and a name that comes from the Irish word ‘Doire’ which means “oak tree”. The Dara Knotis derived from this word and the symbol represents the root system of an ancient oak. Like many Celtic knot symbols, the Dara Knot is made up of int...
There are two traditional Irish Celtic symbols for strength – the Dara Knot (above) and the Ailm. The symbols differ greatly in design, but their meanings are similar. The Celtic Ailm symbol is derived from the first letter of the Celtic Ogham alphabet. Ogham was a primitive form of written communication in Celtic history and the Ogham was original...
There is no definitive Celtic symbol for family, but there are several ancient Celtic knots that represent the meanings of eternal love, strength and family unity. The Triquetra is thought to be the oldest symbol of spirituality. It is depicted in the 9th century Book of Kellsand also appears in Norwegian stave churches from the 11th century. The e...
Also known as the Triskele, the Triskelionis another of the ancient Irish Celtic symbols thought to have been around during Neolithic times (that’s around 3,200 years BC!). This spiral symbol once again reflects the Celtic belief that everything important comes in threes. The Triskelion has three clockwise spirals connecting from a central hub, a l...
The first of the non Celtic signs in this guide is the Harp. The Irish Harp is the national emblem of Ireland and is still widely used today. Look for it on Irish Euro coins as well as on the label of every can and bottle of Guinness. The meaning of the Irish harp symbol embodies the spirit and essence of the Irish people and is said to represent t...
The Shamrock is another of the many Irish symbols that tends to be mistaken for one of the ancient Celtic symbols. This tiny bright green three-leafed plant grows all over Ireland and beyond, and it thrives in cool damp climates. If you find a clover with four separate leaves it’s said to be lucky (read more about the luck of the Irish). It is the ...
When it comes to Celtic symbols for love, one design tends to (incorrectly) pop up time and time again, despite clear evidence of its origin. I’m talking, of course, about the mighty Claddagh. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Claddaghis a beautiful Irish symbol, but it has nothing to do with the Celts. The Claddagh symbol originated in County Galway in...
May 13, 2019 · The Shamrock. Derived from the Irish word seamróg, meaning 'little clover,' shamrock refers to young sprigs of clover. It was coined by Edmund Campion, an English scholar in 1571 when he wrote of ...
- Ali Isaac
Feb 29, 2024 · Each symbol is meticulously examined, revealing its historical origins, cultural significance, and profound meanings embedded within Irish folklore and tradition. This guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in Irish culture or symbolism in general.
Irish Orthography (Litriú na Gaeilge) The orthography of Irish is at first a bit confusing. In addition, the pronunciation and written Irish are not identical, especially the pronunciation varies from dialect to dialect. Although, the order in which letters appear is not random, but follows specific rules. One can just as well develop a ...
Jun 15, 2023 · 1. Celtic Cross. This Irish symbol is a variation on the classic Christian cross, consisting of four arms that are equally spaced out from the center and joined by a ring. Christians believe the Celtic cross to be an exact representation of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.
Oct 14, 2023 · The different types of Celtic knots. Great, now you know a bit of the history behind the various types. Now let’s break down the eight main types of Celtic knots and what they mean (or at least can be interpreted to mean.) 1. Trinity Celtic knot (Triquetra) The first and probably the most popular of all Celtic Knots!
