What is a Celtic Cross / St. Patrick's Cross?
The Celtic Cross is also known as a St. Patrick's Cross or a High Cross or an Irish Cross. It is one of the best known Irish (or Celtic) symbols, found throughout Ireland. A Celtic Cross is made up of a normal cross, with a ring that travels completely around the cross intersection.
Although the Celtic cross is now closely associated with Christianity, it appears that the Celtic Cross pre-dates Christianity, and its origins are based in an older religion, perhaps even a pagan one. It is commonly thought that in the 5th century, when St. Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity, he chose a Celtic symbol that they were already familiar with, but added new meaning to it, thereby making the transition easier and more acceptable. The legend goes that St. Patrick combined the Christian cross with either the sun or the moon, in an attempt to highlight the importance of the cross by combining it with an existing Celtic symbol of life and eternity. However, it appears that this style of Cross predates St. Patrick, and that Celtic cross designs were already in existence even earlier than the 5th century when St. Patrick was living so this does not explain their origin entirely.
Unlike the traditional Christian cross, the Celtic Cross does not focus so heavily on the image of pain and suffering that a traditional cross invokes. All types of Christians can use a Celtic cross, as well as other groups who consider it "their" symbol too. In modern times, the Celtic Cross is considered to be as much a symbol of ethnic heritage as it is of faith, and it is often used as an emblem of Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity.
The Celtic Cross is also known as a St. Patrick's Cross or a High Cross or an Irish Cross. It is one of the best known Irish (or Celtic) symbols, found throughout Ireland. A Celtic Cross is made up of a normal cross, with a ring that travels completely around the cross intersection.
Although the Celtic cross is now closely associated with Christianity, it appears that the Celtic Cross pre-dates Christianity, and its origins are based in an older religion, perhaps even a pagan one. It is commonly thought that in the 5th century, when St. Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity, he chose a Celtic symbol that they were already familiar with, but added new meaning to it, thereby making the transition easier and more acceptable. The legend goes that St. Patrick combined the Christian cross with either the sun or the moon, in an attempt to highlight the importance of the cross by combining it with an existing Celtic symbol of life and eternity. However, it appears that this style of Cross predates St. Patrick, and that Celtic cross designs were already in existence even earlier than the 5th century when St. Patrick was living so this does not explain their origin entirely.
Unlike the traditional Christian cross, the Celtic Cross does not focus so heavily on the image of pain and suffering that a traditional cross invokes. All types of Christians can use a Celtic cross, as well as other groups who consider it "their" symbol too. In modern times, the Celtic Cross is considered to be as much a symbol of ethnic heritage as it is of faith, and it is often used as an emblem of Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity.
