Illuminated E Initial Tattoo with Celtic Design maori On a magnificent bronze mirror

On a magnificent bronze mirror on display in the National Museum of Ireland this swirling pattern appears in unimaginably fine tiny detail

A powerful Viking tattoo

The traditional knot found in the center of the Duleek cross is made the centerpiece of an interlace band found in the 3rd century Book of Kells

The Sgian dubh makes a perfect tattoo for a Scottish warrior

Long known as the Protection Knot

Illuminated E Initial Tattoo with Celtic Design maori On a magnificent bronze mirrorThe illuminated text pages in the Book of Kells (c. 800ce) frequently featured one magnificently complex letter beginning a Bible passage. This is the letter E at the start of folio 183r. It features the head of a lion and three snakes, as well as a full body of a lioness, Celtic knot work, and Pictish key patterns. A very ambitious tattoo.