Arts Radio

February 25, 2010

Celtic Art In Cross Stitch – Basic Medieval Stitch Designs & Instructions

Filed under: Arts Radio — Tags: , , , , — arts @ 8:15 pm


Image : http://www.flickr.com

Art patterns coming from Celts are well known for being vague. Yet the intricate outlines are revered by one and all. Celtic or Celts were more of being a tribe than a complete nation. The rulers for the tribe would be a Queen, a King or even a Chieftain. The roots of their tribe were dispersed all over the European continent and went as far as some fraction of Asia.

History has it that for centuries together Celts ruled over Turkey, Spain, Germany and Britain. The simple reason as to why even today the celtic cross stitch is so famous and prominent is because the people of Celt were wandering souls thus spreading their art form to all places they went. You shall be amazed to know that the art is no less than 25 centuries old. A few patterns are dated around 500 B.C. You can view the basic introductions to this cross stitch art.

Celts were considerably documented for their innovation and also d?cor of all possessions. If compared with those times most of their possessions were embedded with highly vague celtic patterns. One could observe their unusual patterns over all their belongings like clothes, shields, utensils, vessels, and swords and even decorated their walls with similar patterns.

Their passion for their art was reflected in the their jewellery and all the way to having similar patterns as tattoos on the body areas. Not much has changed with time. They still have belief in their mystic nature, and in the old days of the civilization they had many myths and stories that depicted legendary creatures. A close look at their ornaments will revel that such creatures were an indispensable element of their life.

Today Celtic art has its limitation; the design pattern is now mostly seen on craftwork done on armory products like Swords and shields. Nothing to be disappointed about embroideries and tattoos are keeping the traditional craft alive. With time there have been some encouraging additions to this art for instance clip arts, illustrations and stamps.

Most Irish, English and Spanish or German homes are decorated with some or the other design typically showcasing celtic cross stitch. One can find such beautiful patterns on the bed sheets, pillow covers and wall frame. Its not that after centuries have passed this art is facing extinction, there many still have a taste for all things classic and ethnic in nature and style like Celtic cross stitch embroidery. What impresses most it that this form of art is relevant and appealing today as well?

Cross stitch embroidery is one such beautiful art that allows us to explore with several ideas. The patterns are so easy to learn and then follow that after a while it’s a free wheeling process of creating art out of nothing. There is so much with simple lines turning into a magnificent piece of rich colored craftsmanship.

These patterns are vivacious and audacious at the same time. The patterns are easily available and also with available for the beginners to the experts. They are just not easy to make but also can be found in patterns and designs suiting your needs, there are many like those for birthday gifts to special occasions. Knots as well as spirals patterns are there in Celtic cross stitch patterns to cater to your needs.

So what are you waiting for, go out and buy one. You could gift one of these beautiful things as a gift to friends and close ones. Why just buy for gifting away and why not make one that you could always admire for being the special art piece in the living room.

February 21, 2010

Celtic Symbolism – Revealing the Meanings in Celtic Art

Filed under: Arts Radio — Tags: , , , — arts @ 12:17 am


Image : http://www.flickr.com

There is an undeniable aura that surrounds Celtic designs and Druid traditions. Although I have strong family ties to both Ireland and Scotland, you don’t need a Celtic heritage to be enticed by the culture. It’s been said that as long as you respect Mother Earth and feel an affinity with the Celtic people you too have a Celtic soul.

The meanings behind all of the spirals, knots, labyrinths, and crosses have intrigued many people for many centuries. Since you will find all of these symbols in this book, a brief explanation of some of the more popular interpretations are listed below:



Celtic Knots:

Quite possibly the most recognized of all the Celtic symbols is the knot. The elaborately interwoven design with no end and no beginning is thought to be an expression of the Celts’ belief in eternity. The Druids and the ancient Celts believed in a life without end, with death only being a transition into a new phase. While all knot patterns contain this element of life-everlasting, certain designs are believed to carry more specific meanings.

For example, the triquestra or trefoil knot points to the importance the Druid’s placed on the number 3, the number of fate. This design was such a hallmark of the Celtic people that Irish Christians found a way to bring it into their new faith by adopting the symbol as a representation of the Blessed Trinity.



Spirals:

There seems to be a lot of debate as to the true meaning of spirals in Celtic art. The direction of the spiral and the number of rotations appears to affect the meaning behind the image, therefore we will discuss some specific configurations.

Triple Spiral- is also known as the triple Goddess or triskele, symbolizing the maiden/mother/crone phases of life or the three phases of the Moon.

Double Spiral- signifies balance. Also believed to portray the equinox, a time when day and night are equal in length.

Clockwise Spiral- While the Druids tended to favor the Moon in their symbolism, this design is actually a representation of the Sun. A loosely wound spiral would embody an expansive summer sun while a tightly wound spiral expressed the shortened days and long nights of winter.



Labyrinth or Step Patterns:

Symbolic of the journey we take in life, the labyrinth was often used during prayer or meditation. Focusing on the design reminds us that life is full of options, and open doors, as well as obstacles to overcome.



Circles:

Finally, we come to the simple circle, the building block for mandalas as well as Celtic imagery. It is a universal symbol of the cycle of life; birth-death-rebirth. The intertwining of circles is the basis for many Celtic knots with the number of circles often symbolizing something more.

Note that by combining 3 circles the aforementioned triquestra knot is formed in the center. On the other hand, five circles linked together form the circle of being; a Druid illustration of the four earthly elements being forever united by a fifth element, balance.

January 21, 2010

Celtic symbols – and shows the importance of Celtic Art

Filed under: Arts Radio — Tags: , , — arts @ 10:45 am


Image : http://www.flickr.com

It is an undeniable aura surrounding Celtic designs and Druid traditions. Although I have strong family ties to Ireland and Scotland, do not need a Celtic heritage, you let the culture. It 'been said that as long as you respect Mother Earth and an affinity with the Celtic people, you have to Celtic soul.

The meanings behind all the spirals, knots, labyrinths, and crosses have intrigued many people for centuries. There you will find allthese symbols in this book, a brief explanation of some of the most popular performances are listed below:


Celtic Knots:

Perhaps that is recognized in the first place the symbols of the Celtic knot. The design drawn up endlessly intertwine and at first it was thought that the expression of the faith of the Celts in eternity. The Druids and Celts believed in a life without end, with death only as a transition to a new phase. While all nodes in the samplethat contain this element of eternal life, some designs are considered to carry certain meanings.

For example, the trefoil knot triquestra set or points to the importance of the Druids on the number 3, the number of destiny. This project has been a hallmark of the Celts, the Irish Christians found a way to teach them their new faith by the symbol as a representation of the Holy Trinity.


Spirals

Looks like a great debate ontrue meaning of spirals in Celtic art. The direction of the spiral and the number of revolutions appear to affect the meaning of the picture, so we will discuss some specific configurations.

Triple-helix is also known as the Goddess or Triple Triskele symbolizes the girl / stage / mother crone of life, or the three phases of the moon.

Double-helical means balance. Also believed in the equinox to describe, in a time when day and night are of equal length.

ClockwiseA spiral, while the Druids tend to favor the moon in its symbolism, this design is actually a representation of SO A vaguely spiral expansion would be a summer sun while a tightly wound spiral represents the expression of the shortened days and long nights d ' winter.


Maze or Step Patterns:

Symbolic of the journey we take in life, was often the labyrinth in prayer or meditation. Attention to design reminds us that life is full of options, and openTo pass the gates, and barriers.


Clubs:

Finally we come to the simple circle, the building block for Celtic mandalas and images. It 'a universal symbol for the cycle of life, birth-death-rebirth. The plot of the circles is the basis for many Celtic knots with the number of circles often symbolizing something more.

Note that it is formed by the combination of 3 circles of nodes above triquestra in the middle. On the other hand, five circuitslinked together to form the circle of being a druid representation of the four elements of earth will always be joined by a fifth element, balance.

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