Celtic Icon or Mandala- Refloection s on Love

THE CELTIC ICON

Further Reflections on Love

Some further reflections on  LOVE and Celtic Spirituality

To begin, a short poem which demonstrates the Celtic fondness and focus on the power of Three


The Power of Three - A Short Celtic Poem

Three folds to the cloth, yet one napkin is there, 
Three joints to the finger, but still only one finger fair; 
Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear, 
Frost, snowflakes and ice, all in water their origin share, 
Three persons in God, to One God alone we make prayer.
  ( Source:- E.Hull ed, The Poem Book of the Gael, Chatto & Windrus, London , 1912)

Beware Over - Simplification  

We must beware of an over romantic view of Celtic Spirituality., particularly the Spirituality of Ireland and Great Britain. These are two Islands set on the edge of Europe  and facing the great Atlantic Ocean. Consequently,   the people  lived in a harsh and  damp climate.  Their culture (particularly in  Ireland and Scotland) was pervaded by a strong sense of the power of evil versus good , light versus darkness and of the consequent need for austere and simple living.

There are some who also over-simplify the differences  between Roman and Celtic Christianity. They offer a stark contrast between a Church dominated by a hierarchical Rome and a  monastic and Communal based  Church in  Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, a simplistic contrast between unholy and holy men, differences in the monastic  tonsure ( hair style) and the precise  dating  of Easter. But these were in many cases too simple. The main differences were more cultural and perhaps also based on the Celtic experience of a non-dualistic God, which has similarities with Hindu and Eastern  Philosophy 

While many Celtic knots are popular designs as tattoos, the one most often seen is the Trinity Knot, also known as a Triquetra. But what does the symbol mean and what significance does it hold? 

 

It almost depends on who you ask, because it holds meaning to both Christians and non-Christians, but their definitions differ based on personal beliefs. Christians believe that the three points represent the three elements of the trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ( the Great Spirit of the Aboriginal Peoples)
   
On a more spiritual level, it has also been known to symbolize life, death, and rebirth. There are also several other meanings that basically boil down to one thing: three separate entities that are inter-connected in a constant flow of energy and love.

 

An Initial Post that may be continued later