The Celtic Dara knot: a rare tattoo
Like the Celtic knot of love, or the quaternary knot, the Dara knot is a highly prized symbol in Celtic culture. Dara comes from the Irish word "doire" which translates oak; therefore this knot would translate "oak knot" and represents the roots of this tree.
The oak was a sacred tree in some cultures such as the Slavic, Roman or Baltic that consecrated it to gods such as Perun, Jupiter or Perkunas; but it is in the Celtic culture where it takes on a special importance since it is one of its sacred trees along with others such as hazelnut, holly, yew, ash, pine, holm oak or apple tree.
A tree is symbol of life since it contains the four elements: the water that runs through its body, the earth in which it is rooted, the air to which it rises and the fire that sprouts from it. It is sacred because it communicates the sky with the underworld since it sinks its roots in the world of the dead, its trunk stands tall in the earthly world and its branches touch the sky.
An oak tree tattoo
El oak It is prized for its size, its beauty and its acorns, food and phallic symbol, so his essence is male (although there are also female characters related to him)
His powerful appearance has made him a symbol of wisdom, strength and power; especially its roots, as they penetrate the earth with force, clinging to it as the storm lashes its body.
Numerous Celtic knots appear in Kildare Cathedral, Dara among them
This is why the Dara knot appears on many ancient monuments such as Kildare's Cill-Dara Church and on pendants, ornaments (although it is not very common as a tattoo, something I do not understand) as a symbol of the roots of this tree. Wearing it serves as a reminder of the strength and essence of the person; the inner strength of each one, the power to resist the onslaught of life and face challenges, deeply rooted in the earth.