| The Celtic cross and Celtic Christianity can be a factor of beauty and also a bearer of really several meanings. It resembles a standard Christian cross, with a circle drawn around the joints of the two arms of the cross. It is also typically referred to as the Irish Cross or the Cross of Iona (both an island plus a Gaelic name).
One probable meaning is that the cross is the unity of two sorts of belief systems. The cross symbolizes Christian faith, although the circle symbolizes an ancient pagan moon Goddess. This coincides with the Irish legend of St. Patrick introducing this icon when he converted the pagan men and women of the Emerald Isle. Some also say that the circle actually represents the Sun, a different robust image in the pagan belief system.
A lot of times the cross and circle design is only just component of the picture. Complex designs and carvings are prominent on Celtic crosses. One such widespread motif is of an interweaving thread, basically interviewing figures of eight, which symbolize chaos, death, order and rebirth. As you can see, four once more which is such an significant number with the Celts.
The symbol, in some form or another, genuinely dates back long-long just before Christianity. The reason is, that a Celtic cross has arms facing in four directions. This could mean the four elements, four navigational directions, and so on. The circle is yet yet another ancient symbol, related to perfection, even the ancient Egyptians have utilised it.
Regretfully, in contemporary times this ancient symbol has been abused and used by some radical political parties. Typically they just simplify the cross and circle motif by just drawing a circle with a plus sign inside, extending outward (typically referred to as the sun cross). The link between the symbol and radical factions have turn into so strong that in Italy they've even banned it from becoming publicly shown in stadiums sometimes just Celtic jewellery. |
