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The History of the Aran Sweater
Aran is a style of sweater that takes its name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Often known as a Fisherman sweater, they are distinguished by their use of complex textured stitch patterns, several of which are combined in the creation of a single garment. Originally, Aran Sweaters were knitted using unscoured wool that retained its natural oils which made the garments water-resistant and meant they remained wearable even when wet. However, today most Aran Cardigans & Sweaters are knit with a softer yarn called Merino in the natural báinín (bawneen) colour and in other colours reflective of the Irish countryside.
Each Aran sweater exudes history and every stitch pattern has a traditional interpretation and distinctive story, often of religious significance, but mostly of life’s experience and journey; for example, the honeycomb is a symbol of the hard-working bee. The cable, an integral part of the fisherman’s daily life, is said to be a wish for safety and good luck when fishing. The diamond stitch is a wish of success, wealth and treasure, while the basket stitch represents the fisherman’s basket, a hope for a plentiful catch. Most knitting patterns were never written down but passed down from generation to generation using up to 24 different aran stitches with infinite combinations.
Belleek Trinity Knot Collection
What Does the Celtic Trinity Knot/Triquetra Mean?
Although there are many theories as to the definition of this popular design, each one mentions the significance of the three intersecting loops, which, depending on your beliefs, can be interpreted in a number of ways such as Father-Son-Holy Spirit, Mother-Crone-Maiden or mind-body-spirit. As with the Claddagh, the number 3 represented in the Trinity Knot holds a special connotation within Celtic symbology.
Sometimes featuring a circle surrounding the three intersecting arc, this circle is said to symbolize spiritual unity. As a circle has no beginning and no end it signifies the eternity of faith.
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The Trinity Knot in Jewelry
Popular in the design of Celtic jewelry, the Triquetra adorns many pieces of Celtic jewelry such as Celtic pendants and Celtic earrings, which are popular Irish gifts and souvenirs. This popularity could be linked to modern representations of the Triquetra, such as its use in America TV programme Charmed upon the cover of the “Book of Shadows”, its use within the design of the Led Zeppelin Album – Led Zeppelin IV or perhaps its representation in the fashion label Lionheart Apparel Clothing. At Blarney Woollen Mills we love to combine tradition with contemporary twists. This is why we aim to provide our customers with both the traditional trinity knot and also the most contemporary Trinity Knot jewelry. Shop our full range of Trinity Knot jewelry.
