The Celtic Cross - An Irish Symbol of Faith and Hope

In the holy ground of the churchyards of Ireland,mystery, years later, but their frequent use in
simple stone crosses rest in remembrance ofCeltic art and design speaks to spiritual meanings,
those who have passed. For centuries, theseand to the notion of eternity. The spiral, in
ringed crosses, known as Celtic Crosses, haveparticular, is thought to represent growth, and the
been used as symbols of faith and hope, alongjourney through life.
with other crosses, such as High Crosses. A trueWhen the first High Crosses appeared in Celtic
Celtic Cross will always include a central ring, whichlands during the ninth century, they were often
is thought to be borrowed from Pagan rituals ofadorned with zoomorphic, or animal, symbols...but
yore, representing the Sun. The four points of thewhy? Some people feel that many aspects of
Celtic Cross represent the four directions, north,Celtic and High Crosses were borrowed from the
south, east and west.Druids, who worshipped the natural world.
When Celtic Crosses first appeared in Ireland,The addition of complex, richly-detailed animal
they were often decorated with Runic symbols,symbols such as wolfhounds, birds, and other
and sometimes with zoomorphic images ofcreatures, may have been passed down from the
animals as well. While they may have beenDruids. Zoomorphic symbols faded in popularity
considered Pagan symbols back in the day, Celticover the years, and Celtic Crosses continued to
Crosses have become potent symbols ofevolve into their modern variations.
Christianity in Ireland.Today, master craftsmen still embrace the
The Insular Art movement produced many finebeauty and meaning of Celtic Crosses, and many
examples of Celtic Crosses, throughout Ireland,Irish families still place a Cross on the grave of a
Scotland, and Wales. Insular Art is complex,loved one, to symbolize their faith in a higher
symbolic, and somewhat mysterious. The artpower. Today, Celtic Crosses can also be found in
movement gained its name from the fact that isjewelry designs such as pendants, and they are
was impossible to ascertain exactly where the artcrafted of gold, silver, and often precious stones
may have been made. Often, art treasures andsuch as emeralds and diamonds. The pleasing lines
metalwork was moved from one country toand intricate knot work of modern Celtic Cross
another.jewelry designs have made them popular choices
It is certain that many Celtic Crosses were madefor many wearers who wish to honor their Celtic
in Ireland, rather than simply brought there, butheritage.
others have a hazier origin. The Insular artIf you travel to Ireland, you will find ancient and
movement began after the Romans retreatedmodern examples of the Celtic Cross in churches,
from Celtic lands, and grew stronger as the Celticchurchyards, and other landmarks. It is thought
people embraced Christianity.that some Celtic Crosses were placed in the
Irish master artists have a long tradition ofground in order to guide travelers on their
expertise with metalwork and stonework, and, injourney.
past centuries, they added real beauty andThe timeless nature of the Celtic Cross ensures
meaning to Celtic Crosses. Unlike the Crucifix,that each generation discovers its meaning and
which features painful and sad images of Jesus inhistory, decade after decade. The crosses are a
his suffering, the Celtic Cross is more decorativetouching symbol of the past, and an important
and less graphic. For example, the Celtic Crossway to remain in touch with the beliefs and spirit
often features carved symbols and intricate knotof Christianity. Celtic Crosses will always remain an
work that symbolize life-force and the eternalintegral part of Irish art and culture, whether they
nature of all things. Irish master craftsmen soughtare worn as pendants, or placed in remembrance
out many small variations to the Celtic Cross,upon the final resting place of a loved one.
adding a rich, three-dimensional quality to theThe fascinating history and meaning of Celtic
simple structure.Crosses is often steeped in mystery, but there is
Some other examples of decoration used tono doubt that the love of God prompted their
enhance the beauty of stone and metal Celticcreation. For this reason, they will always retain
Crosses are whorls and spirals, popular symbolstheir appeal, and represent the special, unique
used in many Celtic designs of the Insular Artnature of the Celtic people.
period. Some symbols remain wrapped in