What is the origin and meaning of the Celtic cross? | GotQuestions.org
6 views
What does St. Patrick have to do with the Celtic cross? Is the Celtic cross pagan or Christian? In this video we answer your question: What is the origin and meaning of the Celtic cross?
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Celtic-cross.html
- 00:00
- Hi there, many others like you have asked. What is the origin and meaning of the
- 00:05
- Celtic Cross? Let's find out, shall we? You can discover more answers in our massive library at gotquestions .org.
- 00:13
- The Celtic Cross is a symbol used today in many contexts, both religious and secular.
- 00:18
- It's designed like a traditional cross, but with a ring around the intersection of the stem and arms.
- 00:24
- The whole cross is decorated often with ornate Gaelic patterns and sometimes set on a tall base, resembling more closely the traditional
- 00:33
- Christian cross. At other times, the symbol stands alone. The Celtic Cross is sometimes nothing more than a simple stick drawing on a gravestone.
- 00:42
- Other times, it is sculpted and quite ornate. The Celtic Cross is also called the
- 00:48
- Sun Cross by some who interpret the ring to represent the sun. Celtic Crosses are decorated with insular art, characterized by elaborately interlacing bands.
- 00:59
- This style of art, also known as Hiberno -Saxon art, is closely associated with Celtic Christianity and Irish monasticism.
- 01:07
- The fabulously ornate Book of Kells, an illustrated copy of the Four Gospels, contains wonderful examples of insular art, and the same type of patterns visible in the
- 01:18
- Book of Kells can also be seen on the Celtic Cross. Many Celtic Crosses also depict scenes from the
- 01:24
- Bible. The origin legends abound with the Celtic Cross. Some Irish believe it was first introduced by Saint Patrick, attempting to convert the sun -worshiping pagan
- 01:34
- Irish to Christianity. It is said that Patrick combined the Christian cross with the circular pattern of the sun, as a way to associate light and life with the
- 01:44
- Christian cross in the minds of his converts. Another story has Patrick marking the pagan circle symbol of the moon goddess with a cross, blessing the stone and making the first Celtic Cross.
- 01:57
- Another theory suggests that the symbol of the cross atop the symbol of the sun illustrates the supremacy of Christ over the sun god or moon goddesses.
- 02:07
- Other explanations of the origin of the Celtic Cross abound. Some will swear it was a phallic symbol or a druid symbol appropriated by Christians.
- 02:16
- Still, another theory is simple, that the ring was added to the cross for structural reasons.
- 02:21
- The circle connects the arms to the stem, preventing stone crosses from breaking as easily. In medieval times, the
- 02:28
- Celtic Cross symbol was used as a public monument, just as present -day Christians often place a cross atop a church.
- 02:35
- When these crosses marked a religious holy site, they usually had a longer stem and are called
- 02:41
- Irish High Crosses. In conclusion, today the Celtic Cross is used most often on gravestones and in funerary monuments, but it also has become a symbol of national pride.
- 02:53
- The icon is found on clothing, in jewelry, or as tattoos. Sports teams and other organizations have also been known to use the
- 03:00
- Celtic Cross as a way to show their Irish heritage. Alright, that answers your question.