Celtic Cross Ring

Archaeological digs have unearthed pieces of ancient Celtic jewelry, amongst their many depictions and symbols the Celtic cross featured quite heavily.  The jewelry from those ancient days was wrought out of precious metals by master craftsmen and today stands as testimony of their advanced and sophisticated culture.   While items they found in nature were depicted in their beautiful designs such as of spirals, knots and plaits it was not until later on in their history that the Celtic cross began appearing in their jewelry.

Their traditions were continued by Christian monks after their move away from paganism and many of these relics reside in museums around the world. Modern man today crafts Celtic cross jewelry in its original form yet we perhaps attribute different meanings to the ancient meaning of the Celtic cross.

The Symbolism of the pagan Celtic Cross
As far back as the 4th century we can trace the history of the Celtic cross.  Since that time, it has been associated with Christianity.  Today as then the crucifix making up part of the cross depicts eternity and Gods endless love for us, which became apparent when he gave his son for the benefit of our eternal life.  

During the middle ages the Celtic cross was raised wherever an act of violence had taken place or as a means to depict the churches majesty.  Sometimes these crosses were massive constructions of carved stone, intricately decorated with other Celtic designs.  

While Christianity plays a large role in its symbolism, the Celtic cross can trace its roots back many more centuries.   The pagan Celts used the cross as their most spiritual of symbols as a way to depict the meeting of the divine with the earth’s cosmic forces.  Consisting of a simple cross supported by a circle surrounding it the four sections making up the centre of cross was said to indicate either one of many meanings.

The first reasoning is that section created by the four arms indicated the ancient Celts desire to understand life’s experiences and mysteries in four ways.  These being self, wisdom, nature and gods and goddesses.  

The second reasoning was that the four sections each represented a form of navigation being North, South, East and West.  It was used as a symbolic compass that was able to guide one spiritually through life.  The Celtic cross was said to help concentrate ones thoughts and focus in the right direction and help one find their true north, or their true destination in life.   

Another reasoning is that the four quadrants depict the seasons which marked the four fire festivals prevalent in Celtic culture.  Each festival played a major role in life as they were able to explain and define time which was crucial in providing stability. These festivals encompassed particular events according to each season and in this way reminded the ancients of how transitory life was as depicted by the passing crop yields.

Night and day were also said to be depicted by the Celtic cross where the top line or bar depicted sunrise and the bottom sunset.  The circle was particularly important in this explanation as it gave the sense of the earth.  In this way the ancient Celts were able to keep a rudimentary sense of time.

The divinity of the Celtic cross
No matter each reasoning the where the arms intersected was believed to be the center of the cross.  This center itself held great symbolism and was said to be where the cosmic forces concentrated. When energy was focused on the centre the cross it was able to provide an experience of wholeness and unity with the cosmos.

The Christian Celtic cross can be traced back as far as the 8th century on the arrival of the first Irish missionaries.  Whereas earlier pagan depictions show a ring which supports the four arms of the central cross, Christian Celtic cross are more intricate and highly decorated.

The ring in Christian Celtic crosses depict Christ’s halo while the cross itself depicts Christs crucifix.

Whatever meaning one attributes to the Celtic Cross, whether pagan or Christian it is an ancient symbol.  It has long held its appeal due to its visual embellishments which make it truly Celtic.