The Celtic Cross is a symbol repeatedly used in Scottish Celtic Jewelry sold as Irish and Scottish Gifts through many high street stores, online, and tourist retail outlets. In fact some jewelry manufacturers rely on Celtic symbols for their jewelry range. Influences of Celtic art can be found in many jewelry pieces in varying degrees. Some jewelry is a copy of ancient examples of Celtic symbolism whilst other pieces have been heavily influenced. The Celtic influence can be seen in the work of Glasgow born designer Archibald Knox. His designs were synonymous with British Art Nouveau.

Without doubt the Celtic Cross holds wide appeal. But what exactly is its meaning and where did it come from?

Compared to today information sources of ancient times are limited and in places sketchy or virtually non existent. For example little is known of the ancient Picts of Scotland as they had no form of written record.

Research the origins of the Celtic Cross and you will find many explanations. Some believe the ancient Druids carved the original Celtic Cross from standing stones in order to disguise there original purpose. The most popular theory originates from the 7th Century. Monks placed upright crosses in Ireland and later in Great Britain. Today examples can be found in Ireland, Cornwall, Wales, and in Scotland most notably the Island of Iona and the Hebrides.

The Celtic Cross is easily recognised as it combines a plain Christian cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. It is widely believed that it was originally introduced in Ireland using a combination of the Christian Cross and Pagan Sun Cross. This combination was used to persuade the pagans of the time to adopt Christianity. The Pagan Sun Cross is simply a circle with a ‘+’ or cross in the middle. i.e a Celtic Cross without the extensions running outside the enclosing circle. The Sun Cross can be found in many prehistoric artefacts. It dates back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age and represents the Sun and the Tree of Life.

The Celtic Cross was used extensively until the 16th Century. In the mid 19th Century it underwent a revival in Ireland where it was used as a cemetery monument. Many examples can be found today.

Today the Celtic cross has many meanings religious, cultural identity or used simply as a decoration. Its influences can still be seen in the many jewelry designs today. Its is widely sold in various forms in many retail outlets and tourist shops. It can also be found on t-shirts, tattoos, emblems and logos and so the list goes on.

In Scotland noted designers Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie used Celtic artwork in their jewelry. They opened a shop on Iona in 1899. Their work was inspired by the patterns found on the Celtic crosses of Iona. They sold a huge range of jewelry using varied materials including enamel wood, leather, and linen. The book Iona Celtic Art by E. Mairi MacArthur provides an account of their work.

This article has given a brief introduction to a symbol with origins in ancient times and with origins open to some dispute. But the next time you purchase some Celtic jewelry or see a Celtic cross in a town or village square or in an Irish cemetery you will have some idea of its origins. With additional research you be able to identify the different variants and influences by various cultures.

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