The Celtic cross is a variant of the Christian cross that first appeared in Ireland, France, and Great Britain during the Early Middle Ages. It is distinguished by the presence of a nimbus or ring.
Celtic Cross with Circle Meaning
The structure of a Celtic Cross consists of a conventional cross with a circle placed at the point where the arms of the cross meet the stem of the cross. They regard the circle as a representation of eternity. This highlights the unending, unchanging love that God has for all of us, as seen through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our sins.
Even while it is widely recognized as a Christian symbol, the Celtic Cross also has deep ties to ancient pagan beliefs that predate Christianity.
Stone Crosses of Ireland
Wood and metal were likely used in the construction of the first crosses in Ireland, and these early crosses were likely considerably smaller than the massive stone crosses that are seen today.
A high cross, often known as a standing cross, is a type of Christian cross that is free-standing and typically built of stone. Stonemasons who were competent in their trade and who lived and worked in monasteries would have been responsible for the construction of high crosses.
The Celtic High Cross
The High Cross of the Celts is without a doubt one of the most well-known symbols associated with Ireland. The presence of tall crosses throughout Ireland’s landscape has come to be seen as a representation of the country’s long and storied history.
Celtic High Crosses are a type of religious Irish sculpture that were unparalleled in the culture of Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages. These crosses may be found all across the island of Ireland.
The crosses at Kells, Clonmacnoise, and Monasterboice reveal a cooperation between the church and some of the most powerful individuals of early medieval Ireland in the formation of Ireland’s most renowned stone memorial. These crosses portray the legacies of some of the most influential religious authorities, kings, and aristocracy of medieval Ireland.
The Symbolism Behind the Celtic Cross
The meaning of the Celtic Cross may be interpreted in a variety of ways; however, it is most commonly seen of as a symbol of resilience and compassion, in addition to being a metaphor for the highs and lows that are inevitable in life.
These Celtic Irish crosses have four arms that are meant to represent the four elements of nature: fire, earth, water, and air. However, these arms may also be interpreted as representing the heart, body, soul, and mind.
The circle in the center of the Celtic Cross is meant to represent infinite love, which is love that does not have a beginning or an end but continues on forever.
Additionally, it represents the halo that Christ wears, which bestows unending love on the person who wears it. This renowned piece of Celtic jewelry was created over the course of many years by skilled artisans who, across several generations, worked tirelessly to develop a symbol that was meant to represent the aspirations and ideals of the Celts.
Celtic Cross Jewelry
The ancient stone crosses that have been erected to designate religious sites throughout Ireland serve as an inspiration for the jewelry collections known as Celtic Cross.
The Celtic Cross Necklace is an excellent example of Celtic jewelry and a true reflection of Celtic culture. The Irish Jewelry Company has created one-of-a-kind Celtic Crosses out of a range of metals, and they have embellished each of the cross’s four arms with a number of Irish symbols, including the Celtic knot and others. These crosses are available for purchase on the company’s website.
