| Celtic design tattoos, both because of their | | | | cycles of life and death, and the perfect and |
| ancient historical symbolism and because they are | | | | eternal circle. |
| simply among the most beautiful tattoos in the | | | | The universal appeal of Celtic design tattoos, in |
| entire tattoo universe, are among the most | | | | fact, many lie in their abstract nature. With flowing |
| requested of all tattoo designs. Both men and | | | | spirals, squares, and geometrical forms, they are |
| women of all ages have become intrigued with | | | | more of an attempt to create an emotion in the |
| the aura surrounding Celtic design tattoos, and are | | | | viewer rather than to be representational art. |
| hoping some of it will rub off on them. | | | | One of the most delightful elements of Celtic |
| The inspiration for Celtic design tattoos originated | | | | design tattoos, in fact, is in their portrayal of |
| in Great Britain, dating as far back as drawings | | | | animals. The animals in Celtic design tattoos are as |
| from the sixth century which appeared in | | | | complex as the Celtic knots; cats, deer, dogs, |
| manuscripts of Scripture which was copied in | | | | lions, tigers, birds and dragons are portrayed |
| elaborate calligraphy by the Christian monks of | | | | when the lines and thread of plaitwork, instead on |
| the period. The manuscript decoration was | | | | forming eternal knots and loops, end with the |
| extremely ornate, but Celtic design tattoos can | | | | depiction of animal heads, feet and tails. Many of |
| be as intricate or as simple as their wearers | | | | the animals are inspired by medieval depictions of |
| desire. | | | | animals, and have a highly appealing air of whimsy. |
| The Monks responsible for the Celtic manuscript | | | | The shamrock, of course, is one of the oldest |
| had the responsibility of combining the pagan | | | | Celtic design tattoos; while for the Irish it signifies |
| imagery of the Celts with their accepted Christian | | | | excellence, and even has religious significance as a |
| symbols, to aid in the evangelization of the Celtic | | | | sign of the Holy Trinity, it is most widely known |
| peoples. The Celtic design tattoos which most | | | | as a good luck charm. Those of Irish descent are |
| clearly illustrate this blending of symbolism is the | | | | especially fond of using an Celtic Shamrock tattoo |
| Celtic cross tattoo, which is a traditional Christian | | | | to display their pride in their heritage. |
| cross with a circle at its center said to represent | | | | The one drawback to having Celtic deign tattoos |
| the ancient Druidic symbol for the sun. | | | | done is that they demand a tattoo artist with an |
| Celtic design tattoos are most often known for | | | | exceptional amount of skill. Their symmetrical |
| their fascinating knots and interlacing, or | | | | designs require a precise outline and steady had in |
| "plaitwork" which will entertain viewers endlessly | | | | the inking process, and some of them can take |
| as they try to unravel them. The Celtic knot is | | | | hours to complete. But done properly, Celtic |
| another Druidic symbol, evoking the unending | | | | design tattoos are true works of art! |