History of the Celtic Cross, or High Cross, in Ireland

A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. The archaic English word for cross as an instrument of torture is rood (literally "pole", cognate with rod). The word cross in English derives only indirectly from Latin crux via Old Irish and possibly Old Norse, introduced in the 10th century.

It is the characteristic symbol of Celtic Christianity, though the symbol has older, pre-Christian origins. Such crosses formed a major part of Celtic art. This design is also referred to as the high cross, Irish Cross, or the Cross of Iona.

In Celtic regions of Ireland and Great Britain, many free-standing upright crosses — or high crosses — were erected, beginning at least as early as the 7th Century. Some of these 'Celtic' crosses bear inscriptions in runes. There are surviving free-standing crosses in Cornwall (famously St Piran's cross at Perranporth) and Wales, on the island of Iona and in the Hebrides, as well as the many in Ireland. Other stone crosses are found in the former Northumbria and Scotland, and further south in England, where the merge with the similar Anglo-Saxon cross making tradition, in the Ruthwell Cross for exampled. The most famous standing crosses are the Cross of Kells, County Meath, Ireland, Ardboe Auld Cross, Ardboe, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, the crosses at Monasterboice, County Louth, Ireland, and the Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise, Ireland. This representation is often related to the numerous representation of crosses combined with a circle before Christianity. Often called "sun cross", they can be found in Bronze Age Europe (Nordic Bronze Age, Urnfield culture). But there is a constant difference: only the Christian cross shows arms outside the circle, while the sun cross is totaly surrounded by its circle. Moreover, the sun crosses are sometimes made with more than 4 arms.

Irish Myth

In Ireland, it is a popular myth that the Celtic cross was introduced to the island by Saint Patrick during his time converting the pagan Irish. It is believed that he combined the symbol of Christianity, a cross, with the symbol of the sun, to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the idea of the life-giving properties of the sun.

Modern Usage

Today the Celtic cross is recognized around the world not just as a religious icon but also as a symbol of Irish cultural heritage. Items of jewellery featuring the Celtic cross, especially necklaces, continue to be a popular favourite. The design is often highly ornamented in modern Celtic artwork, and Celtic cross tattoos of all shapes and sizes are also extremely popular.

Muiredach's High Cross, Monasterboice, Co. Louth

The Cross of Muiredach in Monasterboice gets its name from the carvings at the base of the west face, where the inscription is intertwined around two cats. This asks for a prayer for Muiredach, for whom the cross was made - he was the patron who commissioned the work. It's unclear who specifically this refers to, although scholars have speculated that it may be abbot Muiredach mac Domhnaill who died in 923. The cross is 5.5-metres high (18 ft), and is regarded as the finest example of a Celtic high cross in Ireland.

The carving on the cross is fascinating, depicting a large number of scenes organized into panels. In general the east side of a high cross contains scenes from the Old Testament and the west face, from the New. Here, the east face shows Adam and Eve and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Cain and Abel, Moses striking the rock, Samson toppling the pillars and David with the head of Goliath, while the west face shows the Flight into Egypt, the baptism of Christ, Christ being mocked by Roman soldiers and Christ in the tomb.

There are also some more unusual scenes, for example the carving of two men pulling each other's beard.

Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly

Cross of the Scriptures. This 4-metre high sandstone cross is one of the most skillfully executed of the surviving high crosses in Ireland, and of particular interest for its surviving inscription, which asks a prayer for Flann, King of Ireland, and Colmán who made the cross, both individuals who were also responsible for the building of the Cathedral. The cross was carved from a single piece of sandstone around 900 A.D. The surface of the cross has been divided into panels, showing scenes including the Crucifixion, the Last Judgement, and Christ in the Tomb. While the original one has been moved into the visitors centre, a replica stands outdoors in the original place.

Dysert Cross, Corofin, County Clare

A 12th century cross at Dysert O'Dea near O'Dea Castle showing Christ and a bishop carved in high relief on the east side, with geometric motifs and animal ornament on the other sides. On the west side of the base are shown the Temptation, with Adam and Eve beneath the tree of knowledge, while on the north side is some ceremony with several figures holding croziers. This is a particularly finely preserved twelfth-century example, that does not use the circle of the Celtic cross.

Celtic Cross Links