The shield knot is an ancient symbol and has been used for thousands of years by a variety of cultures for protection and warding.
In Germanic countries this structure is called St. Hans' cross or the cross of St John. In Scandinavia it is a magic ideogram from the Viking era. This knot is also referred to as the Earth Square.
While the common design is most often associated with the Celts and ancient Norse, the most basic form is much older. The fourfold version is Mesopotamian in origin and is associated with protective spells invoking the gods of the four corners of the earth.
The Norse and Celtic versions of the knot are used for the same purposes of protection but are related to the fourfold solar cross.
We offer a version of this ancient symbol in our Celtic Shield Knot ring.
