The Celtic Cross

The Celts were the ancient inhabitants of much of Europe. A spiritual people, their rich mythology and symbology later merged with the Christian beliefs they embraced to create a distinctive art seen especially in Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic Cross is known throughout the world as the emblem of Celtic Christianity and it can be considered the symbol of Celticness itself. Celtic Crosses began to appear during the fifth century AD.  Some say it's shape is derived from a pagan sun symbol, the sunwheel,which later became a symbol of the Christian Godhead.

The sunwheel was originally a cross surrounded by a circle with a center stone representing the sun and "mock suns" at the four quarters. The cross represents eternal life; it's horizontal axis being the earthly world and the vertical axis the heavenly world coming together as the union of heaven and earth.The oldest Celtic crosses were carved into large slabs of rock that lay flat on the ground. Later versions stand in an upright position, with rock carved away from the cross. Tenth-century Irish crosses were sometimes capped with a pitched roof. Celtic crosses were often decorated with interlaced knot work, spirals, key patterns, animal figures, foliage designs, and Biblical stories. Some crosses were memorials, inscribed with names of individuals; modern Celtic crosses are often used as tombstones in Irish churchyards.

 The Irish contribution to the development of Christianity, particularly in the early centuries after the crucifixion, provides a more than adequate basis on which to formulate any movement geared toward underpinning Christian faith in an era where that faith is under severe strain.

In a deeply rich symbolism, essential in the Celtic oral tradition, the fundamental tenets of Christian belief were beautifully rendered as powerful tools for conversion. At its heart was the Celtic Cross, with its distinctive circle adorning the top of the crucifix. Whilst the exact provenance of the meaning of the intertwined cross and circle is unclear it is now generally accepted that it represents a pagan evolution to Christian belief.

Irish Memorial Stones have fused the ancient designs of Celtic Crosses with native Irish stones and marbles to offer a unique and enduring memoriam plaques.