The Celtic Cross
What is the origin of the Celtic Cross? Few religious historians would dispute that the Celtic Cross appeared around the time of the Roman Christianisation of Britain, or that it is likely to have been a fusion of the Roman Cross and some other pre Christian symbol, but what exactly might that symbol have looked like?
Ancient Celtic artifacts, such as the gold and stone circle known as ‘The Ripon Jewel’, suggest that the Celtic Wheel predates the Celtic Cross.
Some people believe that the Celtic Wheel, or Circle, represents the four seasons and the interconnection between them, both in practical and spiritual terms. Others have suggested that the cross represented the cirlce of life. One theory claims that it had its uses as an instrument for measurement, rather like a theodolite.
The modern Celtic Cross is probably comprised of a fusion of the two symbols, where the Cardinal points of the Wheel are incorporated into the cross shape, with the Southern Cardinal being extended to create the post of the cross.
However, the Celtic Cross has not always been represented this way. The image to the right shows that as recently as 1938, at least one Welsh Mason still perceived the Southern Cardinal to be separate from the post of the Roman Cross.
This cross is situated in the South Western extremes of the Preseli Hills, on the road between Llanychaer and Fishguard, and overlooks the Preselis in one direction and the Irish Sea in the other. Does anyone out there have anything to add to this?
Thanks for looking
Editor’s note: Read more on this subject, and others like it, in Stonehenge Bluestone II