Published: 9 November 2022, last updated: 21 February 2024
It also featured in Celtic art, before the influence of Christianity on the Celtic culture – and from 450 AD onwards, the knot motif began to appear in religious manuscripts and artwork. The earliest known example of this comes in a fragment of a Gospel Book from the 7th century, which can now be found in the library of Durham Cathedral.
One of the most famous examples of Celtic knots in religious manuscript can be found in the Book of Kells. An illuminated manuscript written in Latin, it contains the first four Gospels of the New Testament, and takes its name from the Abbey of Kells, in County Meath, where the book was kept for centuries.
The book is widely considered to be a masterpiece of calligraphy and artwork. It contains traditional Christian iconography, as well as examples of intricate Celtic knots. It’s one of the best examples of Insular artwork, a genre of art that developed from Celtic Christianity, and heavily features interwoven Celtic knots.
Another key example of this type of artwork can be found in the Lindisfarne Gospels, which was produced around 715-720 on the isle of Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland. The Gospels recounts the life and teachings of Jesus, through intricate design including Celtic, Germanic and Irish styles, including detailed knot work.
The designs featured in both of these manuscripts were more intricate than ever before, featuring knotted designs and interwoven plaits, which differed from the fairly simple designs of previous centuries. Over the following centuries, Celtic knots became even more elaborate, and different styles were developed.
Although once primarily used in religious artwork, Celtic knots are now used in a variety of both religious and secular designs. Knots were often used in armour, weaponry and jewellery as well as religious buildings, tombstones and manuscripts.
