The Celtic cross is like a traditional cross but with a ring around the intersection of the stem and arms.
About Celtic Cross Symbolism. With the abeyance of the ancient Druids, so too vanished centuries of accumulated oral wisdom about the Celtic way of thinking, about their faith and their symbolic perception of the Celtic cross meaning.
The whole cross is often decorated with ornate Gaelic patterns. This Celtic symbol also bears the additional meaning of the duality of male-female, yin-yang and faith vs. worldly things. They have become quite popular and have spread from being used to decorate gravestones to a symbol that has spread beyond Ireland. What remains of Celtic understanding comes to us from Roman writings (which, are biased at best). By exact definition, an Irish Cross or Celtic Cross has to have four semi-circles cut away at the four points where the horizon… Celtic Cross. There is considerable debate over whether they are an original Christian symbol or something that was adopted or modified from earlier native religions. Celtic Maze & Labyrinth Meaning & Symbolism. Ringed crosses, of which the Celtic Cross is simply one manifestation, first appeared in association with Christianity in Ireland and Scotland in the 9thcentury. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t carry useful spiritual symbolism for us today. The Celtic Cross is not found in the Bible so technically is has no definite, Biblical meaning. In this Historyplex article, we will try to understand what is the symbolism of the Celtic cross. No matter which Celtic cross you think of, they typically have the same symbolism. As one of the most common Celtic symbols, the Celtic cross is of significant cultural and religious importance. Meaning of the Celtic Cross. Celtic Cross Meaning and Symbolism. Boydell Press. Symbolic Celtic Cross Meaning. Eternal Love of God and Hope of Salvation. The Celtic cross, considered to be a symbol of eternity, has an ambiguous history and meaning to it. Over time, the Celtic cross has evolved to include different art motifs and Celtic symbols on it as decoration. The Celtic Maze has many pathways and dates back to pre-history. There are many theories regarding the origin of the symbol although none of them could be (and possibly never will be) confirmed. Sometimes the Celtic cross is set on a tall base to resemble more closely the traditional Christian cross, and at other times the symbol stands alone.
The circle in the center typically represents the sun, an important item of worship in Druid religion . The symbolic image of the Celtic cross consists of a cross with a circle or ring at the intersection.
The Celtic cross is a religious symbol seen all over Ireland, Scotland, Britain, and Wales and is now gaining popularity worldwide. Celtic Cross, ©SS1001 at ShutterStock By comparison, a classic labyrinth has one path that winds around to a center point then back outward. Presbyterian and Catholic priests both find the Celtic Cross spiritually meaningful. Christ in Celtic Christianity: Britain and Ireland from the Fifth to the Tenth Century. ISBN 978-0-85115-889-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) • Herren, Michael W.; Brown, Shirley Ann (2002).