The Three Gates:

Magic is based on defining a Sacred Center and opening a Gate between the Worlds from there. There are three traditional symbols that comprise the Gate:

The Well - a doorway to the Past and our Ancestors, also a favorite of Brid's.

The Fire - a tunnel to the Future and the Gods.

The Tree - The symbol of the Whole, connecting all Three Worlds and a favorite of the Nature Spirits.

The Butterfly - symbolizes the soul, such as the souls of the dead, metamorphosis, and rebirth.

Celtic Knotwork is probably the best known style of Celtic design. The intertwined patterns of never-ending lines appealed to the Celts, symbolizing their ideas of eternal life and the intricate relationship of humanity with both the divine and the natural worlds.

Celtic denotes a people who are descended from one of the current seven Celtic "fringe" provinces of W. Europe- Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales. The Celts did not live as a single organized nation, and are difficult to pin down to one specific way of life.

The Celts lived in the centuries before the birth of Christ . The oldest remnants of Celtic culture can be found close to Eastern France, N. Italy, S. Germany, Belgium, N. Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and Spain. The word CELT itself was derived from the name Keltoi, given by the ancient Greeks to all those who lived north of the Alps.

The Celts were not a people for writing things down. They passed down their traditions and their history by word of mouth and later in their artwork and symbolism. Celtic symbolism explains how they felt about the universe, life, death and the result of the changing seasons, so important to people who lived off the land. Celtic Symbolism reflects the human spirit, the ambitions and desires, aspirations and fears, and beliefs of the "otherworld" of fellow humans three to 5 thousand years ago.

Celtic Crosses

Symbolize the bridge to the "other world" or "worlds" and also to higher energy and knowledge. This is shown by the vertical axis which represents the celestial world, and the horizontal axis that symbolizes Earthly world. Celtic Crosses are also considered solar symbols and the source of light and ultimate energy. The first Celtic crosses had four equal points representing the four directions (north, south, east and west), and the four elements (earth. air, fire and water) and were enclosed by a circle that represented the sun. It may be noted that these early crosses were also used to mark holy spots in pre-Christian times and are often associated with the Tree of Life.

The spiral
Symbolizes the continuity of life and spiritual growth. It is the constant flow of nature's processes moving outward then back inward as Heaven and Earth are joined. It is also about how death is a rebirth, whether of a human life, the seasons of the year, the astrological skies or anything in the natural or supernatural world The spiral was found on many Dolmans and gravesites. Its true meaning is not known for sure, but many of these symbols were found as far as Ireland and France. It is believed to represent the travel from the inner life to the outer soul or higher spirit forms; the concept of growth, expansion, and cosmic energy, depending on the culture in which it is used. To the ancient inhabitants of Ireland, the spiral was used to represent their sun.The spiral is the cosmic symbol for the natural form of growth; a symbol of eternal life, reminding us of the flow and movement of the cosmos. The whorls are continuous creation and dissolution of the world; the passages between the spirals symbolized the divisions between life, death, and rebirth. Another idea states that the loosely wound anti-clockwise spiral represent the large summer sun and the tightly wound, clockwise spiral their shrinking winter sun. Also a double spiral is used to represent the equinoxes, when day and night are of equal length.

The Cauldron Symbol or the three spirals

This is the common fluff bunny interpretation. Those who have studied will recognize the story of the Cauldron of Ceredwen and why it's the symbol of divine knowledge. Where the rest of it comes from must be fantasy.
Represent the Maiden, Mother and Crone aspect of the Goddess. The Cauldron is under the power of the Earth goddess Ceredwen the goddess of transformation. Transformation or Shapeshifting was an integral part of Celtic belief, this symbol is found all over Celtic artifacts. In the Cauldron, divine knowledge and inspiration are brewed.

Celtic Triangle Knot or Triquetra Knot

Triquetra - this three-pronged knot may symbolize the Celtic philosophy that everything has 3 distinct yet interlocked levels - physical, mental and spiritual. When the Celts embraced Christainity they used this symbol to represent the Trinity. Inspired by the 9th century illuminated Gospels of Lindisfarne, each triquetra (triangle) is constructed of one line to represented strength and give protection to the wearer.

Triple Spiral

This structure is called the spiral of life and was found in the remnants of an old temple from the Bronze Age in Ireland.An ancient symbol found at the core of Celtic belief , the triple spiral was used consistently in Celtic art for 3000 years. The Celts believed that all life moved in eternal cycles, regenerating at each point. Celts also believed that all important things came in three phases such as birth, death and rebirth and also mind, body and spirit. The triple spiral later became the Triskele used in Christian manuscripts. The triple spiral is also used to represent the triple goddess and triple god. My personal favorite symbol of the feminine cycle of life- Maiden, Mother, Crone.

Tuim Knot

Serpent and Dragons

Giggles, don't ya just love this fluff bunny stuff....anyone familar with the myths of Dewi here?
The dragon represents change, the necessity that we not only adapt to circumstance but we ourselves become the active agent of change.Ancient Celts believed the fiery breath of the Green Dragon would give new life Dragons are the combination of the forces of the depths. The serpent, the wings of a bird, and horns, represent regeneration and grown. The dragon is the gatekeeper to other worlds.

The Tree of Life.

The "Tree of Life" is an ancient philosophy common to many cultures and mythologies. Often regarded as an all-nourishing, all giving Mother, many myths speak of the Tree of Life or World Tree as involved in the creation of the universe. Britain was once covered by mightly oak forests, and tree reverence is a major feature within Celtic religion. Trees reflect a link between the upper and lower worlds. The Ancients envisioned the entire cosmos in the form of a tree whose roots grow deep into the underground, its branches reaching high into the heavens and sky. Druids had their teaching centers in the midst of Oak groves, and the words for wood and wisdom are similar (Welsh gwydd and gwyddon).
The Celtic Tree of Life is one of the most popular and enduring motifs of Celtic Art, found both on Northumbrian and Celtic crosses and on illuminated manuscripts. Portrayed variously as the Golden Bough, vine, or mistletoe. The ancient Celts envisioned the cosmos in form of a great tree. The roots were deep in the earth and branches stretched to the heavens. The Celtic Tree of Life is the symbol of balance between these worlds; the unification of above and below; a symbol of Balance and Harmony. It's branches and roots form a map of the cosmos wherein all things are interwoven and connected. Many Celtic Tree of Life designs emerge from a pot. This pot symbolizes the Earth Mother from which all life springs.

Birds of Rhiannon
The Welsh Goddess Rhiannon was accompanied by magical birds whose enchanted songs could awaken the dead and lull the living to sleep.

The Horse - Sovereignty, Guidance
The horse was revered by the Celts for its speed and sexual vigour. Epona and Macha are Celtic horse goddesses who watch over the land, protecting its abundance and insuring a good harvest. As protectors of nature, they both grant sovereignty over the land and are the goddesses of the stable. As goddesses of maternity, prophecy, and prosperity, they guide and protect mortals on their journeys through life.

Serpent - Earth Healer

Giggles Galore more fluffy bunny stuff
Symbols of healing and wisdom, serpents live within the depths of the Earth Mother and have mastery of all her secret knowledge and vital forces. Both Brigantia and Stroni, Celtic goddesses of healing, use the serpent's mystical powers to work their cures. Because of their wave-like movements, serpents are also assoc-iated with healing waters and sacred wells, sources of the regenerative healing powers from within the earth, and thus are protectors of health and well-being. Coming from inside the Earth, the serpent was believed to be all knowing of the world's secrets and having divine wisdom. The ram-headed serpent is named Cerrunos, who is lord of the underworld, and king of all animals. Cerrunos is the symbol of strength and virility.

Birds - Spirits of Prophecy

Birds play a prominent role in Celtic myth and legend. As symbols of freedom and transcedence, they represent the human soul in flight, liberated from earthly ties, able to soar in spiritual communication with the heavens. Returning to earth, they bring messages of prophecy and guidance, aiding mortals on their spiritual and earthly journeys.

The Bull

The bull represnted divine power and strength. For the Druids it was a symbol for the sun and the procreativity associated with its forces.

Dogs or Hounds

Often seen with various gods & goddesses, the hounds may be a domestic guardian as well as a source of healing power.

The Wheel of Being, or Fivefold Pattern.
Consisting of four directions united by a fifth. Ireland is thought to be divided similarly into Leinster, Munster, Connaught, Ulster and Meath. Likewise, the Druidic universe was patterned as Four Powers or Elements unified by a fifth � Balance.

The Labyrinth
Dates back to prehistoric time, and to many anceint cultures, and even in some today, is perceived as sacred space. It was part of many cultures including Celtic, Mayan, Greek, Cretan, and Native American.
Labyrinths are different from mazes in that they are unicursal. They have one well-defined path that leads us into the center and back out again unlike a maze which may have many paths that are meant to confuse any who enter it.

Key and step patterns

These are really spirals in straight lines. When connectied, they become a processional path, leading through a complex maze to the sacred omphalos (the navel) at the center - the point where Heaven and Earth are joined.
On the solar celebrations the adept danced the "Sacred Dance" barefoot to absorb the earth's energies, through the Labyrinth. This was a journey through progressive levels, physical, mental, and spiritual, until the vortex at the center was reached. Patterns similar to the Celtic style of ornamentation have a long history of use in various parts of the world.