|
||
There are many couples, even those who are not Irish, who prefer to have Celtic wedding bands. This is probably because these wedding rings are not merely silver or gold bands but they carry with them a long tradition and history as well as a wealth of symbolism. It is not surprising that there are a lot of these couples who want to know what is really behind the silver or gold Celtic wedding bands that they have chosen.
The Origin of the Celtic Wedding Bands
Celtic wedding bands originate from Ireland. The Celts were people who lived in the country and other parts of Central and Western Europe during the first millennium BC. Most of the Celtic wedding bands get their designs from manuscripts belonging to the Irish, and the Book of Kells is a great example of these. The influences that can be seen in the designs of Celtic wedding rings come from the Irish church and partly from the Christian missionaries. This is because these were the main religious influences that dominated the Celtic religion.
Celtic wedding bands are known to be among the most traditional wedding rings and are quite popular up to this day. In the early days though, these bands represented status and wealth as well as fidelity. They have become family heirlooms because of their symbolism, grandeur and exquisite craftsmanship.
The Craftsmanship That Comes with Celtic Wedding Bands
Men and women can both have Celtic wedding bands. Most, if not all of them, are specially handcrafted by craftsmen in Ireland before they are distributed around the world. Because silver or gold Celtic wedding bands are characterized by intricate designs, they come with specific width and sizes. As such, these wedding rings cannot be resized, so special care should be done in choosing one.
There are different designs of the Celtic wedding ring and among the most well known are the Claddagh, the Celtic Knot, and the Celtic Warrior Shield. There are particular symbolisms to these designs. Thus they all come with different meanings. The Claddagh wedding bands for example, with their design of two joined hands holding a heart with a crown on top, represents friendship, love, and loyalty. Although most of the knot designs of the Celtic wedding bands come from the Irish, there are also others that have Scottish or Welsh influences.
What to Look for in Celtic Wedding Bands
Whether you are planning to buy gold or silver Celtic wedding bands, you should be aware that there is a certain characteristic that you have to look for to ascertain that they are really Celtic in design. Make sure that the designs are continuous because this is the traditional characteristic of Celtic wedding bands that symbolizes eternity. Although silver and yellow gold Celtic wedding bands are more common, ones made with platinum and white gold can also be bought. There are even those that are set with precious stones along with all the handcrafted knotworks.
You can visit Irish Indeed! and take a look at their Celtic wedding bands. With their kind of prices and designs, it won't be long before you have chosen the Celtic wedding ring that you will absolutely love.
In choosing wedding rings, it is also best that couples understand the meanings of the symbols that could be on their rings. While the wedding ring itself, which is a circle that has no beginning and no end, symbolizes everlasting commitment and love, there are also others that are crafted with symbols like the Celtic wedding bands that hold different meanings.
Understanding the Celtic Symbols in Celtic Wedding Bands
Celtic wedding bands have become quite popular nowadays. This is because many jewelers have been inspired to make their own works of art from the traditional Celtic designs used in the past. The most common Celtic designs are silver or gold Celtic wedding bands such as the Claddagh and the Celtic Knot.
The Claddagh Wedding Bands
The Claddagh wedding bands are the kinds of Celtic wedding bands that feature a design of two joined hands holding a heart that has a crown on top. Originally crafted by a fisherman by the name of Richard Joyce in the seventeenth century, the joined hands in the Claddagh wedding band stands for friendship, while the crown is the symbol for loyalty. The heart is, of course, the symbol for love.
The Celtic Knots in Celtic Wedding Bands
The knotwork is very much a characteristic of Celtic wedding bands, and it is one of the well-known styles of the Celts' artistic expression. The interwoven knots in most Celtic designs have a universal meaning that signifies two unlike paths brought and woven together. In weddings, this means that the lives of the husband and wife are interconnected with each other. As these interwoven knots also seem to have no beginning and no end, they are also meant to represent eternity.
There are different types of Celtic Knots commonly seen in gold or silver Celtic wedding bands, and one of these is the Trinity Knot or what is also known as the Love Knot. The interconnecting three points of the knot in this type of Celtic wedding bands are said to represent both the Christian and Celtic symbolism. For the ancient Celts, these points represent the Three Gods and Goddesses while for the Christians, the knot symbolizes the Holy Trinity. The knot pattern of the Trinity Knot, however, is seen to symbolize everlasting love, eternal life, and spiritual growth.
Knowing Which Symbolic Celtic Wedding Bands to Buy
So, if you and your groom are planning to buy Celtic wedding bands and you are very particular about symbolism, then it is good that you are now armed with information on the meanings of the symbols featured on these rings. With this, you will be able to choose the bands with the symbols that represent the foundations on which you want to build your marriage. If you want what the symbols of the Claddagh wedding bands stand for, then you should go for them or the Trinity Knot rings if these are what you prefer.
Look into the offerings of Celtic wedding bands on Irish Indeed! You will not only get the bands with the right Celtic symbols that you want but will also be able to buy them with a price that is just within your budget.