Site Library Library of Celtia

Origins of Celtic Knotwork

Where did Celtic knotwork originate? It is a common assumption that these fascinating forms were first created by pagan artisans long before the patterns were adapted to adorn monuments of Christian crosses and churches. Surely the druids must have invented these mystifying mazes, with some hidden purpose in mind.

A romantic notion indeed! However, in reality Celtic knotwork did not exist in Ireland, Scotland or Britain until the era of the first missionaries, early 7th century. It was during the Celtic Revival in the 19th century that the myth sprang up about knotwork dating back to pagan times. In the post-Famine days, the Revival was a valient attempt to bring back many traditions that were on the verge of extinction, in order to restore a strong sense of national pride to a deeply despairing people. As well-intentioned as they were, some of these attempts disregarded fact in favor of glorified fancy. The fallacies of the Celtic Revival still echo strongly today, right alongside the surviving truths.

It is more likely that Celtic knotwork originated during the first part of the 7th century in the scribal monasteries. Three of the best known of all illuminated manuscripts were produced during that time - the Book of Kells, the Book of Durrow, and the Lindisfarne Gospels. All three of these books contain the earliest known forms of Celtic knotwork. The artform spread with the travels of the missionaries throughout the Celtic lands, and quickly caught on wherever it was introduced.

Knotwork is certainly not exclusively native to the Celts. The style is somewhat distinctive but probably not an original product of Celtic inspiration. Another myth generated during the Celtic Revival was that Ireland existed in a virtual vacuum, untainted by foreign influcnes, until well into the early centuries AD. Again, not true! Artifacts prove that there was healthy contact and trade with other parts of the world, far and wide. Some of this trade, of course, was art. Knotwork was popular in many other cultures, pre-dating the magic moment when the first Irish monk took up his pen. Looking at the so-called "carpet" pages in the illuminated Celtic manuscripts, its easy to find similarities with the art of Coptic Egypt. Knotwork also existed in Norse, Oriental and Mediterranean art. The influences that shaped the Book of Kells and the surge of knotwork that followed could have come from any or all of these places.

The spiral art that graces such megalithic monuments as Newgrange is another matter, a truly ancient Celtic artform.

(The knotwork seen here is from a panel design in the 7th century Book of Durrow.)

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM BARDIC COLLEGE
From the Hall of the Red Poet
Sir Kay: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
What's New at Ciclipéid Éire na gCeilteach
Lugh's Arrival at Tara: A Futuristic Fable
The Tradition of Hospitality
A Brief History of Hurling
The lore of the hazelnut
CASTELL HENLLYS
Caer Doward (Caer Guorthegirn)
The Ceili: A New Musical Tradition
The mysterious Dobhar-chú
A Tour of Celtia's Cean Mor Districts
Unique elements of Celtic tales

Origins of Celtic Knotwork

Traditional Samhain
Yde Girl
The Many Faces of Fionn Mac Cumhaill