Two Worksheets of examples of Animal Letters drawn and adapted from the gospel Book of Kells, Lindisfarne and the Book of Durrow from Medieval times.  Animals were drawn next to the letters and the artist monks soon saw they could combine the two elements. Decorative Animal Letters were born. Interlacing and a tangle of ribbons and distorted animal and bird body parts were wrapped and twisted around or made into letters. Gold pigment was added to the paint and the Gospel pages came to life as illuminations on calf vellum in panels and patterns.

This style of decorated letters is still treasured today and can be adapted to modern day designs. Colours have been changed.

Worksheet 1 

Letters decorated with animals

Worksheet 2

Decorated Animal Letters

More information about the individual examples and the animals can be found in the Posts under the Book of Kells.