| Celtic shield knots can be identified as any of the | | | | inside of a circle and touching the sides of the |
| Celtic knots with for distinct corner areas. They | | | | circle, which forms four open spaces. To the |
| usually resemble a square but sometimes they | | | | Norse it was known as Odin's cross, their chief |
| are a square shaped emblem within a circle. As in | | | | god. The solar cross represents the movements |
| all Celtic knots there is no beginning or end. The | | | | of the sun as in the solstices (the four seasons). |
| Celtic shield knot idea comes from civilizations | | | | Asatruar people (pagan Norse) use the solar cross |
| more ancient than the Celts. Anciently, it was a | | | | as their religious emblem. |
| universally known symbol for protection from | | | | Occultists who us a Kabbalah (the mystic aspect |
| danger and warding off evil spirits. The symbol is | | | | of Judaism) based system of ceremonial magic |
| always fourfold based, but within a greater unity. | | | | invoke the four main archangels as mentioned in |
| The Mesopotamians used a similar four cornered | | | | Judaism (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel) as |
| symbol in casting protective spells and for invoking | | | | guardians. They are to guard the four quarters |
| the gods of the four corners of the Earth. The 4 | | | | (as seen in a solar cross), or directions. They each |
| cornered symbols stood for the four creator | | | | have corresponding colors associated with magical |
| gods. The sky god An was the greatest of these | | | | properties. As well they display spiritual activity |
| gods. Anki was the Sumerian word for universe. | | | | over each season: Spring is Raphael, summer is |
| An meant heaven. Enlil was the next greatest god | | | | Uriel, fall is Michael and winter is Gabriel. For these |
| and could produce raging storms in a fit or help | | | | occultists, the solar cross or shield knot symbol |
| man when calm. He was known as the shepherd | | | | stands for this. |
| to the people and also as the god of air. "lil" stood | | | | Christianity, in the Scandinavian area, eventually |
| for wind in the Sumerian language. The earth | | | | took the pagan symbol of the solar cross or the |
| goddess was Nin-khursag (or Nintu). The fourth | | | | shield knot and termed it St. Han's cross (or St. |
| god was Enki, the god of water and patron of | | | | John's cross, after John the Baptist). It came to |
| wisdom. Sumerians believed Heaven and Earth | | | | symbolize flowing water and the continuity of life, |
| were united as a single mountain. Nammu, | | | | similar to the infinity symbol. Christianity is known |
| goddess of the primeval sea, gave birth to An | | | | for changing the meaning of many formerly |
| (Heaven) and Ki (Earth). An and Ki gave birth to | | | | pagan symbols, as it spread. In Northern Europe, |
| their son Enlil (god of the Air). Enlil then carried | | | | even today, the shield knot symbol is used to |
| away his mother, the Earth, from Heaven. In | | | | symbolize national heritage sites. In heraldry the |
| essence these four gods represented sky, fire, | | | | same knot symbol is known as a Bowen cross. |
| earth and water. It is possible that Celtic shield | | | | So we can tell that the original Celtic shield knot |
| knots represent these same substances. | | | | symbol is indicative of the four seasons or earth |
| The ancient Norse, who eventually formed the | | | | water, fire and sky (which help us, but have |
| Celts, had a similar shield symbol. Their four | | | | power over us). It can also mean the four gods, |
| cornered symbol, which was also for protection, | | | | intertwined with the seasons, or archangels, who |
| was related to the solar cross. The solar cross is | | | | protect the people of earth as well as bring us |
| one of the most ancient spiritual symbols in the | | | | the elements or seasons. |
| world. It is simply a cross with equal size arms, | | | | |