Celtic Key Patterns

We provide tattoo designs and Celtic symbol meanings. Celtic key patterns like the Celtic spirals in straight lines are connected and used repeatedly to provide a variety designs and symbols.

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There are numerous references to Celtic designs and tattoos, but few good descriptions by writers. Most writers have been "blinded" by classical education that "claims" to be the basis of all European artistic achievements. Allow me to enlighten you.

J. Romilly Allen has the opinion that the difference between the classical key patterns, and the patterns used by the Christian Celts of Britain and Ireland. Also, that the patterns of the Celts consisted of diagonal lines by the latter.

Square designs of "classical" Greek were not used very much in the art of Pagan or the Christian people of Britain and Ireland. They occur even less in Pictish art. The diagonal cross (of the latter Saint Andrew story) became St. Andrew's Cross and emerged to be the new dressing of Scotland. It succeeded the Pictland of Malcom Canmore. This diagonal Cross is the basic construction of a great amount of interlacing knotwork panels and key pattern panels of Pictish art.

J. Romilly Allen asserts that these diagonal arrangements, and the necessary adjustments to fill the spaces are necessissary in order to fit the pattern to a straight line. These diagonal arrangements are supposed to be the cause of the distinctive Celtic character, but the result is more an imitation of the Greek fret.

Later Westwood, who had less artistic knowledge but greater wisdom, proclaimed that key patterns were "a series of diagonal lines, forming various kinds of Chinese-like designs." I would add that they are "Navaho Indian like lines" (consider American Stonehenge). These key pattern ornaments are generally small compartments. A number of which are arranged to form large letters and borders, or nested within pages... pages which the finest manuscripts are decorated.

Chinese patterns from periods prior to 1000 B.C. are very similar to the Pictish designs. What I think is a reference to key patterns is in the Old Testament, 1st Kings, Chapter 7, Vs 31... in the description of building Solomon's house. This text is dated 1005 B.C.. "And also upon the mouth of it were engravings with their borders, four square, not round." This statement "not round" (in 2nd King James chapter 25, vs. 17 (Solomon's Temple of the Lord) is to spirals as a more customary form of ornament. "And like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work."

In the British Museum you can find a very damaged Egyptian carving that is made in ivory of a priest whose robe has a key pattern panel and interlacing on its borders. this Egyptian carving was dated at 3500 B.C. - 3000 B.C.

A pair of bracelets made of mammoth ivory that are engraved with a swastika with anti-clockwise motion... "researching". (If you have information... please help.) The interlocking swastikas are part of an over-all pattern. It serves to draw attention to the mathematical and geometrical knowledge and the engraving skill that was necessary to accomplish this piece. Few people today, including myself, could copy it without instructions. Fewer still could make a new design that is similar.

The Isle of Man Triskele symbol, which has suffered invaders, added a foot to each of what looked like legs. Later these feet became encased in armor... a classic example of the changes made to ancient Celtic symbols.