Celtic Engagement Rings

Celtic Designs Coloring Book

Celtic Designs Coloring Book

Celtic Tattoos: Meanings Of Ancient Celtic Symbols

Many people today are getting Celtic tattoos. These ancient symbols have awakened some real sense of meaning. Perhaps this is because the modern world does not have much to do with tradition and symbols and there is a human need for these things. This is what writers like Joseph Campbell have said. Although he wasn't talking about tattoos, that is definitely one way that people are reclaiming ancient practices.

What is the origin of Celtic symbols such as knotwork, spirals, animal forms and crosses? In some cases, it goes back hundreds of years to books like the Book of Kells. The original version of this beautiful illuminated manuscript is now in Dublin, at Trinity College. It contains many of the Celtic style spirals, knotwork and zoomorphic (animal) images that have become so popular as tattoos.

Some Celtic symbols, however, go back even further in time. The Celts can be traced as far back as around 500 B.C. They did not keep written records, so much of what we know about them comes from either oral tradition or from what their enemies, such as the Romans, wrote about them. Historians believe that the Celts at some point moved to lands such as Britain and Ireland that were originally occupied by earlier, unknown people. These earlier tribes created some of the early symbols, such as triple spirals, and certain types of crosses, that the Celts would later adapt as their own.

There is no doubt, however, that the Celts developed an artistic style of their own.

The fact that they took some of their images from earlier civilizations is not unusual.

Every culture in history has done this --the Romans, for example, borrowed from the Greeks, who borrowed from the Egyptians, and so on.

Perhaps what is most distinctive about Celtic artwork is the focus on symbols that have to do with infinity, or the ever-repeating cycles of life. This can be seen most clearly in Celtic knots, which beautifully illustrate the connected and never-ending movement of all things. Spirals also convey this kind of idea. Today we see many people wearing tribal type Celtic tattoo designs based on knotwork or spirals.

More complex Celtic artwork, such as the zoomorphic animal images also use spiral designs and these are often rendered in modern Celtic tattoos. When it comes to tattoos, these images can be made even more striking by using vivid colors. Animals depicted in traditional Celtic designs include birds, reptiles, horses and dragons, all of which can make great tattoos. Other images that are popular as Celtic tattoos include harps, Celtic crosses and swords.

Some people get Celtic tattoos to express their heritage, but this isn't always the case. In today's multicultural world, you don't have to be of Irish, Scottish or Welsh ancestry to appreciate Celtic art and people of all backgrounds get Celtic tattoos.

With such a rich and diverse wealth of material to choose from, it's likely that Celtic tattoo designs will remain popular for a long time.

About the Author

Find out more about Celtic Symbols and Celtic Tattoo Designs!

Celtic Stained Glass-Coloring Book Celtic Stained Glass-Coloring Book $5.35 With this exciting volume, coloring book enthusiasts can participate directly in recreating the glories of Celtic art. Included are 16 full page photos of authentic Celtic designs and motifs rendered from the Book of Kells and other sources. Printed on translucent paper, these intricate vignettes feature strange mythical beasts, Celtic crosses, saints and other characteristic subjects. Colorists of all ages can simply color the plates and hang them in a window or near a light source for superb stained glass effects. Paperback, 16 pages. ISBN:048627456X. DOVER

Celtic Design-Coloring Book Celtic Design-Coloring Book $3.71 The designs in Celtic illuminated manuscripts represent a distinctive fusion of native Irish, Germanic and Near Eastern motifs. Graphic artist Ed Sibbett has brilliantly captured the intricacy and beauty of this original art tradition in 37 drawings based on illustrations in the Book of Durrow, the Gospels of St. Willibrord, and the illustrious Book of Kells. Among the motifs are the characteristic Celtic interlacings, geometric-animal combinations, and decorative initials, plus powerful ornaments and symbolic abstractions of animals and people. A portrait of St. Matthew appears as a center spread, not backed up, and that may be taken out and framed. Captions identify the source of each picture, and explain the iconography. Paperback, 48 pages. ISBN:486237966. DOVER

Celtic Designs Stained Glass Coloring Book $7.27 No Synopsis Available

Celtic Animals Coloring Book Celtic Animals Coloring Book $3.55 In this volume, Celtic art specialist Mallory Pierce has skillfully rendered 43 ready-to-color illustrations depicting such improbable conceptions as two men bound together by the same beard, a surreal beast entangled in its own arms and legs, a mermaid enveloped by endless strands of her hair and other delightful grotesqueries. Adapted from authentic original artwork, these eye-catching, inventive and frequently humorous vignettes will charm artists, craftspeople and coloring book enthusiasts who share a love for traditional Celtic art. Paperback, 48 pages. ISBN:486297292. DOVER

Infinite Designs Coloring Book $10.11 How many designs can you make from one pattern? That`s up to you! Just by changing color schemes in this unusual coloring book you can emphasize different shapes. Thirty different geometric patterns include lattices, interlocking shapes, zigzags, optical illusions, brickwork patterns, and other eye-catchers. Color all or just parts of these crisp black-and-white designs to create spectacular effects.

Celtic Animals Coloring Book $4.1 No Synopsis Available

Celtic Design Coloring Book $5.15 No Synopsis Available

Simply Circular Designs Coloring Book Simply Circular Designs Coloring Book $3.55 Allow your imagination to take off with the intriguing designs in this unusual coloring book A welcome departure from traditional coloring-book images, these 30 patterns will unleash your inner artist.Use crayons, pencils, inks, paints, or a combination of media to create amazing kaleidoscopic possibilities. Triangles, rectangles, pentagons, and other geometric figures, graphically rendered in circular symmetry, take on a pop-art look when colorists apply their own unique shading techniques and color theory.A treasury for designers, artists, and craftspeople, this collection will captivate coloring book fans who delight in challenges.Book specifications: paperback, 30 pgs., 8 1/4 in. x 11 in.Publisher: Dover, 2005.

Dazzling Designs Coloring Book Dazzling Designs Coloring Book $3.55 With this delightful coloring book, you can lose yourself in a wonderland of complex, intriguing patterns that will stimulate and challenge your imagination. Thirty ingeniously constructed designs consist of wonderfully intricate interlocking shapes that form dazzling optical illusions, offering ample opportunities for imaginative and inventive coloring. Visual illusions are always fun to look at; coloring these masterly, mind-bending constructions will add even more enjoyment and promote a fresh awareness of the ways in which pictorial puzzles can stretch our minds and probe the limits of perception. Paperback, 30 black-and-white illustrations, full-color illustrations on covers, 32 pages. ISBN:048640031X. DOVER

Designs Coloring Book GeoDesigns $5.64 From hand-crafted quilts and textiles to tessellating art and math to optical illusions-designs are repeated, so you can color them different ways. Ages 4+. Paperback book measures 8 1/2 in. x 10 in. with 23 images. Mindware. ISBN 1892069024

Southwest Indian Designs Coloring Book Southwest Indian Designs Coloring Book $3.55 Clearly rendered illustrations on 30 pages display authentic designs taken from rugs, masks, sandpaintings, pottery, jewelry, baskets, and other artifacts created by southwestern Native Americans. Geometrical designs on a Navajo woven saddlebag, a Chumash rock painting of mythical creatures, a Hopi kachina doll, an Apache "crown headdress," among other permission-free images, will delight coloring book fans and be invaluable to designers and craftspeople. 32 pages. Paperbound book measures 8 1/4 in. x 11 in. Dover Publications 2003. ISBN 0486430421

Infinite Designs Coloring Book Infinite Designs Coloring Book $3.31 How many designs can you make from one pattern? That's up to you Just by changing color schemes in this unusual coloring book you can emphasize different shapes. The thirty different geometric patterns include lattices, interlocking shapes, zigzags, optical illusions, brickwork patterns, and other eye-catchers. Color all or just parts of these crisp black-and-white designs to create spectacular effects.Book specifications: paperback, 32 pgs., 8 1/4 in. x 11 in.Publisher: Dover, 2006.

Chinese Designs Coloring Book Chinese Designs Coloring Book $3.71 Thirty traditional designs grace the pages of this unique coloring book. Skillfully adapted from authentic motifs, they depict a pair of peacocks amid lush blossoms; a serpent-like dragon with scaly skin; an idyllic waterscape, revealing a gazebo and pavilion with steep, curved roofs; lilies and foliage in an eye-catching circular configuration; and other richly detailed illustrations. 32 pages. ISBN 0486420833

Southwest Indian Designs Coloring Book $9.58 Clearly rendered illustrations on 30 pages display authentic designs taken from rugs, masks, sandpaintings, pottery, jewelry, baskets, and other artifacts created by southwestern Native Americans. Geometrical designs on a Navajo woven saddlebag, a Chumash rock painting of mythical creatures, a Hopi kachina doll, an Apache crown headdress, and more. Author: Gaspas, Dianne Series Title: Dover Pictorial Archives Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 30 Publication Date: 2003/11/21 Language: English Book Type: Coloring Dimensions: 10.70 x 6.28 x 0.15 inches

The Complete Book of Celtic Designs $15.68 A fantastic source for anyone seeking inspiration for Celtic projects or ideas, this reference features clearly drawn, intricate designs including flowing knotwork images, stylized frames and borders, decorative motifs, beautifully woven crosses, and much more. A colorful gallery of finished pieces is included to show how the designs, which can be reproduced to any scale, can be applied to finished pieces of work.

Paisley Designs Coloring Book $8.21 Woven from sumptuous motifs inspired by the elements of nature, paisley patterns derive from a centuries-old art tradition. Colorists will enjoy hours of creative pleasure with this all-original gallery of paisley designs - 30 full-page illustrations swirling with gorgeous organic themes.

Snowflake Designs Coloring Book $4.1 No Synopsis Available

Japanese Designs Coloring Book $5.15 No Synopsis Available

Organic Designs Coloring Book $4.15 No Synopsis Available

African Designs Coloring Book $4.15 No Synopsis Available

Aztec Designs Coloring Book $2.97 No Synopsis Available

Ancient Egypt Designs-Coloring Book Ancient Egypt Designs-Coloring Book $3.55 Gold glints from the tomb of Tutankhamen... gold and the thousand shades of the Nile lotus... here in 39 authentic pictures are designs taken from Tut's tomb and other shrines at Thebes, from the 18th to 20th Dynasties. As rendered by noted designer Ed Sibbett, Jr., they can be colored in the manner of the Egyptian painters or any way your imagination suggests. Some of these motifs, taken from tomb ceilings, murals, wood sculpture, vases, and papyrus paintings, have been featured in the traveling Tutankhamen exhibit. Identifying captions with historical information accompany each drawing, and a brief introduction and glossary of gods complete this coloring book, a fine source of ancient Egyptian historical design, and a pleasure to color in any medium. Paperback, 48 pages. ISBN:048623746X. DOVER

Mr. Clark's Awesome Designs Coloring Book $17 Mr. Clark's Awesome Designs Coloring Book Welcome, I bring you some of my most interesting hand-done, all original designs that I'm sure all ages will enjoy. Through the years I showed my designs to kids and the feedback I got was awesome, (the word they used). They suggested I display my designs in a coloring book, which I decided to do. Kids of all ages really seem to enjoy coloring them in. My drawings vary from simple, easy to color to the more challenging designs. Are you up for the challenge? So keep those crayons and colored pencils sharp When you're done coloring them in, you can hang them on the wall, hang them just the way they are or even trace over them. Also try transferring the design to your favorite shirt for that awesome look. But no matter what, you're sure to enjoy hour after hour, day after day coloring in my awesome and entertaining creations This is Volume One.

Kaleidoscopic Design Coloring Book $12.68 This coloring book contains some of the most fascinating and optically irresistible designs ever created. 30 black-and-white designs based on patterns made by a kaleidoscope (a Greek term meaning "beautiful form"), are ready to be enhanced with a variety of coloring media, giving young artists an opportunity to exercise their creativity in coloring a host of spectacular images. Similar in conception to Spyros Horemis` immensely popular Visual Illusions Coloring Book (now in its 22nd printing!), this unique book will delight and inspire designers, artists, craftworkers, and colorists of all ages.

Aztec Designs Coloring Book (Paperback) $10.22 Rich in symbolism, the art of the Aztecs offers compelling glimpses into a vanished civilization. This book presents 30 meticulous re-creations of the ancient culture`s traditional designs. Derived from authentic ceramics, statues, weapons, and other priceless artifacts, the images portray gods, rulers, warriors, and animals, plus secular and sacred activities.

Japanese Designs Coloring Book Japanese Designs Coloring Book $3.71 Filled with the timeless beauty of Japanese art, this ready-to-color collection of 30 full-page, black-and-white designs depicts popular motifs in the best Japanese artistic tradition--from highly stylized creatures of the sea and air to lush blossoms and sinister dragons. A delight for colorists of all ages, a versatile source of inspiration and permission-free art for designers, artists, and craftworkers. 32 pages. ISBN 0486423778

Mandala Designs Coloring Book Mandala Designs Coloring Book $3.55 Forty-four ready-to-color original designs, based on an ancient motif symbolizing "universe" or "wholeness," will challenge and excite colorists of all ages. Typically containing circles, squares, triangles, and other geometrical figures rotating around a common center, these intriguing patterns will provide a wealth of inspiration, as well, for artists, designers and craftspeople. 48 pages. ISBN 048641034X

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 1:47 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.