Yule Elf Viking Godmask

Most of our Christmas traditions have their roots in Viking culture where the time of year for decorated trees and garland was knows as Yule or Jol. Even Santa’s elves have their history in the folklore of the Vikings where elves and dwarves played a prominent role. This Yule Elf is done in a Viking artwork style and is what is called a “godmask.” Celebrate the Yule season Viking style!

Black and Gray Yule Elf Tee

Red and Green Yule Elf Tee

"MJÖLNIR MEAD"

CLOSE UP VIEW OF THE "MJÖLNIR MEAD" DESIGN

Mjölnir, the mightiest of all mythological weapons. The war hammer of the god of thunder, Thor! The powerful symbol of the strongest of war implements has been worn by warriors and those looking for strength and protection for centuries.

New Mjölnir Design!

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The Norse/Germanic god of thunder, Thor was one of the most popular deities in the Medieval world. His popularity continues to the present day. In fact, you may even say that Thor is seeing a resurgence of popularity, and not just because of the Marvel movies that portray him as a sort of awkward frat boy from outer space. TV shows such as the Vikings, Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, etc. have stirred an interest in Thor and the other gods of old.

New Celtic Cross Designs!

This Celtic Cross design looks as though it was carved from stone! Click for a closer look.

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The Celtic Cross is one of the most popular and enduring symbols of Celtic identity and culture. In the Dark Ages, as the Celtic populations of Britain and Ireland were converted to Christianity, they brought some of their older, pre-Christian  style to the symbols of Christianity. What was born was the Celtic Cross. A unique blend of the Old Celtic religion and the new Christian religion.

'Grunge' Celtic Cross

"GRUNGE" CELTIC CROSS

   The Celtic Cross is one of the most recognizable symbols of Celtic culture. In this design, the Dark Ages meet the Modern Age by combining the Celtic cross with some stylish "grunge" effects. Splatters and smears create a stylish weathered look to the Celtic Cross.

'The Green Man', or 'Jack o' the Green'

Is he a symbol of nature, and the rebirth of nature once winter has retreated and the sun has returned, or is he a symbol of Anglo Saxon resistance to Norman invaders....

THE GREEN MAN

The mysterious Green Man continues to captivate people

This latest design is of the GREEN MAN! This frondescent fellow is very much a mystery, but it is widely accepted that he is a pre-Christian, Celtic nature spirit representing the cycle of life, and the rebirth of plants and nature in the Spring. The green man went into hiding with the spread of Christianity, but vestiges of his viny visage continued to appear in the carvings of churches, chapels, and cathedrals. In fact, there are more than 110 green men carved into the crevices of the esoteric Rosslyn Chapel (the cryptic chapel associated with the Knights Templar after they were disbanded and went into hiding). 

Celtic Harp

While the shamrock gets most of the glory in modern times, it's actually the Celtic harp that has been the major emblem of Ireland throughout history! The history of this emblem of the Emerald Isle stretches back into ancient times. It was the most sought after instrument throughout all of the Celtic lands, not just Ireland. Scotland, Wales, Brittany, anywhere there were vestiges of Celtic culture you would find the Celtic harp.

New "Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology" Design

Initial Sketch

COMPLETED DESIGN

"Fenrir: The Monster Wolf of Norse Mythology

The legend of Fenrir has many interesting  stories attached to it, but perhaps the most well known is how Fenrir came to bite off the hand of the Nordic god, Týr (from whom we get "Týrsday, or Tuesday as it is now known). Týr was brave enough to place his hand INSIDE the mouth of Fenrir while the other Nordic god's bound Fenrir with a magical ribbon made by the dwarves. Fenrir, who was able to break every other chain up until the magical dwarf ribbon was unable to free himself, and bit off Týr's hand in a rage! Týr is now most commonly depicted as missing a hand.

New Odin on Sleipnir Design!

Brand new original artwork now available on all of Celtic Hammer Club's quality apparel.

This design has Norse god, Odin riding on his faithful eight legged steed, Sleipnir. It also has Mjölnir, the magical hammer of the Norse god, Thor.

This is original artwork and is only available at Celtic Hammer Club

A close up look at the design:

New Samhain (Halloween) Designs!!!

Shop Celtic Hammer Club Samhain (Halloween) Apparel NOW!

It's that time of year again! Time to break out the zip ups and crack open the pumpkin ales! It's almost time to celebrate SAMHAIN, or as many of you know it, Halloween!

Halloween is so much fun. Carving pumpkins, dressing up, scary movies, and, of course, lots of candy. What many don't know, is that the spectacle of Halloween and all its goblin goodness has its feet firmly planted in the traditions of the pre-Christian Celtic peoples of Ireland and Scotland!

That's right! Everything from carving pumpkins (although they used turnips back then) to the superstitious practices of trick-or-treating have their origins with the ancient Celts! For this reason, Halloween is near and dear to Celtic Hammer Club, since we love all things Celtic!

Our Samhain designs pay homage to the Celtic roots of Halloween while also celebrating the fun of being a little scared every October 31st. Creepy twisted trees, unsettling witches with their black magic, jack o' lanterns poised at window sills to ward off evil spirits are all part of the tradition represented on our one of a kind apparel.

If you love Halloween as much as we do, you're going to want to get a tee or a zip up to really stand out at your Halloween party or parade!

Men's, women's, zip ups, and more all available at celtichammerclub.com

Women's styles also available in all designs



ALSO, TRAVEL MUGS, PHONE CASES, POSTERS, PRINTS AND MORE!

Samhain (Halloween) Accessories!

Celtic Cross - Hammer!

SHOP FOR APPAREL WITH THIS DESIGN HERE!

   I've always thought Celtic crosses looked cool. The image of stone crosses with the intricate medieval ornamentation dotting the rolling hills of Britain and Ireland is almost eerie. It makes me think of a time when the "magic" of the old pagan ways was just meeting the new Roman Christianity. They are like a window into the past; remnants of an older, mysterious world. Not to mention the artwork on the crosses is incredible.

   I have also been captivated by the art work of the Vikings and Medieval Germanic peoples. Their interaction with the Celts over previous centuries led to similar styles in ornamentation (for example, when you see Celtic artwork that incorporates animal motifs, this is actually Germanic/Norse in origin rather than Celtic, but the Celts adopted the style and used it extensively in their own works. These motifs are now often identified as Celtic as much as they are Norse/Germanic).

   I have also been particularly captivated by the Mjolnir symbol worn since the Vikings were haunting the high seas. I love it's simplicity and the strength and protection that it represents.

   So, I am always looking for ways to emulate the Celtic and Norse styles into my own designs. The new design below is no different. It combines the Celtic symbol of the Celtic cross with the Nordic symbol of Mjolnir to create a powerful image that pays homage to the past while keeping the spirit of the symbolism alive in the present day.

The Men's tee is pictured below, but, as always, we have styles for the girls and zip hoodies available HERE!

Celtic Cross/Hammer Combo Tee

"Angel of Death" Celtic Harp

The Celtic harp is a triangular harp traditional to Brittany, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In Ireland and Scotland it was a wire-strung instrument requiring great skill and long practice to play, and was associated with the Gaelic ruling class. In the Republic of Ireland, it appears on the coins and coat of arms. You'll even find it on the pints of Guinness that you have been guzzling down!

The Irish Brigades of the American Civil War identified themselves with a green flag emblazoned with a harp. This version incorporates an angel into the construction of the instrument with the phrase "Erin Go Bragh" ("Ireland Forever") beneath the celestial looking harp.

I wanted to recreate this image, but with a Celtic Hammer Club twist (as always). I could have drawn my own beautiful, heavenly, cosmic, stellar, cherub and turned her into the front piece of the magnificent harp. But, no. I decided to create a bad ass looking skull and bones, jagged wings, and some additional Celtic swirls and knots to create the Celtic Hammer Club "Angel of Death" Celtic harp!

Men's, women's, tanks, hoodies, etc. all available HERE!!!!

Check out all of the "Angel of Death" Celtic Harp styles in the online store!

"Patrick was a Saint, I AIN'T!"

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day!

I created this evil looking leprechaun dude for some unique designs to celebrate the most fabulous of all the holidays, SAINT PATRICK'S DAY! Take a look and share with friends and family. I actually think these shirts would be pretty cool to wear year round, but obviously you will be ESPECIALLY awesome wearing it during the St. Patrick's Day season. Check it OUT!

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SHOP THIS DESIGN!

"BERSERKER TRAINING!" Gear

Go BERSERK in the gym with some Celtic Hammer Club "Berserker Training" gym apparel.

Viking "Berserkers" were an elite group of Viking warriors. Known as "Odin's special warrirors", they fought with such insane ferocity that they didn't even distinguish between friend or foe! Basically, anything that came near a Berserker while in a trance-like fury was about to become hamburger meat!

Celtic Hammer Club has used the legendary intensity of the Berserker warriors to create this line of gym apparel for those of you who like to go berserk in the gym! There are tanks, muscle shirts, and t-shirts featuring a very intense, over-the-top Berserker getting his swole on.

CHC "BERSERKER Training" Gear

"His (Odin's) men rushed forwards without armour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild oxen, and killed people at a blow, but neither fire nor iron told upon them."

"Luck of the Irish!"

"Luck of the Irish" apparel now available in the CHC store!

Feeling lucky? This original, one of a kind design features one of the most iconic slogans of the Irish people, but why are Irish people considered to be “lucky”? When Irish immigrants came to America, they faced so much adversity and hardship that the term “luck of the Irish” became popular as a sort of sarcastic joke to describe the poor Irish immigrants’ decidedly bad luck.

Since then, the slogan has taken on new meaning, and the four leaf shamrock is considered a particularly lucky symbol for the Irish and Irish culture.

This design can be a fun way to express your Irish pride any time of the year, but it would also make a particularly great gift for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations!

SHOP ALL OF CELTIC HAMMER CLUB ST. PATRICK'S DAY APPAREL HERE!

Irish Gangland Designs

Two new designs!!!

These two are inspired by two different Irish gangs that were active in the Eastern United States during the 19th Century. The Dead Rabbits and the Molly Maguires.

SHOP FOR ALL APPAREL WITH THESE DESIGNS!

DEAD RABBITS                   MOLLY MAGUIRES

The Dead Rabbits

The Dead Rabbits were a notorious Irish gang that dominated the nefarious Five Points neighborhood of New York City during the mid to late 1800’s. The Dead Rabbits became part of popular culture when they were portrayed in Martin Scorsese’s 2006 film “Gangs of New York” with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the fictional leader of the well known gang.

The Dead Rabbits Gang was easily identified by the red striped shirts they wore to show their affiliation with the gang. This design incorporates the red stripes that look almost like blood or paint smears across the background of the image of a rabbit’s skull, and some Celtic Knots to reflect the Irish culture associated with the Dead Rabbits gang.

Also, The words “Dead Rabbits” and a reference to the historical and notorious Five Points neighborhood surround the rabbit skull in a vintage biker club style. This was done to tie in the old with the new to create a truly original design.

Original Dead Rabbits Design by Celtic Hammer Club

The Molly Maguires

The Molly Maguires were a secret society of Irishmen that were active in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania during the late 19th century, and by active I mean they used physical violence to fight back against the coal bosses whose treatment of their workers were nothing short of oppressive. In fact, some consider the Mollies to be a direct precursor to organized labor in the United States.

The design is done in a vintage “chalk board” style which fits perfectly for the Molly Maguires design since the style is a throw back to the 19th century saloon signs. If you look closely at all the different text on the design, you’ll see references to Molly Maguire history. The “coffin notes”, a quote from a Molly Maguire, and the legendary hand print of Alexander Campbell is imprinted on the shamrock in the middle.

Original Molly Maguires Design by Celtic Hammer Club

If you like these designs, but you would rather have them as a poster, coffee mug, travel mug, sticker, phone case, etc. ALL of those items and MORE are now available!!! Click the link to check out everything that is available.

Merry Krampus!

SHOP THE CELTIC HAMMER CLUB COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL KRAMPUS GEAR!

Krampus. Oh that damned Krampus! Rattling his chains, slurping his grotesque tongue, whipping all the bad boys and girls with his birch branch! AAAAGGHHH!

SHOP THE FULL LINE OF APPAREL WITH THIS DESIGN HERE!

I actually never heard of Krampus until about a year ago, but once I looked into the tradition I was hooked! The lore of Krampus originates with the Germanic peoples of Europe and stretches back to pre-Christian times. However, as Christianity took over Europe, Krampus was incorporated as a kind of counter balance to St. Nicholas. While good ol' St. Nick was going around rewarding good little boys and girls with presents, Krampus was out there beating the hell out of the bad ones! Krampus would also rattle his rusty chains to scare bad children. If you were an especially rotten little boy or girl, Krampus would actually KIDNAP you and carry you away in his sack to his lair! Ohhhhhhhhh, that's Krampus for ya!

How horrifying! A lot more scary than getting coal in your stocking. That is for sure! Apparently, German fathers used to get drunk, dress up as Krampus, and scare the bejeezus out of their children! Quite a departure from the contemporary image of the father dressing up as Santa Claus. I can't help but laugh at this since the idea of scaring your beloved child half to death on a day that is associated with joy and happiness just seems extreme to the point of silliness.

Now a days, Krampus is a source of tongue in cheek humor, and since Celtic Hammer Club is a fan of both humor and ancient traditions, we have a line of items to celebrate Krampus, the Christmas demon!

Only at Celtic Hammer Club

Gruss Vom Krampus Apparel

"Gruss Vom Krampus" translates to "Greetings from the Krampus"
This saying adorns most of the Krampus postcards exchanged
during the holiday season.

This design is based on the tradition of exchanging post cards with different images of Krampus during the holidays. Traditionally, the cards are red with black lettering that says "Gruss Vom Krampus". This apparel is a reflection of that tradition.

Keltic Krampus Apparel

An ominous looking "Keltic" style Krampus

This is an original design done in a "Keltic" style. It is meant to look like an ancient Krampus artifact that was just dug up by an archaeologist somewhere. It has a kind of ominous look to it.

and don't forget that there are limited edition Krampus greeting cards available!

Merry Krampus to all! Be good!

-CHC-

Hammer of Thor (Mjölnir) Graphic Tee Design. NEW!

New "Hammer of Thor (Mjölnir)" Series

Out with the old and in with the new! We were running a "Hammer of Thor" tee for a while, but I felt the need to totally revamp the design. I'm really happy with the end result. Check it out below:

SHOP THE FULL LINE OF APPAREL HERE!

For those of you who don't already know, Mjölnir is the name of the weapon used by the Norse god of thunder, Thor. The symbol at the center of this design is based on Mjölnir amulets worn around the necks of Vikings during the Middle Ages. It is meant to symbolize strength and protection.

Take some time to look at the details in and around the hammer. Anyone interested in Viking history, or in Celtic art would appreciate it.

Check out all of the Celtic Hammer Club apparel featuring this design in the shop! It would make a perfect gift for all of you mead drinking heathens out there!

Karin Kaos Wolters making the women's Mjölnir tank look bad ass!

Hammer of Thor Men's Tee

Hammer of Thor Women's Scoop

Don't forget to check out all of the other cool accessories available with the Mjölnir design on it. Maybe a coffee mug for those ungodly hours between drinking sessions, or maybe a poster or framed print for your Viking themed man-cave!

"CHC Logo Distressed" NEW DESIGN!

Buy Men's and Women's apparel in the CHC Store!

Back again with a new design!

The Celtic Hammer Club (CHC) logo has a lot of history and meaning behind it. 

Mjolnir Amulaet as worn by Vikings of the Middle Ages

One, the hammer shape at its center is styled after Mjolnir, the name of the war hammer wielded by Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Mjolnir amulets were worn by Vikings of the Middle Ages, and thousands have been recovered by archaeologists in the British Isles.. It represents strength. 

The Book of Kells Showing extensive Celtic artwork

Second, the insular style knot work and spirals that decorate the hammer were popular in both Celtic and Germanic cultures, but has become synonymous with Celtic culture. Basically, it serves as a visual cue to the Celtic themes and artwork on CHC apparel. 

A drawing of a tattooed or painted Celtic warrior
The blue Cirlce around the CHC logo represents this 
element of Celtic history/culture

Finally, the blue circle that surrounds the hammer that looks like a paint smear. It ties the whole thing together into a neat circular logo, but I chose to use the color blue after the blue war paint that some Celtic tribes wore when going into battle. Again, its just another little representation of Celtic history and culture.

This particular version of the CHC logo is "distressed". It gives it a vintage look, and makes it look almost like a shield that's been through a war. Even if you don't have ancestors from Northern Europe, it's still a pretty cool image to rock on a shirt, and definitely unique. Check out both men's and women's apparel in the shop.

CHC Logo "Distressed"

Samhain (Halloween)

SEE THE FULL RANGE OF ORIGINAL SAMHAIN DESIGNS AND APPAREL HERE!

Samhain (Halloween) Apparel

 I absolutely love October. It finally cools off enough that I can feel comfortable again. I love the look of the leaves as they change color. I love all the pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers that are out, and I love Halloween.

What I didn't realize until adulthood was that all the Halloween traditions that I grew up with had its roots in pre-Christian, Pagan, Gaelic Ireland and Scotland. Everything from witches to pumpkin carving to dressing in costumes and trick or treating comes from the ancient Celtic cultures. They called the holiday Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), and it was a day that marked the end of the summer harvest season, and the start of the "darker" part of the year; the start of the winter. Celtic tradition held that the doorway between the living and the dead was open during the night of Samhain, and that both the dead and faeries known as the Aos Si roamed the land freely on the night of Samhain.

Creepy stuff, but the similarities to today's Halloween traditions are obvious.When I started to learn about Samhain I was as thrilled as Miley Cyrus riding a wrecking ball to find out that my love of Celtic history and my love of Halloween went together like potatoes and whiskey!

So i was inspired to create a special Jack O'Lantern design in honor of the Samhain holiday.

TO BEGIN..... I started with a sketch of our favorite Irishman. Mr. Jack O'Lantern (I know, that joke is unforgivable. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.) I wanted him to look sort of cartoony, but still really bad-ass and scary looking. I also wanted his vines to twist into Celtic knots underneath him to make sure this particular Jack O'Lantern had a very Irish/Celtic look to him. I also really exaggerated the flames coming out of the top of him just to add more edge to the whole image:

Sketch

THEN... Colored him in:

Colored Version

AND FINALLY... created the rest of the text and other decorative items to create the final image for the Celtic Hammer Club Apparel:

Final Image

It's got kind of a vintage "chalkboard" look to it, but, as always with Celtic Hammer Club designs, the text on the shirt has historical significance and the artwork is edgy.

I will be leaving this shirt available for purchase year round just in case some of you miss out this year (I know that's unthinkable, but there are always a few...). It's never too early to prepare for the next Halloween.

-CHC