Celtic patterns and knots are beautiful, mystical symbols of Ireland used to represent faith, love, and unity.
The trinity knot, a simple interwoven loop with neither a beginning nor an end, is an exquisite emblem of infinity and eternity.
Table of Contents
Exploring Irish Symbols
In today's post we'll explore the history and significance of the trinity knot.
And I'm delighted to host a little giveaway sponsored by the good folks at The Irish Jewelry Company.
One lucky winner will receive a magnificent Celtic Mother's Knot necklace. But before I share the details of our giveaway and prize, let's explore the symbolism of trinity knots.
Meaning of the Trinity Knot
This simple continuous woven knot pattern represents the cycle of life. Like many Celtic traditions, this knot's origins are sometimes disputed.
Some attribute its creation to our early Christian forebears, while others prefer to assign its creation to our pagan ancestors, the Celts.
I accept both interpretations of its history as founded in reality.
Before Christianity arrived in Ireland the Celts believed in triads of life-giving and spiritual forces. The three stages of womanhood were represented by maiden, mother and crone. The world was united by three elements of earth, fire and water.
When our forebears were introduced to Christianity it's no surprise their love of triplet symbolism was adopted to explain the existence of a triune God. It was a match made in heaven.
The unbroken lines of the Celts' beautiful trinity knots were easy to identify with God's undying love, our spiritual growth and the promise of eternal life.
Reasons To Love The Trinity Knot
Let's explore some of the reasons why I find trinity knots to be so meaningful and a perfect emblem of our Irish heritage ....
1. It is an iconic symbol of Ireland, an expression of an ancient and enduring culture.
2. It is an emblem for all eternity, with no beginning and no end, reflecting the timeless nature of our spirit.
3. It represents the Holy Trinity, the three forms of God in a single being, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, mirroring St. Patrick's use of the shamrock to represent one God in three persons.
4. It is an authentically Celtic symbol featured in ancient metal work and stone carvings from previous centuries and millenniums.
5. Trinity knots illuminate magnificent Irish manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow.
6. Their endless intertwining curves perfectly represent never-ending love.
7. The loops of the trinity knot wrap under and over each other symbolizing honor and protection.
8. The infinite path of this trefoil pattern speaks of an uninterrupted life cycle. When given as a gift it conveys blessings of longevity.
9. The three points or corners of the knot can designate mind, body, and spirit, woven together and interlinked to form life.
10. This tiquetera may signify the three lunar or solar phases, honoring the Great Mother, a Celtic lunar goddess.
11. It depicts a woman's journey through life - youth, motherhood and old age.
12. When a circle is placed around and through this Celtic knot it represents our spiritual union with the Divine. This deep eternal connection is one that can never be broken.
10. Past, present and future mesh together to form one intertwined existence.
14. The trinity knot is also known as the Irish love knot.
15. A trinity knot is a beautiful emblem and gift for mothers, mother's-to-be, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.
Phew! I got to 15 reasons. I thought about listing 10 reasons to love the trinity knot, but decided my total should be a multiple of 3. (Now there's proof I'm a superstitious old Celtic crone).
The Irish Jewelry Company
The Irish Jewelry Company specializes in designing exclusive copyrighted Irish jewelry, celebrating our Celtic heritage. Their stylish and original jewelry collection reflects Celtic symbolism and old Irish traditions.
Each and every design expresses a love of Ireland and a deep and meaningful connection to our ancient past.
I love how their imaginative twist on traditional designs has resulted in a unique range of Irish inspired jewelry.
Founded by an Irish American husband and wife team, they offer high quality Irish jewelry and gifts to their customers, and today they have graciously sponsored a gorgeous prize for one lucky reader.
The Prize
Today's prize is a beautiful Celtic Mother's Knot necklace. Here's the description of this lovely piece of jewelry:
"This unassuming stylized holy trinity with a parent and child embrace is representative of the Madonna and child. Combined with a Celtic trinity knot it is a true testament to the enduring bond between a mother, her child, faith and their Celtic heritage."
"A mother holds her children's hands for a little while and their hearts forever."
This old Irish saying perfectly expresses the infinite nature of a mother's love represented by this gorgeous pendant design.
One lucky winner will receive a sterling silver Celtic Mothers knot pendant and chain.
The Giveaway
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Wednesday, August 5th, 2015. Any comment will do, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you are the proud owner of a piece of Celtic jewelry.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published or shared, just used to contact our lucky contestant.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday August 5th, 2015, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstake entries by clicking here.
Thanks to everyone who supports and enters this little giveaway.
Feel free to tell your family and friends by sharing this post.
Thanks a bunch for spreading the word about Irish American Mom.
We Have A Winner
Good news. Our winner have been chosen using the random “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Shannon
I’ll send you a quick e-mail, Shannon, to let you know you are our prize winner.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway.
And a big thank you to the Irish Jewelry Company for sponsoring this wonderful prize and for introducing their unique Celtic inspired jewelry designs.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: Irish American Mom received a Celtic Mother's Trinity Knot necklace for review and photography purposes. All views expressed are my own and not influenced by this arrangement. No cash payment was received for publishing this giveaway post. I wish to thank The Irish Jewelry Company for graciously sponsoring the prize for this Celtic Jewelry giveaway.
Here are some other ramblings and recipes about all things Irish and Irish American, which you might enjoy.
Never Let The Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story
Laura
I LOVE this! I bought a ring in Ireland and wear it with my Irish grandmother's wedding band. I never take them off. They mean so much to me. Thank you for this site!
JB Green
This is beautiful...I love the Irish Trinity Knot!!
Mary
I have a Claddagh charm that my husband gave me as an anniversary gift. This charm would be perfect with it!
michael loughnane
my wife has a lovely claddagh ring purchase in Galway city.
Barbara Duffy
Thank you so much for your blog on The Trinity Knot which I found informative and fascinating. I would love to share this beautiful Celtic Mother's Knot for my Daughter-in-law who is such a tremendous Mother, should I win.
Janine Corbets
The jewelry I wear daily; a shamrock necklace, a trinity knot ring, my claddagh wedding ring set, and gold, Celtic, knot work band. I do wear a second necklace as well, a thistle for my Scottish heritage. Needless to say, I love Celtic jewelry!
Claudia
Wow, this is a fantastic prize!! I have an Irish Trinity knot pendant, I bought it in Glendalough; I also have one similar Celtic symbol pendant, which is not Irish but typical of Brittany. I love Celtic jewelry for the deep and ancient meaning of its symbols. I would love to win the Mother's Trinity knot necklace as I am a mother: my daughter is only one year old but when she is old enough to listen to fairy tales, I will tell her the beautiful Irish stories and the meaning of the Celtic symbols.
Maura
. I am proud to be irish and would wear it with pride. Love it!
Marie Reynolds
I dont have a trinity piece and would love it
Terri Jackson
Such a beautiful necklace..... What a lovely tribute to the bond between a mother and her only daughter.... Okay, truthfully.... Between me and my daughter! I would wear it everywhere, all the time!
Al
I wear a Celtic Cross medal. The Trinity Knot would be a perfect gift for my grand daughter who chose the Confirmation name Patrick.
Megan Allen
Thank you so much for the lovely educational pieces that you share. I am always happy to learn more about my Irish heritage. Wishing l would have paid slightly more attention to my grandmother's Irish stories and advice as a teenager; but better late than never?
Kathleen
I just love the history of the Trinity Knot. Thank you!
Lisa Biddle
I love reading your blog .... it so reminds of my trip to Ireland. I would wear this necklace all the time but now I want to get a tattoo of it with my kids names in it ... so neat!
Claire Fullerton
I love the trinity knot, and have always known that three is the perfect number! To wear an Irish trinity knot necklace would no doubt balance mind, body and soul and keep me connected to my homeland! There's much to be said for never forgetting your roots!
Mary Sullivan
I have a pair of Claddagh earrings that I love. Irish jewelry is so beautiful. I hope to own more pieces. 🙂
Katie Brady
I love all of my Celtic jewelery. I have a couple pairs of Trinity earrings and a silver toe ring. But my favorite, that never leaves my body, is my Trinity tattoo. It's on my forearm and has my dad's signature in the middle of it. He was so proud of our heritage and would gladly tell anyone that he was the second Brady born on American soil. My Grandparents came over on the boat. I lost my dad back in 2009 and whenever my heart is missing him, all I have to do is look down at my Trinity and know that there is part of him in me.
Claudia
Dear Katie,
Your post touched my heart: I know what losing a parent means... I lost my dad when I was 12 weeks pregnant and I am so sorry that my daughter hasn't had the occasion to meet her grand-father: anyway I tell her of him, even if she is only 1 year old... this is heritage, too, I think. He taught me so many things and I am going to share them with my kid. I "send" you a warm hug!
Kat O Connell
My wedding ring is a stylized claddagh surrounded by 2 trinity knots 🙂
Megan Z
My father gave me my first piece of Celtic jewelry when I was eleven. I've been in love with it ever since.
laurie
A beautiful piece of jewelry and a great company
Janet MacNamara
I enjoy reading your posts and learning more about Irish traditions and looking at your photos of Ireland. I have a claddagh necklace with my children's birthstones.
Brandy OMalley Moore
Thank you for introducing me to this company. Beautiful jewelry!!!
Tanya
I loved your article & am the proud owner of a silver triskele pendant that I got as a gift from my host family after a trip to Mt. St. Michel, France in 1993. I wear it quite often & am always surprised by how common it is to find symbolism in threes. In my personal life that extends to three children though that wasn't something I did on purpose. 😉
Thanks for the opportunity!
Deborah Egizii
I love your site and look forward to reading all the bits of information you share! I have no Celtic jewelry:-(.
I would love to start a collection - hint , hint.....
Christina Lebish
i love Celtic jewelry, and also always loved drawing trinity knots. I think the Mother and Child variation is just beautiful! Thank you for all of the wonderful background on the origin and symbolism of this icon!
Katelyn Walker
I would love to be able to wear this necklace to show off my Irish heritage.
Elizabeth Linsley
Years ago my husband bought me a yellow gold Claddagh ring of the Wishbone design. I have had may compliments on the design. My Folks came from Ireland in 1920. Altho being born here I am proud to be Irish.
Shannon
I have a lovely claddagh ring that I wear every day. I love seeing others wear them be they of Irish heritage of nkt. I feel like we're all in a lovely Celtic club.
Sheila Carmack
Absolutely beautiful and I even learned some history to boot. Total win!
Beth
I would love this this! I have a beautiful Ogham pendant my husband gave me and would love to add this trinity knot to my collection. What a lovely give away!
Cat McCormick
I so enjoy your website. You remind me of my own mother who came to America in 1949, alone at the age of 18. Your 15 reasons to love the Trinity knot I think correlate to so many of us American born children from parents or grandparents born abroad in Ireland. My own mother one of five, which lost her 2 sisters within two weeks at the ages of 8 and 9 ( one who passed on Easter Sunday) was the most amazing woman I had the blessed pleasure of learning life's lessons from. There brother followed to America in 1957, after my Mam sent enough money for him to come, her sister remained in Ireland. There were 3 children born to our family, myself to Mam and 2 daughters to her sister in Ireland. In 1978 my Aunt passed at 45 leaving 2 daughters 19 and 16, I myself was 19 as well that year. For the next 30 years Mam traveled to Ireland and spent 3 months yearly to help my teenage cousins grow into the most amazing woman I know. I was blessed to have my first granddaughter 6 years ago. My cousin had a beautiful grandson 2 years ago, ( our uncle had the great pleasure of knowing him befor he passed a year ago today) recently my youngest cousin in Ireland had her first granddaughter. Once again our family was complete, us 3 girls me in America, my cousins in Ireland had the great fortune to be able to share one of life's greatest moments, standing in the Basilica in Knock Shrine we read the prayer of the grandparents. Life really had come full circle for us girls all of thankful to Mam that was the knot that bound us! Again you are special, thanks for always reminding me of a VERY special woman.
Ginger
I purchased a beautiful necklace in Clifden that incorporates the Irish trinity knot with Connemara marble. It's a beautiful piece of jewelry I wear proudly. Would love to own another piece of jewelry with the trinity knot. The necklace that is being given away is lovely.
Patrice
I have a silver trinity knot pendant and a gold Claddagh ring both purchased at our local Irish owned Irish shop. I also recently picked up a genuine Irish penny wristwatch of my birth year. My grandparents both came from Ireland and I am a proud dual citizen through my grandmother. An Longfort!
T.M.Johnson
Ahhh, now I know why Leon Uris named his hefty novel "Trinity." Once again, Mairead, an interesting, informative post. Thanks to you I'm wiser...threefold. TMJ
Barb C
Thank you for sharing the background! I'd love to add this gorgeous necklace to add to my Irish jewelry rotation. Thank you from one Irish American Mom to another! 🙂
[email protected]
Nice to see you got some content from Irish jewelry as usually it's the other way around, the celtic knot has many versions but I think the trinity knot is the most interwoven, second only to the celtic cross for its mingling of Druid symbols and Christian symbolism. I use to describe the Christian version to customers when an Irish woman laughed at me and said I must be very Catholic to give that version, I think she may have been representing for the crones at the time, and I think she was surprised when I neither apologized for my Catholicism and then told her the Druid version of the three stages of womanhood.
Cheers,
Brian.
Lorraine Jones
This jewelry is beautiful and what a clever way to incorporate a family twist.
Kelly D
I purchased Celtic knot wedding rings for my husband and myself when we were married 13 years ago, so I do own Celtic jewelry. I love it!
Penny Wolf
I haven't any so called Celtic jewelry. I do have a lovely vintage sterling silver 4 leaf clover bracelet as a stand in.
Sara
I own a couple of pieces of Celtic jewelry my wonderful brother (Catholic Priest) has brought back from Ireland for me. I hope to go one day as he so loves the land, the people and the Irish way of living!
Erin Lawrence
I would love to win this for my mum. My mum and I will be coming to Ireland to see my sis for her wedding. It will be my second time in Ireland and it would mean alot of I could win this for her so she could wear it while she is there
Mary Miner
I am interested in anything from Ireland as my family started there. We love the people but I mostly enjoy the slow pace of the country.
Emily O.
This is a beautiful piece of jewelry! I'd love to own this and wear it as a representation of my bond with my little Liam.
Kathleen Duff
I have a beautiful silver claddagh necklace with a blue sapphire that I received for Christmas from my daughter. I really like the trinity knot mother's necklace and it would be nice to own another piece of authentic Irish jewelry.
Melissa g
Such a beautiful necklace. I got the chance to visit Ireland for two weeks and it was amazing. Would love to go back.
Karen McElroy
Love, love, love your website!!
Sarah
Love a little Irish history! And as a new mama absolutely love the necklace!
Karen Brown
I would love to receive your beautiful Celtic necklace.
Jennifer Elmond
I am a proud redhead, and mother of 2 redhead sons. My youngest and I share the same tattoo of the trinity knot, and i also have the claddagh on my ankle. This necklace would be wonderful to show off with my ink showing my heritage .
Chrystie Barrett
Adore Ireland-enough said.?