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Celtic Tattoos Tattoo Designs From Ancient Ireland
Celtic tattoos have experienced a massive revival in recent years. The history of the Celtic people goes back thousands of years. The early Celts displayed their skills in complex artwork particularly metal, jewelry and weapons as they were regarded as fierce warriors by the Romans. Evidence of Celtic crosses and Celtic artwork can still be found all over Ireland.Modern Celtic peoples have evolved symbols for themselves, and North Americans of Celtic descent often wear these symbols to show their Celtic origin. The ancient Celts passed knowledge down through an oral tradition of storytelling and didn't keep many written records, consequently, there is little evidence of their tattooing remaining even though Celtic cross tattoos and Celtic know tattoos are very popular designs.  Intricate Celtic tattoo design © Robert - Ontario, Canada Most of Celtic tattoo designs are taken from the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts The Book of Kells, which is on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin, my home town. This is a much later time period than the height of Celtic tattooing. Designs from ancient stone and metal work are more likely to be from the same time period as Celtic tattooing. Celtic knot tattoos are usually loops with no end or beginning symbolizing the never ending cycle of death and rebirth. Celtic animal (zoomorphic tattoo designs) designs are similar in construction but the cords terminate in feet, heads, tails. Pure knots are usually unending, unless the end of a strand is stylized into a zoomorphic element or a spiral.  Ancient Celtic symbol called a triskelle found at Newgrange © Oisín - San Antonio, USA The intricacy of Celtic knotwork defies literal translation and its meaning is to be found at a deeper level. The repeated crossing of the physical and the spiritual are expressed in the interlace of the knots. The never ending path of the strands may represent the permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith and for these reason Celtic tattoos have become so popular. For people who have a Celtic heritage, whether Irish, Scots or Welsh , getting a Celtic design can be a way of expressing pride in their heritage by reaffirming an affinity the indigenous artistic style of their ancestors. They are usually not easy designs to do, and it is strongly recommended to anyone contemplating getting one to make sure that the artist they are considering has experience in designing Celtic tattoos. Not all tattoo artist such an eye for detail and exacting line placement required for the intricate patterns particular to Celtic tattoos.  Typical Celtic knotwork tattoo © Jessie Johnson - Austin, USA
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Celtic Knot Tattoo on Shoulder
This is a stone like triquetra on my right shoulder blade. It was done by Addison Carver of InkJunky Tattoos in Marysville, WA and took all of about and ...
Original Celtic Tattoo Design
Took 4 hours and tailored by Evan Bekeschus in Cambridge ON, this tattoo really symbolizes Celtic Canadian pride.
Original Design is a Pat fish original ...
Irish Tattoo
Leprechaun done by Steve at Trinity Tattoo in Longwood, Florida.
Irish Mythical Creature Tattoo Design
Gryphon done by Steve at Trinity Tattoo in Longwood, Florida
Celtic Knot Tattoo
Its a Celtic knot for strength, artist Chris from Lucky Devil Tattoo Studio. It took around 30 minutes.
Celtic Motherhood Knot Tattoo
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My tattoo is a Celtic motherhood knot with my son's initials on the outside of it. It took about an hour to get it done. Brian was the artist at Mother'...
Celtic Cross Tattoo
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This is my Celtic cross with a banner wrapped around it. Over all it took roughly 3 hours to fully complete it although i haven't had the names put in ...
Scottish Tattoo
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my tattoo is of the Scottish thistle. It took about 45 minutes. It is 1about 5 inches long. Jazzie Jeff of 'Fat Cats Tattoos' in Champion, Ohio did it....
Celtic Triangle Tattoo
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My tattoo is of an orange Celtic Triangle, I went orange cause I love the color. It took about an hour at out local Tattoo shop here in Somerset, KY 'Liquid ...
Irish Shamrock Tattoo
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My mom and I got matching tattoos because she owns a business called 'The Shamrock Tavern'. So this is the tattoo we had done in Florida while we were ...
Knot Work Tattoo
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Knot work part of my spiritual journey through life
Part of my left arm sleeve tattoo.
Tattooist - Noel at 'Powerhouse Tattoos', Palmerston North....
Celtic Knot Tattoo Design With Wings
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I just told the guy to make something up with a triangle that went across my shoulders. It only took a couple hours to get it completed too.
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Celtic Knotwork Triquetra
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It's a typical Celtic Knotwork Triquetra, except for the shadows, and shading. The artist was Santi, at Mainstreet Tatto in Yuma AZ. This was my first ...
Black Work Warriors
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I drew the main scene when I was 16. I carried it with me after joining the Army at 17. I always knew I would be a soldier. Anyway the idea of the piece ...
Celtic Love Friendship Symbol Tattoo
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My friend and I decided to get matching tattoos in our favorite colors and so we got the celtic heart, mine in pink and hers in green. Her tattoo is on ...
Modified Celtic Cross Tattoo Design
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The tattoo took only about an hour and half, two hours tops. The artist took my basic cross design and added detail which I feel made the tattoo that much ...
Celtic / Tribal Tattoo
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My first Tattoo was a present to myself.... My artist was wonderful and worked with me to take an old design and revamp it.
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