More Striking Celtic Tattoo Designs

Celtic cross w/intricate knotwork

Here is a really intricate Celtic cross design idea depicting the never ending knotwork.  This artwork is just incredible and I can only imagine how many sittings it took the artist ink this tattoo.  It takes a very experienced tattoo artist with a tremendous eye for detail to ink Celtic knotwork.






Celtic designs are very rich in history and folklore.  The early Celts didn't write anything down, therefore, much of their history up to a point was passed along orally through the generations. Many Celtic designs you see today have their roots in the Book of Kells,
which was created by Celtic monks ca. 800 or slightly earlier.

Celtic zoomorphic wolf tattoo design

The original manuscript consisted of the four gospels of the New Testament along with various texts and tables.  The illustrations and other ornamentation surpass that of other Insular Gospel volumes in extravagance and complexity.  Figures of humans, animals, and mythical beasts, along with Celtic knots and interwoven patterns in vibrant colors grace the Book of Kells pages.

Pictured here you see the continuous knotwork ending with the body and head of a wolf.  If you will notice the wolf has the strand in his mouth not breaking the never ending weave.  Very cool design.

Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland and it is said that just one thistle saved an entire Scottish army.  During the Vikings invasion of Scotland, an enemy warrior stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, waking the sleeping Scotsmen.

Celtic knotwork tattoo design

Pictured at right here is another example of the intricate interwoven knotwork prevelant in Celtic tattoo design artistry.

 LA Ink Tattoo Designs has stunning galleries of traditional

Celtic tattoo design artwork!!

Celtic Tattoo Designs

Celtic knot, thistle and flower tattoo

The ancient Celtic art was made up of intricately designed interlacing patterns, elaborate knotwork, spirals, and animal forms.  The early Celts displayed their Celtic design mostly in metals consisting of jewelry, weapons, pottery, etc.

Celtic knots are typically complete loops that are never ending unless they end with an animal form, as at the head, limb, or tail of a particular animal, such as a jaguar.  This is also known as the zoomorphic aspect of Celtic traditional tattoo design.

The repeated crossing of the physical and spiritual are displayed in the interlacing of the knots.  The continuious path of the strands reflect the permanence and continuum of life, love and spiritual growth.

Celtic woad tattoo design

The tattoo design to the right is of a Celtic woad.  A woad is a European plant, in the mustard family, formerly cultivated for a blue dye extracted from it's leaves.

Celtic cross tattoo design

"The Irish Catholic priest will have no hesitation in telling you that the circle of the Celtic cross is a symbol of eternity that emphasizes the endlessness of God's love as shown through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.  That is unless he says the circle is a halo.  He may go on to explain that the crucifixion is important not just as an event at a certain point in time but, as the circle symbolizes, as the unending mystery of how through the crucifixion and resurrection Christ continues to offer the hope of salvation to the faithful throughout all time"
-Stephen Walker, 1996

There are many variations of styles of the Celtic cross tattoo, but a design similar to the one shown here is fairly popular.

full back Celtic tattoo design

tree of life Celtic tattoo design

Celtic tattoo design

really superbly done Celtic cross design with tribal

Celtic wedding knot

Celtic never ending knotwork tattoo design

Celtic cross tattoo design

Did you find this post fairly interesting?  LA Ink Tattoo Designs has amazing galleries of Celtic tattoo designs!!