The oldest Irish manuscripts date from the 6th century. Their decoration was initially devoid of the interlace that would come to characterize the Illuminated Manuscript as we have come to know it today, but manuscipts soon after these early texts began to incorporate local Irish designs, in the form of Celtic spirals and pelta (circular spots). Soon after (concurrent with the rise of Viking activity on the Irish coasts) Germanic styles, with their complicated ribbon interlaces and elongated animal forms, began to make their appearance.

This ornament which inspired this design reflects the influence of both of these artistic traditions.

Identification of the precise symbolism of these highly stylized pieces is always highly tentative, here, however, in the context of the heritage/images illustration of a religious text, it seems probable that the animals are highly abstracted depictions of dogs, symbolic of faith.