The Museful Mind

Celtic Nature… the Druid’s Quilt

Quilt depicting a central triskele design, surrounded by various plants and flowers

The inspiration for this quilt came from the natural world, as defined by Celtic lore and beliefs.  The Ancients were far more attuned to Nature, and the world around them, than we are today.  Each plant had their own specific place in the world, and were related one to another.  They had a reason for being, which we today have long forgotten… and continue to overlook.  The plantings depicted here were chosen for their underlying meaning, and thematic representation in the natural world.
And unlike previous quilts which I have made, this particular piece came strictly from imagination.

The entire quilt revolves around a central spiral design, so typical of ancient Celtic artwork.  And in this case, influenced by the stone carvings found at Newgrange.  Located in Ireland’s Boyne Valley, Newgrange is an ancient Passage Tomb built 5,200 years ago.  This makes it older than England’s Stonehenge, or Egypt’s Pyramids.

Newgrange - a passage tomb located in the Boyne River valley of Ireland

In actuality it was more than merely a Passage Tomb where dignitaries were buried.  It also served as a Temple where various religious, spiritual, and astrological ceremonies and rites took place.  The Ancient Ones considered it to be a Sidhe or Fairy Mound.  However you want to see it.

The  piece begins with a light-blue marbled fabric representing the sky.  And from there branches out (no pun intended) into a very basic design.  A Triskelion, surrounded by a variety of trees found in the Celtic Ogham calendar, and some favourite flowers for colour make up the quilt.  All of which are framed by zoomorphic-style birds in each of the four corners.

Placement of the various trees and flowers became self-evident as the meanings behind each one became known.  And so, surrounding the central spiral design, beginning at the bottom in clockwise fashion…

We have the Thistle.   This was done in lame fabric which has a sheen to it.  The presentation is further defined by top-stitching with metallic thread.   And thus stands out in its simplicity.  The thistle has come to symbolize bravery, determination and strength.  It is the national Flower of Scotland.

Scottish Thistle replicated in lame fabric and outline in shiny metallic threads
Scottish bluebells replicated in fabric as part of a quilt.


L
eft of the Thistle are the Bluebells of Scotland.  So tender and delicate in form and colour.  Sometimes known as Fairy Flowers, symbolizing gratitude and humility.  Bluebells are associated with the goddess Brighid, and tell of everlasting love.


N
ext comes the Silver Birch, earliest of the forest trees to put forth its leaves.  And therefore named the first month following the winter solstice.  It symbolizes rebirth and new life.  Cradles were traditionally made from birch wood.  Beith is its placement in the Celtic Ogham Calendar.

Fabric depiction of a Silver Birch tree
Willow branches complete with yellow catkins - all made of fabric

Climbing up the left side of the quilt, we have the Willow.  A tree which loves water and is beloved of the moon goddess.  Its leaves and bark are a source of salicylic acid (aspirin).  The branches were used to make baskets for winnowing corn.  It is also sacred to poets, bestowing upon them the gift of eloquence.  This is Saille of the Ogham Calendar.

At the upper left corner, we have English Mistletoe… the All Heal.  A sacred Druidic plant believed to cure illness.  It stays forever green, bearing fruit of small yellowish berries during the winter months.  In rare cases, Mistletoe can be found growing on the mighty Oak… which leads us to the next tree of the quilt.

Oak branches and acorns done in fabric for a nature quilt.

 King of all the trees, the Oak is steeped in royalty; a tree of triumph and endurance.  It was sacred to the Druids who often met in Oak groves, or nemetons as they were called .  The branches of an oak reach as high in the sky, as its roots extend deep within the earth.  June is the month of the Oak… Duir of the Ogham Calendar.


N
ow comes  the Scot’s Pine Guibhas of the ancient alphabet.  A tree to build boats, it was also used in bonfires at the winter solstice to call back the sun, and was considered an aide for despondency or despair.  A tree of both forgiveness and protection.
Within the quilt, it glimmers and shines with seeds of gold metallic threads.  It is situated entwined with the Oak branches.

Scot's Pine from a Celtin nature quilt
Irish Ladies Tresses done in fabric for a Celtic nature quilt

Next in the line-up comes my favourite…  Irish Ladies Tresses.   A rare and beautiful orchid found in Ireland and Scotland.  In Nature this plant grows in proximity to the Oak and Scot’s Pine – and so finds its place within the quilt beneath the branches of the above featured trees.  The blooms are little puff-balls of fabric to give a 3-D effect that helps it stand out amongst the surrounding tree branches.


T
hen there are stalks of Wheat.  In ancient times it was considered to be the very staple of life, and therefore was both respected and revered.  Dolls of this grain were made as part of the celebration of Lughnasadh.  A time to rejoice while reaping the summer’s harvest for the long winter months ahead.

Stalks of wheat done in fabric for a quilt
Rowan branches and berries made of fabric

Rounding out the quilt is a Rowan branch, “quickbeam” or the Tree of Life.  Druids kindled them for incantations.  Adorned with bright red berries of ‘magic’ to heal the wounded, and considered food for the gods.   A tree of protection from evil.  Luis of the Ogham Calendar.

And then, there are the birds in the four corners.  These are done in a zoomorphic style of Celtic art.  Symbolic of the shape-shifting abilities which are part of Druidic legend, both physically and spiritually.  The birds symbolize friendship as well as transition. 
They were my own design, acording to the ‘rules’ of Celtic knot-making.  One line in a continuous pattern, following an alternating over/under placement – beginning and ending in the same place.  The birds were highlighted with metallic threads for emphasis, and the importance of their place within the quilt.

Zoomorphic Celtic birds done in bias tape for a quilt.


A
nd of course the centerpiece around which the entire quilt was based is the Triskelion.  Within the realms of Celtic Christianity this has come to symbolize the Holy Trinity… Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The very heart and soul around which all of Nature revolves.

Within the quilt there is a fair amount  of ‘open’ space  around the various trees and flowers.  And this was filled in with hand-quilted Celtic knot designs, as well as spiral shapes.  This was done in a light blue thread to match and better blend in with the background.  And thus serves to further emphasize the Celtic artwork as found at Newgrange. 

And so… we have Celtic Nature.  An interesting blend and study of Druidism and Christianity.

Quilt depicting a central triskele design, surrounded by various plants and flowers
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4 thoughts on “Celtic Nature… the Druid’s Quilt”

  1. Your words describing this quilt flowed as beautifully as the design of the quilt itself. Magnificent job on both, Bev!
    XO,
    Michelle

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