Shield Knot Earrings

We made a trip to Ireland a little over a year ago and currently live in an Irish community.  Therefore, much of my recent jewelry has an Irish or Celtic influence.

My husband bought me some Celtic charms for Christmas, and a friend recently gave me some beads passed down from her grandmother.  This is one of my first ventures into the world of mismatched earrings, so it only felt appropriate to start with items that fill me with joy.

Although the two charms are different, they are both Celtic knots and are different representations or symbols of shields.  Celtic knots are complete loops without a beginning or end, representing the interconnectedness of life and eternity.  The Shield Knot is an ancient Celtic symbol of protection, often placed near ill people or on battle shields for warding off evil spirits or other danger.

The earring pictured left is one representation of the Celtic Shield Knot.  The earring pictured right has the general shape of what is typically perceived or represented as a shield, decorated with a Celtic knot.  Wire wrapping was used to secure the beads to the charms.

These would nicely complement an upcoming St. Patrick's Day outfit (see also the Celtic Bird Earrings).