The celtic pattern at the top of page 22 is known at the Duleek knot. This symbol is found in many old druid patterns. It is normally drawn inside a circle which represents the sun, an object of worship. The pattern shown on this page has the 4 triquetras which represent the forces of nature (earth, air and water) as interpreted through the 4 seasons.
The Duleek knot is found on the south cross at Duleek, county Meath. This cross is one of the smallest of the High Crosses of Ireland.
The centre of the cross has seven raised spirals believed to represent the dance of heavenly bodies around the sun, long before Copernicus put forward his heliocentric theory.
This sandstone cross was constructed in the 9th century and at the time it was believed that there were five planets plus the sun and the moon.
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