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Free Delivery - UK Over £80, International Over £200
Free Delivery - UK Over £80, International Over £200
8 min read
Most people, when they think about ancient Celtic culture, all they can imagine is mystical trees, tribesmen, and symbolic writing. While it can be true to some level, one of the most fascinating parts of this tradition is the Celtic Ogham symbols, a unique alphabet made of straight lines and notches. Whether marked on standing stones or wooden staves, these symbols held deep spiritual and cultural meanings.
This blog explores the world of Ogham symbols, where they come from, what they mean, and why they hold power today. Moreover, we will also discuss the Ogham symbol for love and how it inspires people.
Celtic Ogham symbols are part of the Ogham Alphabet, which is a writing system used in Ireland from around the 4th century AD. Whenever we look at modern alphabets, they use different curves and circles. However, Ogham symbols are simple straight lines carved along a central edge.
All historical symbols, letters, or emblems come into being due to a specific meaning behind them. Likewise, in ancient Celtic culture, each Ogham symbol represented a sound in the Irish language, a tree of the plant with symbolic meaning, and a deeper spiritual or cultural concept.
Due to this tripe connection, Ogham became more than just writing. It became a symbolic system that not only tied together language but also nature and meaning.
The origin of Ogham symbols has been widely discussed. According to historians, Ogham was invented between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. Some people think that it was created in Ireland. However, the opposing voices argue that it was influenced by the Latin alphabet through contact with the Roman world.
No matter what has been said about the origin of Ogham, what truly makes it unique is its Celtic connection to nature. The Irish people used Ogham symbols to represent trees and plants, each holding symbolic qualities. This is why Ogham is sometimes called the “Celtic Tree Alphabet”.
Here are some examples of Ogham letters, their tree names, and what they symbolise:
Beith (Birch):New Beginnings
Luis (Rowan):Protection
Nion (Ash):Strength and connection
Coll (Hazel):Wisdom
Saille (Willow):Intuition and healing
These links significantly show that Ogham symbols carried a message far beyond their sounds. They were seen as living signs tied to the natural world.
Was Ogham used as a secret language?According to many medieval Irish manuscripts, Ogham was not only used for everyday inscriptions but also as a secret or coded language. Druids, poets, and learnt classes might have used it to exchange specific pieces of information in a way that common people or outsiders couldn’t easily understand. Due to this secrecy, Ogham symbols gained a mystical aura, linking them with hidden wisdom and spiritual authority. |
Do you know how many symbols are in the Ogham alphabet? The Ogham alphabet contains 20 original symbols, which were later expanded to 25. These symbols were divided into four groups, called aicmi. Each aicmi contained five letters. Here is how:
Group One (Right side marks): B, L, S, S, N
Group Two (Left side marks): H, D, T, C, Q
Group Three (Across the stem line): M, G, NG, Z, R
Group Four (Notches or slashes): A, O, U, E, I
Every mark of Ogham symbols was carved into stone or wood along a central stem line. By counting and recognising the marks efficiently, readers could identify the respective Ogham symbol.
Above, we have discussed the origin and structure of Celtic Ogham symbols. Now, it’s time to explore the meanings they hold. Each Ogham symbol carried three layers of meaning, such as:
|
Phonetic |
Tree/Plant Connection |
Spiritual/Cultural Symbolism |
|
It represented a sound or letter. |
It was linked to a tree or plant, which had symbolic value. |
It reflects a deeper idea, such as healing, love, protection, or wisdom. |
Here are some key Celtic Ogham symbols and their meanings:
Beith (Birch): Symbol of rebirth, new journeys, and cleansing.
Luis (Rowan): Linked with protection against evil and spiritual strength.
Fearn (Alder): Associated with courage, decision-making, and balance.
Saille (Willow): Symbol of feminine energy, intuition, and healing.
Coll (Hazel): Connected to wisdom, creativity, and inspiration.
Nion (Ash): A powerful symbol of strength, connection, and spiritual growth.
Duir (Oak): Represents endurance, stability, and leadership.
Ruis (Elder): Often linked to endings, transformation, and renewal.
These meanings made Ogham symbols not just practical writing but also spiritual emblems guiding the daily lives of ancient Celts.
How is Ogham linked with Celtic Poetry?The Celts held great importance in oral tradition. Poets, known as fili, were respected as keepers of culture and law. These poets studied Ogham symbols as a part of their training. Each symbol could inspire verses, representing qualities like bravery, love, and rebirth. This poetic connection made Ogham not just a practical script but also a creative tool. |
Do you know what the most sought-after meaning of Ogham is? Love is one of the most sought-after meanings in Ogham symbols. While the Ogham Alphabet doesn’t contain a direct symbol for love, such as a heart, the Ogham symbol for love is commonly associated with Saille (Willow) and Coll (Havel).
SAILLE (Willow)
The willow tree represents intuition, emotions, and healing in relationships. It is also often seen as a symbol for feminine energy, nurturing, and love.
COLL (Hazel)
Hazel stands for wisdom and inspiration, but also harmony in relationships. It significantly reflects balance, understanding, and love that grow through knowledge.
When these trees are combined together, they symbolise the emotional and intellectual aspects of love, which are the heart and mind together.
In modern interpretations, artists and jewellers often design Ogham inscriptions of “gra”, which is the Irish word for love, using Ogham script. This consequently makes the Ogham symbol for love both personal and culturally rooted.
How is the Ogham used for love in modern practice?Today, the Ogham symbol of love is widely used in wedding rings, engagement jewellery, and tattoos. Couples often choose the Ogham inscriptions of the Irish word “gra” (love), symbolising eternal commitment. As not everyone can understand Ogham, it feels private, like a secret promise between two people. |
After discussing the Ogham symbol for love, let’s see the importance of Ogham symbols in Celtic culture. Celtic Ogham symbols were not just writing tools; they were woven into the cultural and spiritual life exponentially. Here is how they were used historically:
The most widely known use of Ogham symbols is as grave markers and memorials. Many Ogham stones that are found today were once used by ancient Celts to mark graves or territories. This significantly helped them preserve names and lineages, making them monuments of love, memory, and identity.
Ogham symbols have also been used for spiritual practices. Druids and poets may have used them for divination. As Ogham is connected to trees, this connection made them powerful symbols in rituals, guiding decisions and offering protection.
Ogham symbols were also used casually in ancient Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Families and clans used Ogham to mark possessions, land, and important places. This is because these symbols carried a significant amount of pride and a sense of belonging.
How might Ogham have been used in everyday life?Ogham symbols might have been carved on stones, wooden sticks, or amulets. People might have carried them as protective charms. For example,
|
After exploring the cultural relevance of Ogham symbols, we’re uncovering its importance in modern times. By the medieval period, Ogham had fallen out of daily use. However, its legacy is still alive today. Here is how Ogham symbols are being used today:
Now, many people wear pendants, rings, and tattoos with Celtic Ogham symbols. The most common symbol in use is the Ogham symbol for love. These designs significantly express personal identity, heritage, and spiritual values.
Nowadays, Ogham symbols are experiencing a cultural revival. In Ireland and beyond, there is a growing interest in preserving Ogham stones, teaching the Ogham alphabet, and celebrating Celtic heritage.
With the recent developments in the digital landscape, Ogham symbols are now also included in Unicode. It means that they can be typed, shared, and studied digitally. This remarkably makes Ogham symbols not just a cultural emblem but also a digital one.
Use of Ogham in Divination and MysticismSometimes, Ogham symbols are also used in modern Celtic-inspired spirituality for divination and mysticism, similar to runes. For instance, people may draw wooden staves or cards marked with Ogham symbols, then interpret their meanings. This practice connects people not only to their inner emotions but also to the ancient wisdom of nature. |
Today’s historians have made it possible to a great extent to read and understand Ogham inscriptions. If you also want to do so, then follow these simple steps:
The first step to read the Ogham symbols is to find the stem line. Look for the central line along the edge of the stone or wood.
The next step is to look for the marks. Check for the marks on the central line and identify whether the strokes are on the right, left, across, or as notches.
After you have counted the marks, the next step is to match their pattern. To do so, use an Ogham chart to connect the marks with the correct symbol.
As you know, Ogham was initially written to represent sounds in the Irish language. When you have matched the pattern, try to translate their sounds.
When you have read and translated the Ogham symbols, consider the tree or symbolic meaning for a deeper cultural understanding.
Why are Ogham stones considered a cultural heritage?Do you know? Over 400 Ogham stones have been discovered. They are mostly located in Ireland but also in places like Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man. They record simple inscriptions such as “X son of Y”, marking territory or remembering loved ones. Today, these stones are considered national treasures. Many are protected in museums, while others still stand in the landscapes where they were first raised. |
When looked at casually, Celtic Ogham symbols seem like mere markings of straight lines and notches. However, they are more than just ancient carvings. They remind us of a time when language, nature, and spirit were connected. Each line and notch we see is a doorway into the centuries-old beliefs of the Celts.
One of the most beautiful examples is the Ogham symbol for love. It significantly shows how, even in ancient times, people used symbols to capture the deepest human emotions. These symbols still speak of love, strength, wisdom, and connection, whether carved in stone or worn as jewellery.
This blog takes you on an amazing journey of Celtic Ogham symbols, their history, culture, and meaning. We thoroughly discussed them from their origins as a practical writing system to their symbolic connections with trees and emotions. We also explored the Ogham symbol for love and how it resonates today with many people in or outside Ireland. Ogham symbols are not just marks; they are stories, emotions, and living heritage.
Ogham symbols are part of an ancient Celtic alphabet. They are made of straight lines and notches. They represent various pounds, trees, and symbolic meanings.
The Ogham symbol for love is often linked to Saille (Willow) and Coll (Hazel). These trees or symbols represent emotions, healing, and harmony. However, modern inscriptions of the Irish word “gra” (love) in Ogham are also used.
In Celtic tradition, every Ogham symbol was linked to a tree or plant. It significantly gave them deep spiritual meaning and cultural significance.
Most Ogham stones are in Ireland, especially in the south and west. However, some stones are also found in Wales, Scotland, and England.
Yes, Ogham symbols are still used, whether in jewellery, tattoos, art, and heritage celebrations. Moreover, they are also studied by historians and linguists.