Celtic "D"

Stitched in March for my SIL, whose family also has Irish roots, to go with the Celtic "H" I previously stitched for my DD. On 14ct white aida to match hers and will be similarly framed (see earlier post). "The Book of Kells" will be backstitched in black under the letter. These designs have been adapted by Celtic Cross Stitch from the Irish manuscript containing the Four Gospels and other religious text which is displayed at Trinity College in Dublin. The designs were created by monks who in copying the Gospels illumintated the letters and pages with fanciful birds, serpents, other animals and bits of flora. This one looks like a bird grasping a shamrock in its beak with another curled inside the D. But that's just my guess. There are also imaginary likenesses of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Visit the Celtic Cross Stitch site even if you don't plan to purchase anything. It's a very interesting site and has an application that allows you to create a cross stitch graph of your name or phrase in Celtic lettering.