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Celtic Tree Art Prints
By Lotti Brown
Celtic Tree Art Prints
Explore my collection of Celtic tree art prints inspired by the Celtic Tree Calendar - a series of artworks based on the mythology, symbolism, and seasonal rhythms of native British trees.
This was my lockdown project, an idea that had been in my head for years but I felt I couldn't justify creating...
But once lockdown hit, I thought it would be the perfect time.
I took a year to complete the project, stretching from Spring 2020 to 2021, working on the next tree to come up in the calendar each month.
Celtic Tree Calendar art printsThe Celtic tree calendar actually has 13 months and not 12 - as it's based around lunar months of 28 days.
As beautiful as the idea is, the Celtic tree calendar was not actually the form of calendar used by the Celts, but is a creation of Robert Graves in his book 'The White Goddess'...
It does however use as its basis a form of tree alphabet used by Celtic people in Britain and Ireland, called the tree ogham, where the letters were named after the native trees.
Read more about The Celtic Tree Calendar and what it is, here...
I love the idea of the Celtic tree calendar so much and I really think it helps us to appreciate our beautiful trees and feel more connected to nature and the seasons, following the rhythms of the months in a more gentle and mindful way.
It feels like a gentle way of reconnecting with nature through the seasons, noticing each tree in its own time.
Each artwork in this collection is inspired by the symbolism of a specific tree in the Celtic Tree Calendar. You can explore the meaning of each tree below, alongside the corresponding Celtic tree art prints...
Rowan tree - framed and unframed art prints are available for all artworks in a variety of different formatsThe Celtic Tree Calendar Year
Browse the Celtic Tree Calendar below - you can click each tree to explore its meaning, symbolism, and artwork...
- December 24th to January 20th – Birch
- January 21st to February 17th – Rowan
- February 18th to March 17th – Ash
- March 18th to April 14th – Alder
- April 15th to May 12th – Willow
- May 13th to June 9th – Hawthorn
- June 10th to July 7th – Oak
- July 8th to August 4th – Holly
- August 5th to September 1st – Hazel
- September 2nd to September 29th – Vine
- September 30th to October 27th – Ivy
- October 28th to November 23rd – Reed
- November 24th to December 23rd - Elder
You can also see the images below for more about the meaning and symbolism of each tree...
Celtic Tree Art Prints
The time I spent researching the myths, meanings and folklore for each tree and slowly creating each of the artworks for the individual trees that make up the Celtic Tree Calendar was one of my favourite parts of lockdown..
My Celtic tree art prints have been created from my own original drawings of the trees, Celtic knotwork, and my own calligraphy lettering.
I created each of the Celtic tree art prints as a version with or without dates (of the related Celtic tree calendar month) - in my Redbubble store you can find these artworks as framed and unframed art prints, along with a range of other products...
Click on the links below to be taken straight to each version in my Redbubble store (worldwide delivery)...
Celtic Tree Art Prints by Month and Meaning
If you’d like to explore the deeper meanings behind each tree, I’ve written about the symbolism, folklore, and mythology of each one - you’ll find links below...
The name following each English tree name below, is the tree ogham name for the tree letter in each case.
Birch (Beith)- December 24th to January 20th
The beautiful silver branches of the birch are the perfect wintery image for this period of deep midwinter. People also used to use birch branches to drive out the Old Year on 31st December.
Themes for birch are new endeavours, creativity, fertility, healing, and protection.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the Birch Tree here...
Rowan (Luis) - January 21st to February 17th
The rowan was traditionally considered a magical and protective tree. Its twigs were bound with red thread as crosses or 'sun wheels' and used to protect a home. These crosses are seen as linked to the St. Brigid crosses made for St. Brigid's day on 1st February.
Themes for rowan are hearth and home, family, personal power, spirituality, success, protection.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the Rowan tree here...
Ash (Nuin) February 18th to March 17th
The ash is a strong and powerful tree, believed to be the original 'World Tree' or 'Yggdrasil'. Odin is said to have created the first man from the ash. He sheltered in the World Tree for winter, and went forth to populate the Earth with the first woman in Spring.
Themes for ash are inner self, spirituality, magic, dreams.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the Ash tree here...
Alder (Fearn) March 18th to April 14th
In Ancient Greece, the god Cronos is associated with the alder tree. Cronos is also known as ‘Fearinus’ which means ‘of the dawn of the year’ (Spring) which also relates to the Gaelic ogham name for alder ‘fearn’.
Themes for alder are spirituality, intuitiveness, decisions, divination.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the Alder tree here...
Willow (Saille) April 15th to May 12th
Willow has long been a healing and protective tree for humans. People would cut pussy willow branches for Palm Sunday and then use them to protect their home for the rest of the year.
Themes for willow are healing, growth, protection, women, nurturing.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the Willow tree here...
Hawthorn (Huath) May 13th to June 9th
Hawthorn is also known as 'May' and its flowers as 'May blossom'. It was used in the May Day celebrations (which fell in the middle of May in the old pre-1752 calendars) and a May Queen was chosen amongst villagers to help bring in the Spring, joining with the Oak King (representing Summer).
Themes for hawthorn are fertility, masculine energy, fire, business and professional, magical protection, connections.
Read more about the myths and symbolism of the hawthorn here...
Celtic oak tree artOak (Duir) June 10th to July 7th
Oak is traditionally seen as the 'King of the Forest'. Its wood was burned for the midsummer fires. It was also associated with thunder and was often kept as a talisman to protect a home from being struck by lightning.
Themes for oak are strength, power, fertility, luck, success.
Read more about the myths and symbolism for the oak tree here...
Holly (Tinne) July 8th to August 4th
Traditionally the Christmas evergreen and associated with winter - medieval plays in summer showed struggles between the Oak King (Summer) and the Holly King (Winter) - the Holly King must win to bring in the winter, starting now as the nights start drawing in to autumn.
Themes for holly are immortaility, rebirth, masculine energy, protection, strength, safety.
Read more about the myths and symbolism for the holly tree here...
Hazel (Coll) August 5th to September 1st
Hazel is a very useful tree, providing strong, supple branches and delicious hazelnuts in autumn. In Celtic times it was also the Tree of Wisdom or Knowledge.
Themes for hazel are life force, wisdom, protection, knowledge, the creative muse.
Read more about myths, meaning and symbolism for the hazel tree here...
Vine (Muin) September 2nd to September 29th
Sometimes believed to refer to a grapevine, blackberry (bramble) is often thought to be the more likely 'tree' referred to as 'muin' (vine) here as it's a British native plant. It was frequently believed that blackberries should only be picked before September 29th (dates can vary according to where in the country you are).
Themes for blackberry are harvest, happiness, wrath, passion, ambition, balance.
Read more about the myths, meanings and symbolism for the blackberry/bramble here...
Ivy (Gort) September 30th to October 27th
Ivy is part of the delicate ecosystem of trees, providing support for older trees and supplying nectar and fruit through the autumn and winter months when other trees stop flowering. Also associated in medieval times with wine and merriment.
Themes for ivy are rebirth, cleansing, self-improvement, boundaries, healing, protection, cooperation.
Read more about the myths, meanings and symbolism for ivy here...
Reed (Ngetal) October 28th to November 23rd
'Reed' may refer to fern or bracken, broom, or the reed - likely any plant used for thatching, fuel, bedding, mulch. Fern was seen as a very magical plant which could confer the gift of invisibility.
Themes for fern are divination, wind, spirituality, energy, meditation, death and rebirth.
Read more about the myths, meanings and symbolism of Fern/Reed here...
Elder (Ruis) November 24th to December 23rd
The beautiful elder is associated with the fairy Elder Mother, its guardian, who came to be linked with the Cailleach, or wise old woman of winter.
Themes for elder are endings, rebirth, creativity, renewal, protection, magic.
Read more about the myths, meanings and symbolism of the Elder tree here...
Celtic Tree of Life Art
The Celtic Tree of Life is an ancient symbol of life, representing the circle or cycle of life, with roots in the underworld, trunk in the Earthly realms and branches in the heavens.
It's a beautiful icon and one that I love to interpret in my own artwork. Here are two beautiful examples of my Celtic Tree of Life illustrations from my earlier artwork collections...
If you love the tree of life, too, you can click below to see each as Tree wall art and gift products in my Redbubble store...
Why I Created These Celtic Tree Art Prints
This project began as something I’d wanted to create for years, and it became a way for me to explore both creativity and connection to nature during a very unusual time.
Each piece is rooted in real trees, real folklore, and my own experience of observing nature through the seasons.
Where to go next...
Did you learn all about the history of the Celtic Tree Calendar? If not, you can catch up here... and also explore my other nature-focused folklore content in my folklore hub on this page...
Visit my Celtic Trees Hub here...
If you've enjoyed my Celtic tree art prints, you might also like my Celtic nature artworks here...
Or my botanical and floral art prints here...
You can see all my art on this page, plus at my Redbubble store where you can browse through framed and unframed art prints, plus clothing, home decor and accessories, all with my designs...
If you like nature and creativity, you might enjoy nature journaling - find out here...
You might like a book I read and enjoyed, 'The Oak Papers', all about our relationship with the oak tree - read about it here...
There's also pretty Celtic knot pattern fabrics, wallpapers plus home decor, fashion and accessories in the same designs - lots of diferent colours (see below) - take a closer look here!
Visit my Little Art Shop for my newest art prints & products...
Have you ever thought about nature journaling..?
If you like nature, you might like to start your own nature journal!
Find out all about nature journaling here...
You can get started with my free guide here.
Or explore my gentle self-paced nature journaling course with nature journaling exercises to get you confident with nature journaling - take a look here...
Shall we stay in touch..?
Each month, I share stories from my own nature journal, new art from my studio, and simple seasonal inspiration to help you feel more connected with the turning year - if you'd like to stay updated, please sign up with your email address below...
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Apr 22, 26 06:25 AM
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Chaffinch Folklore & Meaning - Song, Seasons & British Nature Art
Apr 15, 26 04:05 AM
Explore chaffinch folklore, song and seasonal meaning in Britain, illustrated with hand-drawn chaffinch art inspired by nature and quiet everyday magic. -
Willow Tree Symbolism and Celtic Willow Art
Apr 14, 26 05:05 AM
Explore willow tree symbolism and meaning - Celtic willow art and printed products...
Shop My Current Collection of Art Prints
Find my stockists for all my earlier artworks here...
Lotti Brown is a self-taught nature artist and nature journaling educator whose hand-drawn work is inspired by wildlife, folklore, and close observation. With 18 years in creative fields and 10 years creating nature art, she brings deep practical experience to her work. Trained by the Wild Wonder Foundation, she shares nature journaling courses and guides online. Her artwork has been licensed internationally and exhibited at Goole Museum and Bridlington Spa in the East Riding of Yorkshire, UK.
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