The CELTS: An overview (FYI)

THE CELTS: The Celts emerged over two thousand years ago in what is now Switzerland and Austria. From central Europe, they spread out over the centuries to regions as far east as Turkey and as far west as Ireland. In their expansion, the Celts invaded Greek and Roman territories, and in the wake of these invasions, the Celts inspired both fear and awe among the natives of Greece and Rome who viewed them as formidable warriors. Much of what we know of the Celts today comes to us from descriptions of their culture writen by Greek and Roman observers who agreed that the Celts were a fearsome society of barbarians whose unbridled passion in warfare made them mighty opponents. Though they feared the tall, blond tribes from the North whose customs they did not understand, the Greeks and Romans also respected them for their bravery, their craftsmanship, and their artistry.

Like the Greeks and Romans before us, we speak of a people called the Celts, even though the term "Celtic" defies simple explanation. At best, it describes a fusion of traits common to diverse and far-flung tribes of central Europe and Asia Minor. Similar customs, languages, and modes of dress, as well as, religious beliefs and practices and artistic styles and motifs unite the otherwise disparate groups who shared them into a culture we call the "Celts".

Over the centuries, the continental Celts disappeared as a distinct people, but remnants of their culture survived into the Middle Ages in the western-most reaches of former Celtic lands, such as Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Although successive waves of invaders might have conquered the Celts, they never obliterated the Celtic culture in these lands. Instead, the invaders assimilated the Celtic people and culture into their own, and though transformed, the Celtic expression remained evident in the emerging artwork of Christianized Scotland, Wales, and especially, Ireland.

Recently, Celtic art has enjoyed a renaissance. Modern artisans, inspired by the beauty and intricacy of the old Celtic designs, have recreated them and given them new breath. The most popular Celtic motifs to receive modern interpretation include the spiral, the Celtic cross, the Tree of Life, the labyrinth, and Celtic knotwork. For more details on these see Celtic Symbols (FYI)

Angela Thibault, designer for Golden Spiral Jewelry, has incorporated these motifs into beautiful jewelry. Some designs are reproductions of actual ancient Celtic designs.