Story of the An Teor Celtic Design
The An Teor design has the look of an ancient symbol, perhaps something about alchemy or magic. In fact its origin is neither ancient nor occult — it is a modern Celtic design created from love, faith, and the collaboration of three friends in Andover, NY.
The Origin: An Engagement Gift Born from Faith and Love
In 1996 Dave Burns approached his friend Stephen Walker about making a special piece of jewelry. Burns and Walker are both graduates of Andover Central School and both learned about Celtic design from the art teacher there, William MacCrea.
Medium An Teor pendant in sterling silver
Dave's concept was to combine a heart for "love", the cross for "Christ", and the triquetra knot as a symbol for the "trinity of Christian marriage" — man and woman as joined by God. Dave wanted this piece of jewelry for an engagement gift for his fiancée Billie, to express their love for each other and their faith.
The Three Symbols of An Teor
- Heart — Love between husband and wife
- Cross — Christ at the center of marriage
- Triquetra (Trinity Knot) — The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit
From Sketch to Symbol: Creating the Design
Steve rearranged Dave's sketch into a more graceful composition and the result is the present An Teor design. The design was named at the suggestion of MacCrea. An Teor means "The Three" and is used in old Gaelic prayers.
Small An Teor earrings in 14K gold
The Meaning: Flexible Celtic Symbolism
The An Teor design combines the three most popular symbols in modern Celtic jewelry: the heart, the cross, and the triquetra or "Trinity knot."
As with other Celtic symbols, the meaning is flexible and it is not necessarily just a wedding-related symbol. It can just as easily be seen as an emblem of the Holy Trinity or as a reminder of God's love given through Christ's sacrifice.
Three sizes of the An Teor pendants in sterling silver
Copyright and Original Design
Because of the ancient look of this design and the traditional reference of the name, it is sometimes mistaken that the design must fall in the public domain and that anyone can copy it. The An Teor design is a copyright property of Stephen Walker and Walker Metalsmiths of Andover, NY. All rights reserved.
Personal use of the design for wedding invitations, tattoos, embroidery etc. is allowed only with written permission. Please ask before assuming you can use this or any other Walker Metalsmiths designs, as there are some simple conditions and limitations. Legal steps are being taken to protect the copyright against unauthorized commercial copies.
The Gaelic Prayer: "The Three" (An Teor)
The design takes its name from a traditional Gaelic prayer collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in the 19th century:
From Carmina Gadelica — Hymns and Incantations
Collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in the 19th Century
Translated by Alexander Carmichael
The Three
In the name of Father,
In the name of Son,
In the name of Spirit,
Three in One.
Father cherish me,
Son cherish me,
Spirit cherish me,
Three all-kindly.
God make me holy,
Christ make me holy,
Spirit make me holy,
Three all holy.
Three aid my hope,
Three aid my love,
Three aid mine eye,
And my knee from stumbling,
My knee from stumbling.
Shop the An Teor Collection
Available in pendants and earrings — handcrafted in sterling silver and 14K gold.
An Teor Jewelry → All Celtic Pendants →Explore More Celtic Symbolism & Design
- William "Scotty" MacCrea: My Mentor — The teacher who named the An Teor design
- Symbolism of Celtic Knotwork and Design — Understanding Celtic symbols
- Celtic Cross History and Symbolism — The cross component of An Teor
- Celtic Jewelry for Weddings — An Teor as an engagement or wedding gift
About the Author
Stephen Walker has been handcrafting Celtic jewelry in Andover, NY since 1984. The An Teor design, created in collaboration with Dave Burns and named by Stephen's mentor William MacCrea, represents Stephen's commitment to meaningful, personalized Celtic jewelry that honors both tradition and individual faith.
Comments on this post (2)
I have a Pastor, at Sunlight Community in St.Lucie FL, who gave me this word-perichoreosis. The first part, peri, is “around” like periscope- to see around. The second part, choreo, is to “dance”, like the word- choreography.
It means literally, dancing around. Pastor Scott said it describes the action of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, dancing around each other for joy over what God in Christ, has done!
Your deisign is the words perfect expression! Will make a perfect Easter gift! Hope you have four small pendants available for my sisters and neices!
— Kim Wade
I’m so glad to find this prayer I thought it was the sweetest kindly loving Thoughts. Thank you for sharing it. May the Lord look upon you and save you from all harm Lana melerine
— Lana Melerine