The History, Meaning and Symbolism of the Irish Celtic Cross

The Celtic Cross is known throughout the world as a symbol of Irish heritage. Find out more about the distinctive features, origin, history, uses, symbolism and meaning of these magnificent stone monuments.

Crosses are a Feature of the Irish Countryside

On any road trip around the beautiful Irish countryside you are likely to see a Celtic stone cross on your travels. Located in almost every one of the 32 counties, Celtic crosses are synonymous with Ireland. These magnificent stone crosses are beautifully commemorated in Celtic cross jewellery and other decorative arts both ancient and modern.

The Four Distinctive Features of a "Celtic" Cross

There are 300 or so “high” stone crosses, the oldest still standing in Ireland that date from the 8th century to the 12th century. The crosses themselves are often intricately carved with the earliest depicting knot work and later crosses including imagery of bible stories and inscriptions.

They are impressive and imposing features in the Irish landscape. Early crosses stand on average at least eight feet tall with some later crosses closer to 20 feet! The very tallest is an imposing 23 feet high. Despite this variation in size, there are several distinctive features of these ancient Celtic Crosses including:

The Base: This is not always present. But when it is, it is usually a pyramid shape and sometimes carved, giving extra height to the cross.

The Shaft: This is usually divided on all sides into "faces" - typically in North, South, East, West orientation into panels that house intricate designs or artwork depicting figures.

The Head: This can be subdivided into the centre and the arms of the cross. Most stone crosses have a distinctive ring shape around the centre of the head. Many consider this ring as the key defining feature of a Celtic cross.

The Cap: This sits at the top of the upper arm of the cross, "capping" it and giving further height. It is often not present or lost in ancient high stone crosses.

The Meaning and Symbolism of the Celtic Cross

As noted above, the shape of the head of the cross is considered by many to be the defining feature of a Celtic Cross. Structurally, the ring shape gives the cross strength, supporting the arms of the cross. This lead some scholars to consider this shape a continuation of a form required for earlier more delicate wooden crosses.

Halo, Sun or Shield?

Others suggest the ring depicts the a halo or disc shape around a head. Some think it represents a celestial sphere, like the sun as is depicted in a 5th century Christian Poem, Carmen Paschale.

Still others suggest that the ring and the “rivet” or "boss" shaped carvings on some early crosses represent some form of metalwork, or even the Celtic shield. There are carvings on some ancient stone crosses that appear like metal binding strips, studs, and bosses, typical of bronze objects from that time. So it is possible that masons may have been translating designs from metal work into stone.

This would be another example of merging Christian and Celtic imagery, a tactic reportedly used by St. Patrick and other early missionaries of the Catholic Church in their attempts to convert the Celts to Christianity.

Some historians suggest that the basic shape and great hight of these crosses may have mirrored trees, which Celts also revered. Christian missionaries arriving in Ireland in the 5th century would have been keen not to upset their would-be converts.

By merging the Christian imagery of the cross and halo with important local imagery of trees and the sun, this new religion would have been more 'familiar' and more acceptable, presumably making for easier converts.

What was the Celtic Cross Used for?

Truthfully, no one is really certain why people first started erecting such huge stone monuments like the High stone crosses. What is known is that the High Crosses are typically located at or near important monasteries.

They may have been used to define special parts of the monastery, with the stories depicted in their carvings used for preaching, teaching scripture, prayer, and penance.

The more elaborately carved crosses would have also signified the wealth and authority of the monastery. Many crosses commemorate an event or a patron with several dedicated to important saints, including St. Patrick, or Irish High Kings.

History of the Celtic Cross

Irish stone crosses are thought to have developed from slab crosses. As the name suggests slab crosses were big blocks of stone, often granite, with crosses carved onto them. By at least the 8th century, some inventive artisan stonemason decided to knock out the pieces between the arms of the cross, creating the first true ‘Celtic Cross’.

Perhaps one of the oldest surviving free-standing stone cross in Ireland is at Carndonagh, Donegal, also known as the Donagh, or St. Patrick’s Cross. Tradition suggests that a church or monastery was founded here in the fifth century by Saint Patrick himself along side Irish missionaries.

St. Patrick’s Cross, also known as the Carndonagh cross, is beautifully decorated with both Christian depictions and Celtic artwork, evidence for its early creation. This decoration includes interlace and knot work patterns that are similar to those found in The Book of Durrow that symbolise the Tree of Life. Christian imagery depicts Jesus in a victorious stance close to the bottom of the shaft of the cross rather than suffering on the cross, which is thought to portray everlasting life in Christ.

Evolution of the Celtic Cross

Celtic “High” Crosses are freestanding stone crosses that date from the 8th to 12th century. In the oldest crosses from this period, like the Carndonagh Cross, the arms of the cross often don’t extend outside the ring with carvings usually depicting ancient celtic symbols and geometric designs. Later crosses from this period are often larger and decorated with biblical scenes.

After the 12th century these crosses evolved to become boundary or territorial markers and are often referred to solely as Celtic Crosses, rather than “High Crosses”, even though many are still quite tall!

Celtic Crosses became very fashionable in the 18th Century during the “Celtic Revival” with intricately carved crosses and a return to geometric symbols used to mark graves and memorials - any Irish person worth their salt literally wouldn’t be seen dead without a Celtic Cross!

Since that time the Celtic Cross as a symbol has reached beyond monastic sites and graveyards into modern day logos, decorating t-shirts, tattoos, and of course handsome heirloom jewellery. The Celtic Cross is now recognised worldwide as a symbol of Ireland.

Celtic Cross Pendants by My Irish Jeweler

Our Celtic Cross pendants and necklaces and our recreations of High stone crosses are inspired by the fantastic history and beautiful symbolism of the standing stone crosses of Ireland. Carefully crafted in precious silver and gold, like their stone counterparts these crosses are made to last, and can be passed on as a treasured heirloom.

These crosses are worn proudly by people worldwide who share an appreciation of Irish culture. And with crosses to suit Men, Women and children we have pieces that will suit all tastes.