What is the origin and meaning of the Celtic cross?

Answer

The Celtic cross is a symbol used in various contexts today, both religious and secular. It resembles a traditional cross but includes a ring around the intersection of the stem and arms. Often, the entire cross is adorned with intricate Gaelic designs. Sometimes, the Celtic cross is placed on a tall base to more closely resemble the conventional Christian cross, while other times it stands alone. It can be as simple as a basic drawing on a gravestone or a religious site, or it can be intricately sculpted. Some refer to the Celtic cross as the “sun cross,” interpreting the ring as symbolizing the sun.

Celtic crosses are adorned with Insular art, featuring elaborate interlacing bands. This artistic style, also known as Hiberno-Saxon art, is closely linked to Celtic Christianity and Irish monasticism. The beautifully detailed Book of Kells, an illustrated Gospel book, showcases excellent examples of Insular art, with similar patterns visible on Celtic crosses. Many Celtic crosses also portray scenes from the Bible.

According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick introduced the Celtic cross while trying to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. Some of these pagans worshipped the sun, leading Patrick to combine the Christian cross with the circular sun pattern to connect light and life with the Christian cross in the minds of his converts. Another tale suggests that Patrick marked the pagan symbol of the moon goddess (a circle) with a cross, blessing the stone and creating the first Celtic cross. Another theory proposes that by placing the symbolOf the cross over the symbol of the sun, Christians were illustrating the supremacy of Christ over the sun god or moon goddess. Other explanations of the origin of the Celtic cross abound. Some will swear it was a phallic symbol that was turned into a cross to conceal its true meaning; others will say that the cross in the circle is a Druid symbol appropriated by Christians. Still another theory is that the ring was added to the cross for practical reasons— the circle connects the arms of the cross to the stem, thus making the whole design sturdier and preventing stone crosses from breaking as easily.

In medieval times, the Celtic cross symbol was used as a public monument— just as present-day Christians often place a cross atop a church— and, if the Celtic cross had engravings of Bible scenes, as a teaching tool. When these crosses marked a religious holy site, they usually had a longer stem and are called Irish high crosses. Today, the Celtic cross is used most often on gravestones and in funerary monuments, but it has also become a symbol of national pride. Those who identify with the Celtic tradition may wear the Celtic cross design on clothing, in jewelry, or as tattoos. Sports teams and other organizations have also been known to use the Celtic cross as a way to show their Irish heritage.