The Celtic Store Blog
The Irish Harp - a symbol of Ireland.
The harp is the official emblem of Ireland and is a symbol of Irish identity & pride. In Ireland, it is seen everywhere on official government documents, presidential seals, passports and currency, even beloved by well known Irish companies' logos such as Guinness and Ryanair. We are proud to be the only country in the world to have a musical instrument as our national symbol.The Gaelic harp was a revered instrument, and the bards who played it were celebrated and given pride of place, and the very best of hospitality in ancient Irish society. In a society that prized music and the spoken word, the musician was second only to the poet in stature. With the breakdown of the old Gaelic society and culture heralded by the Flight of the Earls in 1607, the status of the bard and his harp began to decline. Irish culture being largely an oral culture, meant that no written records of music were kept. Folk music legend Edward Bunting was its saviour, when in 1792 he held a traditional hero festival, and notated and saved many ancient traditional folk tunes and recorded styles and terminology. In the 19th century, with revolution in the air and a re-awakening in interest in Irish culture, the harp became a symbol of Irish pride and resistance, so much so that the instrument was banned for a time. The oldest surviving harp from this period is the 15th century Brian Boru harp, (or the O'Neill Harp), which is on display in the Long Room of Trinity College in Dublin.It is a distinctly Irish design, smaller than most harps and with a unique sound, which is due to the large resonating chamber, carved from a single willow log. The official harp symbol you see on currency and government documents is based on this harp.
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Symbols of Ireland - The Tree of Life
An ancient Celtic symbol of balance, harmony and rebirthPowerful, sacred, wise beyond measure and a portal to the otherworld. Life giving, sanctuaries, symbols of rebirth. The Celts of ancient times believed that trees had several powers and were the source of all life. The symbol of the Tree of Life has thus been preserved for many centuries in Ireland. It is said to represent balance and harmony in all worlds, connecting heaven, earth and the underworld. Trees were thought to be symbols of longevity, rebirth and renewal, strength and wisdom, and were believed to be our ancestors reincarnated. The branches reach out representing the search of learning and knowledge in life. The trunk symbolises strength and unity from family, its flowers and fruit show renewed growth and the eternal life. At the base the deep roots represent reach deep into the underworld, where the Sídhe (fairly folk) resided.Trees were planted at the centre of any new settlement, providing vital resources such as food, shelter, and a meeting point for ceremonies. The pagan belief in the power of trees persists right up to present day Ireland. The countryside is dotted with 'fairy trees', which are adorned with medals, ribbons and messages from people who seek knowledge, cures and prosperity.
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Symbols of Ireland - The Shamrock
In ancient times, a tiny three-leafed plant bloomed far and wide and laid a carpet of green all over the limestone hills of Ireland.The Druids knew the Shamrock had mystical powers. To them its three leaves were a natural sign of a sacred number. This little plant was even said to warn of an approaching storm by turning up its leaves. Some believe that the shamrock has significance that is much older than Christianity, one theory being that the shamrock's three petals aligned with the ancient Celtic belief in the power of three and may have been used to demonstrate this, and their belief in the triple goddesses - maiden, mother and crone. Many believed that wearing this little sprig of green would keep them from harm. According to legend, St Patrick himself plucked a Shamrock from the ground, using the three petals to explain the blessed Trinity - one God, three people, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - helping to convert the Irish people to Christianity.Over the centuries, the Shamrock has become an instantly recognisable emblem of the Emerald Isle. The name comes from the Irish 'seamróg' which literally means 'young clover'. The shamrock is ever present on St. Patrick's day, where the shamrock that is customarily worn for the day on the lapel.Whatever the truth of the legends, the shamrock is cherished by Irish people everywhere and is worn by all nationalities around the world on Saint Patrick’s Day, one of the great international festivals. We have some beautiful Irish jewelry with Shamrock sysmbols, find your next cherished piece here
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Happy New Year!!!
Wishing a happy, healthy & peaceful new year to all our customers, enjoy 10% off until Jan 15th, choose from a wide selection of Irish & Celtic giftware, Irish Knitwear, Irish Jewelery, Irish textiles & apparel. We have a wide range of Irish caps & hats, leather belts and purses. Take care of you body & skin this new year with our fabulous Irish Skincare ranges such Green Angel, an exclusive range of seaweed and essential oil based beauty products, sourced and hand-made in Ireland, we also stock The Handmade Soap Company with their beautiful rand of clean & natural soaps, body lotions, hand creams shower gels, candles & diffusers. The Moher Soap Company has a gorgeous range of bath salts to detox, unwind & relax & not forgetting Inis a store favourite! Have a browse, treat yourself
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Symbols of Ireland - The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life - ancient Celtic symbol of balance, harmony and rebirth Symbolism. The Celtic Tree of Life meaning is ultimately about the forces of nature combining to create balance and harmony. The branches reach for the sky, the roots reach down into the ground. A representation of the link between heaven and earth, mind and body and the never-ending cycle of lifePowerful, sacred, wise beyond measure and a portal to the otherworld. Life giving, sanctuaries, symbols of rebirth.The Celts of ancient times believed that trees had several powers and were the source of all life. The symbol of the Tree of Life has thus been preserved for many centuries in Ireland. It is said to represent balance and harmony in all worlds, connecting heaven, earth and the underworld.The branches reach out representing the search of learning and knowledge in life. The trunk symbolises strength and unity from family, its flowers and fruit show renewed growth and the eternal life. At the base the deep roots represent reach deep into the underworld, where the Sídhe (fairly folk) resided. Trees were thought to be symbols of longevity, rebirth and renewal, strength and wisdom, and were believed to be our ancestors reincarnated.Trees would have been planted at the centre of any new settlement, known as Crann Bethadh(basically meaning Tree of Life), providing vital resources such as food, shelter, and a meeting point for ceremonies.The Celts are thought to have revered five sacred trees, the most powerful being the oak, which represented the centre of the world, and the most potent doorway into the underworld - indeed, the Irish word for oak is 'doir', from which the English word 'door' is thought to originate.Check out our Tree of Life items, sepecially our Solvar & other jewelry ranges. Click here to see out Tree of Life items.
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Symbols of Ireland - Trinity Knot
A symbol of never ending love & eternal life This endless, intertwining Celtic knot work symbol with three corners, possibly of pagan origin with its original meaning lost in time. The Trinity knot is one of the most recognisable symbols of Celtic culture. We do know that the number three held deep significance for the Celts, the three corners possibly representing the three intertwined domains of earth, sea and sky, or solar and lunar phases. In later centuries, The Trinity knot was adapted to Christianity, with the three points representing the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The golden age of Irish art and metalwork coincided with the period of early Irish Christianity, enlightenment, learning and faith which saw Ireland celebrated as the 'isle of saints and scholars'. Irish monks worked from dawn till dusk, working with infinite care and patience to produce handmade and lavishly illustrated versions of the gospels, stopping only to eat and pray. Today the Book of Kells remains a testimony to the artistry which produced this lasting legacy. The twists and turns of the Trinity Knot symbolise the timeless nature of the human spirit. It reflects the convergence of mind, body and spirit - a message which is as powerful and mystical today as it was in those ancient times. With no beginning and no end, this intricate decoration is a sign of eternal life and never ending love. Check out our range of trinity Knot Jewelry & give the gift of eternal love from Solvar Irish Jewlery, Boru & others. Click here to see our Trintiy Knot Jewelry.
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Symbols of Ireland - The Claddagh symbol
Many of our store visitors ask us the significance of Irish Symbols, lets start with the story of the Irish Claddagh ring.A gift of love, crafted in Ireland, the Claddagh echoes a tale of devotion retold over the centuries. Once upon a time, so the story goes, a young Irish sailor Richard Joyce was captured by Algerian pirates and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith, where he learned the trade.Far from his native land, he held the memory of his sweetheart deep in his heart. He never forgot her.Years later, he returned to Galway and his sweetheart was waiting for him, his gift to her was a Claddagh ring.Forged with the skills he had learnt during his imprisonment, it was a token of his enduring love.The legend goes that he presented her with the first Claddagh ring and they were married."With these hands I give you my heart, and I crown it with my love".The Claddagh is a unique area right outside the old city walls of Galway, just across the river from Spanish Arch.It was originally a fishing village, the fisher-folk who resided there forbidden to use 'spade or hoe', and who were ruled by an elected 'King of the Claddagh'.The Claddagh community would have the main supplier of seafood to Galway city right up until the 19th century.It is also the home of the legend of the iconic Irish Claddagh ring ('Fáinne Chladaigh' in Irish), used in Ireland as a friendship and wedding ring.The Claddagh symbol is a traditional design consisting of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, and symbolises love (heart), friendship (hands) and loyalty (crown).Did you know that how you wear your Claddagh tells others a story about you?Traditionally, when courting, if the ring was worn on the right hand with the heart facing outwards, it showed your heart was not yet taken.Once betrothed, the heart would now be turned inwards to show your heart was taken. Once married, the ring was worn on the left hand with the heart still turned inwards, to show love and loyalty.
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Bringing the best of Ireland to you.
We are so lucky in Ireland to have a wealth of traditional crafts people still producing their crafts in a traditional way. Here at the Celtic Gift Store our aim is to source lots of beautiful gifts for you in Ireland, Scotland, Wales & import them across the pond to our store in Florida. By buying from craft makers in Ireland, we are helping to support local business in Ireland often based in a rural location, providing employment all over the country from north, south, east & west. There is an amazing array to choose from, Irish Jewelry, Irish woven textiles, Irish knitwear, scarves, hats,socks, Irish Tweed, Irish Linen, Irish Apparel Adult & kids. Irish Crystal, Irish pottery & ceramics, pewter, home wares. Irish Health & Beauty products, Irish seaweed skincare, organic & natural soaps, lotions, body butters, hand creams, candles, diffusers, bath salts & more! So check in with us often, you never know what you'll find!
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