While Celtic designs have been around for centuries, it might surprise some people that Celtic tattoos only became popular worldwide in the last decade or so. That’s because there are plenty of people who like the cool yet simple designs and all of the great Celtic tattoo meanings out there. If you’re interested in getting one of the many Celtic tattoo designs, take a look at the information below to narrow down your choices to ones that make sense for your personality.

Celtic mythology and culture pre-dates the strong Christian authorities that eventually overtook the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Wales. These were the nations where Celtic languages were spoken and where the culture developed over hundreds of years, eventually absorbing the Christian influence. This is exactly why many Christians decide to get these “alternative” designs to show their pride in their faith. You will see that many of the most popular Celtic Christian tattoo designs are simply tweaks to other popular Christian symbols that everyone has been seeing throughout their lives.

The ancient culture of the Celts is rich in artistic tradition and storied mythology. In fact, the most popular of all of the Celtic designs are the ones that have been around since the beginning. The symbolism might not be obvious to outside observers, but that can add even more mystery to many Celtic tattoos. Of course, it’s a good idea to know all about the new and the old Celtic tattoo meanings that are out there so you can be sure that the designs make sense for you.

The most common Celtic images are taken from the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the New Testament. The manuscripts are ornately decorated with intricate knots, intersecting and interlacing in an endless loop to demonstrate the eternity of God. The knots are often designed into a cross shape, emphasizing the influence of Christianity. What’s great about these Celtic knots is that you can make small tweaks to them to make your design unique. Some people decide to stick with the classic all-black design but will alter the lines a bit. Others will stick with the more tried and true designs but they will add in a bit of color to possibly make it more meaningful to them.