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CELTIC CROSS
A "Celtic cross" is not just any cross, and it has
more intrigue than just Celtic knot work engraving; Celtic crosses are, in fact,
much older than Christianity.
It is an equal-armed cross,
enclosed or backed by a circle. The cross can symbolize the four quarters of the earth,
and/or the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water). The
circle is a symbol of eternity and the path of the sun in
the sky. With the introduction to Christianity, it became
more common to see the equal-armed cross atop a matching
pedestal, which gave it a more elongated form.
After the conversion of the Celtic people to
Christianity, the Celtic Cross became an emblem of the
Celtic Christian Church. Irish legend holds that the cross
was introduced to Ireland by St. Columba, so it is sometimes
referred to as Columba's cross, or the Ionic cross, after
his monastery on the isle of Iona.
The oldest Celtic crosses were carved into large slabs of
rock that lay flat on the ground. Later versions stand in an
upright position, with rock carved away from the cross.
Tenth-century Irish crosses were sometimes capped with a
pitched roof.
Celtic crosses were often decorated with
interlaced knot work, spirals, key patterns, animal figures,
foliage designs, and Biblical stories. Some crosses were
memorials, inscribed with names of individuals; modern Celtic
crosses are often used as tombstones in Irish churchyards.
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