The Celtic Cross is a symbol repeatedly used in Scottish Celtic Jewelry sold as Irish and Scottish Gifts through many high street stores, online, and tourist retail outlets. In fact some jewelry manufacturers rely on Celtic symbols for their jewelry range. Influences of Celtic art can be found in many jewelry pieces in varying degrees. Some jewelry is a copy of ancient examples of Celtic symbolism whilst other pieces have been heavily influenced. The Celtic influence can be seen in the work of Glasgow born jeweller Archibald Knox whose designs were associated with British Art Nouveau.
There is no doubt that the Celtic Cross holds a timeless appeal. But what exactly is its meaning and where did it come from?
Compared to today information sources of ancient times are limited and in some instances non existent. For example little is known of the ancient Scottish Picts as they had no form of written record.
Start researching the origins of the Celtic Cross and you will find many explanations. Some believe the ancient Druids carved the original Celtic Cross from standing stones to disguise there original purpose. Most people believe the Celtic Cross originates from the 7th Century. Monks erected upright crosses in Ireland and later in Great Britain. Today examples can be found in Ireland, Cornwall, Wales, and in Scotland including the Island of Iona and the Hebrides.
The Celtic Cross is easily recognised by the combination of a plain Christian cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. It is widely believed that it was originally introduced in Ireland using a combination of the Christian Cross and Pagan Sun Cross. This combination was used to persuade the pagans of the time to adopt Christianity. The Pagan Sun Cross is simply a circle with a ‘+’ or cross in the middle. i.e a Celtic Cross without the extensions running outside the enclosing circle. The Sun Cross can be found in many prehistoric items. It dates back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age and represents the Sun and the Tree of Life.
The Celtic Cross was used extensively until the 16th Century. In the mid 19th Century it underwent a revival in Ireland where it was used as a grave marker. Many examples can be found today.
Today the Celtic cross has many meanings religious, cultural identity or used simply as a decoration. Its influences can still be seen in the many jewelry designs today. Its is widely sold in various forms in many retail outlets and tourist shops. It can also be found on t-shirts, tattoos, emblems and logos and so the list goes on.
In Scotland noted jewellers Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie used Celtic artwork in their jewelry. They opened a shop on Iona in 1899. Their work was inspired by the patterns found on the Celtic crosses of Iona. They sold a huge range of jewelry using many materials including enamel wood, leather, and linen. The book Iona Celtic Art by E. Mairi MacArthur provides an account of their work.
This article has given a brief introduction to a symbol with origins in ancient times and with origins open to some argument. But the next time you purchase some Celtic jewelry or see a Celtic cross in a town or village square or in an Irish cemetery you will have some idea of its origins. With additional research you will be able to identify the different types and influences by various cultures.
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