Celtic Stencil M—“In the Shape of Her Curved Eyes”
Celtic Symbols and Language 
A Granite Bay Design Microsite
“…in the shape of her curved eyes…”
ANCIENT CELTIC POETRY
Snuadh na suibhe [is] samhradh gréine
‘n-a gruaidh chorcha,
iomdha glún as a fréimh feactha
‘n-a céibh choptha.
Ar deilbh corrshúl Caitreach-fíona
nír cínn Gréigbean,
súil chorr nachar fhéagh ar óigfhear
béal donn déidgheal.
Gnúis mar abhaill, ucht mar eala
ógh nar truailleadh,
nír ghile clúimh ná a bas bháingheal
súil ghlas ghruaidhgheal.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Berry’s color and sun’s garland
in crimson cheeks
many a knee bending from the source
in tufted locks.
In the shape of her curved eyes, Catherine
is not surpassed by Greek women.
Curved eyes do not look at a young man
bright-toothed dark mouth.
Face like an apple, breast like a swan,
a virgin not violated.
Down is not brighter than her shining white hand
green eyes, bright cheeks.
* An excerpt from a longer poem. Stencils are rendered by Dutch artist Co Sinhoven and are his modern interpretation of “The Book of Kells.” All of this artwork is in the public domain. Learn more about the artist here.
