Dara Celtic Knot in Stone
By Catherine Raupe
Celtic refers to people who lived in Ireland, Britain, and Western Europe from 500BC to 400 AD. It was a cultural influence that spread from the Alps and Central Europe. It replaced the Bronze Age in Ireland. The Irish Celts used the knots as symbols and signs that had powerful meanings in their lives and culture. The stories behind the knots have been passed down through stories and folklore from one generation to the next. This is how Ireland came to have such a rich culture. Most scholars believe that the knots and symbols came into existence for secular and religious reasons and purposes. Ancient Celts used the intricate knots as ornamentation for monuments, manuscripts, and temples.Typically, the knots are based on seven creations. Man, plant, mammal, bird, insect, reptile, and fish. An attribute that the knots tend to have in common is that they symbolize a continuous cycle of life. The detailed weaving of the knots represents eternity and the surrounding life, including the past, present, and future. The appearance of knot patterns occurred in the third and fourth centuries AD. This form of art was also seen in Byzantine architecture, Coptic art, Islamic art, and Celtic art. Around 450AD, spirals, key patterns, braids, plaits, knots, and step patterns became recurring motifs in Celtic art. This was also before there was any Christian influence on the Celts.
The Dara Celtic Knot's origins can be traced back to the Irish word "doire," which means "oak tree." The Knot itself is associated with the root system of the oak tree. Oak trees were seen as symbols of destiny, power, strength, wisdom, leadership, and endurance. The roots symbolized the inner strength and divine resources that humans possess. The Knot's symbolism is the same as the oak tree. It is also believed to encourage people to unite during the tough times to get through the challenges of life with each other. It also aims to remind humans of their divine inner strength that can help them gain stability during trying times.
I chose this Knot as a gift as I felt during this current time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt appropriate to gift someone something that could bring hope. When choosing which Knot to carve, I researched what each Knot meant. I decided on the Dara Knot based on the fact that it symbolizes strength. As I conducted more research and found out the Knot's deeper meaning, it seemed to fit the current world situation perfectly. I chose to carve the Knot into stone as when I am driving through Ireland and happen across old ruins, the knots are often carved into the stone. Stone is weaved into Irish life with fields bordered and dotted with stone walls that may have been standing for thousands of years. They are unique in that the stones are laid and built without cement or mortar to stabilize them. How they are laid is what stabilizes them.
I have never carved stone before, but I found it quite enjoyable, albeit tricky. Researching stone carving and the different techniques was extremely helpful, and now I have a stone carving kit for when I decide to carve stone again. I also watched many videos on stone carving, which proved to be quite satisfying.
