How to Draw a 4-Sided Celtic Knot

Celtic knot designs are popular for tattoos, jewelry, crafts, and may also be used as religious/spiritual symbols. A four-sided knot loop is one of the simplest Celtic knot patterns, similar to the three-sided Triquetra knot. The basic pattern is outlined below, but you can add other flourishes, or interlace it with other knots.

Tools

Graphics software or pencil, ruler, protractor, and compass.

Instructions

Step 1: Draw a perfect square.

Step 2: Take the four vertices of the square as the centers of four circles and draw four 3/4 circles around the sides of the square. (See diagram below.)


Step 3: Around the edges of the square draw eight new points that are 1/4 of the distance from each corner. For instance, if the square is 4 cm, place the points 1 cm away from each corner.

Step 4: Again, use the corners of the square as the centers of four new circles that pass through the points you drew in Step 3. These inner circles will have 3/4 the radius of the previous circles. (See diagram below.)


Step 5: Erase some of the overlapping lines of the figure so that the four loops are interlaced symmetrically.

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