Celtic Knotworks has been around for nearly 20 years now, and for all of that time, one of our most popular designs has been the Celtic Tree of Life. My wife Suzie and I designed this piece together, using matching Celtic knots to represent the tree’s roots and branches. In between the two, nestled in…
Perthro is truly a Viking rune of mystery. No one’s entirely sure what Perthro represents as an object – some say pears, some say game pieces, some say a drinking cup – but taken all together, the meaning is one of comradeship, gathering and good luck. It’s important to understand that games of chance were…
Eihwaz is the Viking rune of the Yew Tree. The Yew is an evergreen tree that stands strong and vibrant, even during the coldest, snowiest part of a Norse winter. Eihwaz represents the Yew’s characteristics of strength, resilience, and regeneration. The wood of the Yew tree has traditionally been used for both weaponry and art….
Jera is the Viking rune representing the cycles of the year. The Vikings followed a calendar based on the natural progression of the seasons, with specific times for planting seed, tending crops, and harvesting. This cycle is slow, but it’s predictable, regular, and generates results. Jera is the only rune that includes two symbols. One…
If you follow Celtic Knotworks on social media, you know we’re proudly owned by Raven – the lovely black cat who shares our home and studio. Cats show up all over the place in Celtic and Norse myth, legend, and lore. Here are some of our favorite stories: Freya’s Cat-Drawn Chariot Normally chariots are drawn…
Isa is the Viking rune for ice, a substance that was a very large part of the Viking’s world. Symbolic of winter’s cold beauty, Isa represents stability and purification. Understanding Isa: References in the Historical Literature Ice dominated the Viking’s landscape for much of the year. Not surprisingly, there are many references to Isa in…
Nauthiz is the Viking rune for self-reliance. Nauthiz teaches us that we’re all responsible for meeting our own needs, even when it’s not easy. The shape of this rune looks like two crossed sticks. If you’ve ever tried rubbing two sticks together to start a fire, you know that it’s a slow, frustrating, seemingly impossible…
Hagalaz is the Viking rune for hail – the icy pellets that plummet from the heavens without any notice, crushing crops, breaking objects, injuring people. Nature’s wild forces can bring destruction and upheaval. That’s the lesson of Hagalaz: we are all vulnerable to things outside of our control. Understanding Hagalaz: Readings from the Rune Poems…
Wunjo is the Viking rune for joy. This sense of exuberant triumph can be on the personal level, or it can be something that is experienced at the community level. With Wunjo, there is no holding back: ecstasy and bliss are yours to enjoy. Wunjo is strongly associated with victory. This success can be in…
If you’re interested in Norse tradition, legend, and lore, the odds are pretty good that at some point, you’ve encountered a Vegvisir. Also known as a Viking Compass or Norse Compass, it’s said to prevent the wearer from becoming lost, even in bad weather. But what’s the story behind Vegvisir? What do we know about…
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