Origin and History of Celtic Knots Research Paper

Origin and History of Celtic Knots - Research Paper Example Computer Science is interested in generating knots through special software. Religion is interested in Celtic knots because of its symbolic structuring of doctrine, the illumination of scriptural texts and the inscription of sacred architecture. My thesis is that the cross, the circle and the Tree of Life are archetypal images which provide a foundation for understanding the history and origin of Celtic Knot art forms, and the elemental meaning is a call to unity, renewal and balance. Body. There are a variety of types of Celtic knots and they are, and have long been, used in jewelry, fabricated in metal, carved from stone and bone, and gracing stone pillars, as protection symbols over doorways, used to illuminate scriptural texts, and for magic and divination. The Trinity knot is quite famous, symbolizing water, fire, earth for nature-based spirituality or, for the Christian Church, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The spiral is a common pattern and dates back to 2500 BCE. It is thought to represent growth and the cycle of life.There are key and labyrinth designs, and zoomorphic designs, the latter involving birds and animals as part of the interwoven design.Here are images of the main two I am choosing to focus on: the Celtic Cross with a circle, and the Tree of Life. ... Modern day aficionados think of the ancient Celtic peoples as inherently spiritual, nature-connected, intuitive, in touch with alternate realms. This answers a longing in contemporary people.17 This results in a lot of speculative information about the Celts, their art, its meaning and its origin. Celtic knots first appeared in the British Isles during the 7th century, suddenly became extremely popular, and remained the primary art style through the tenth century.18 It was used in decorating sacred books, the most famous of which are The Book of Kells, The Book of Durrow, and the Lindisfarme Gospels.19 A fifth century copy of the book of Acts is considered to be the piece that links Middle Eastern and Celtic knot work.20 Some scholars believe that Celtic knots were adopted originally from Egypt.21 A primary symbol, the cross with circle, can be traced back to ancient Egypt, The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol, a cross with a circle above. It is a symbol still sacred to Egyptian Coptics.22 The cross represents intersection and opposition.23 The Circle represents eternity, continuity and infinity.24. Together, the symbol is one of regeneration.25 The circle is a rough approximation of the female reproductive organ, and the cross is a rough representation of the male reproductive organ.26 In Egyptian imagery, the Ankh is held in the hands of gods and near the lips of pharaohs, as though giving them breath.27 The cross and the circle are both archetypes. Archetypes, a core element in the psychology of Carl Jung, are a common pattern of image structures and shared meaning which can be identified in dreams, myths, legends, symbols, and are channels for psychic energy.28 As archetypes, the circle and cross have deep and ancient meaning. Their

Cyrus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cyrus - Essay Example One of King Cyrus’ servants, after being given one of the singing girls, says that, â€Å"I would far rather be serving on this campaign than sitting at home† (Xenophon, 2010). This quote reveals the servant’s loyalty to King Cyrus. He offers loyalty as an appreciation for being given a singing girl. Loyalty is also seen through trust. People trust unquestionably other individuals who are loyal to them. Cyrus sends for his trusted servant, Araspas, whom they have been friends since childhood. King Cyrus entrusts Araspas with guarding the captive Susian woman, Pantheia the wife of Abradatas his rival. Araspas loyalty is earlier doubted when he says, â€Å"have you seen the lady whom you bid me guard† (Xenophon, 2010). This is because he is not sure to fulfill his master’s will fully as he stumbles by falling prey to the captive’s beauty. Love is voluntary to human will. Therefore, beauty should not be compromised to love, but it should only enhance the process of loving someone. The use of metaphor is observed and is majorly used to expound on beauty. Beauty has been equated to â€Å"fire† while love to flowers. This is because â€Å"fire burns all men equally, it is its nature to do so, but these flowers of beauty, one man loves them and another loves them not, nor does every man love the same† (Xenophon, 2010). In contradiction to this statement, Cyrus reiterates the aspect of slavery in relation to love. He gives an instance of men who vowed to stand against every form of life circumstances to remain strong willed and never falls. However, when love knocks their doors to their souls, they fall and even refuse to let go and acknowledge. Love is eternal to human nature since we are bound forever to whoever we choose to love. Our souls are imprisoned by love the moment we allow it to. Xenophon shows th is through rhetoric where Cyrus asks, â€Å"If love be voluntary, why cannot a man cease to love when they forget, the bigger problems they were able to overcome?†