The origin of the intricate Celtic knot begins thousands of years ago when our ancestors watched the skies, measured the movement of the sun, moon, and stars, and recorded their findings with dots and lines. Around 8000 BC they saw and named seven planets (then including the sun and moon), and named the days of the weeks after them. They ordered the names of the days by calculating the speed of the planets through their orbits. Megaliths were built to increase the accuracy of their observations. The tools they used to lay out these great stone observatories were strings and rods.
Women were spinning and using
thread tens of thousands of years ago. Cords and threads were made by hand, and
had many uses other than making their clothing. Cords were used for measuring and
were divided into specific lengths by knots (Dunan-Enzmann). The sections of
strings were used to calculate how to divide a circle, to measure time from the
passing of stars, and thus to predict the seasons.
Since then
knots have acquired many symbolic meanings, and are also used as an information
system. For centuries knots have symbolized engagement because knots, like
engagements, are binding. In the Celtic, Hindu, and Chinese cultures, knots are
designed into wedding garments, representing continuity, longevity, and
eternity. Sending messages through love knots is popular in many cultures.
Knots are used in heraldic design, the most famous of which is the Bowen knot – or more accurately an “unknot,” a symbol of the family name. Weaving the string over and under creates intricate patterns, which are used to represent the genealogy of monarchies and nobles. The actual design of the knot is likely inherited from generations of families who were involved in navigation, textiles, or stone masonry.
Another similar function of string, cords,
and ribbons is the Maypole. You must have three or more to braid. Maypoles have
three, four, five, six, and more ribbons that are woven in and out, over and
under by the dancing children. The songs that accompany the dances in ancient
times were meant to help children remember how to read the stars, remember the
four directions, the eight winds, and to measure time. When the weaving is
finished the ribbon is removed from the pole and flattened, and the knot that
remains is a physical representation of a mathematical equation necessary to
know how to divide a 360 degree circle into single degrees, necessary to find
longitude.
Celtic knots are a graphic form of
mathematical processes which derive mostly from calendrics. There are countless
beautiful decorative letters in the illuminated manuscripts, all designed to
preserve the knowledge of how to divide a circle, use the Venus clock, and find
longitude. It is easy to see how the woven line which makes these intricate, beautiful
patterns could be done with strings, especially if you have ever played cat’s
cradle.
