Early history Celtic cross

early forms: cross slab, st. madoes, perthshire, scotland



early forms: pillar stone, gallarus oratory, county kerry, ireland

ringed crosses similar older continental forms appeared in ireland , scotland in incised stone slab artwork , artifacts ardagh chalice. however, shape achieved greatest popularity use in monumental stone high crosses, distinctive , widespread form of insular art. these monuments, first appeared in 9th century, (though not always) take form of ringed cross on stepped or pyramidal base. form has obvious structural advantages, reducing length of unsupported side arms. there number of theories origin in ireland , britain. scholars consider ring holdover earlier wooden crosses, may have required struts support crossarm. others have seen deriving indigenous bronze age art featuring wheel or disc around head, or coptic crosses based on ankh. however, michael w. herren, shirley ann brown, , others believe originates in earlier ringed crosses in christian art. crosses ring representing celestial sphere developed writings of church fathers. cosmological cross important motif in coelius sedulius s poem carmen paschale, known in ireland 7th century.

it not clear first high crosses originated. first examples date 9th century , occur in 2 groups: @ ahenny in ireland, , @ iona, irish monastery off scottish coast. ahenny group earlier. however, possible st. johns cross @ iona first high cross; iona s influence center of pilgrimage may have led cross inspire ahenny group other ringed crosses in pictish stones.

a variety of crosses bear inscriptions in ogham: medieval irish alphabet. standing crosses in ireland , areas under irish influence tend shorter , more massive anglo-saxon equivalents, have lost headpieces. irish examples head in cross form include cross of kells, ardboe high cross, crosses @ monasterboice, cross of scriptures, clonmacnoise , in scotland @ iona , kildalton cross, may earliest survive in condition. surviving, free-standing crosses located in cornwall, including st piran s cross @ perranporth, , wales. other stone crosses found in former northumbria , scotland, , further south in england, merge similar anglo-saxon cross making tradition, in ruthwell cross example. examples in britain destroyed during protestant reformation. a.d. 1200 initial wave of cross building came end in ireland.

popular legend in ireland says christian cross introduced saint patrick or possibly saint declan, though there no examples period. has been claimed patrick combined symbol of christianity sun cross give pagan followers idea of importance of cross. linking idea of life-giving properties of sun, these 2 ideas linked appeal pagans. other interpretations claim placing cross on top of circle represents christ s supremacy on pagan sun.

notable high crosses celtic shape in ireland


ahenny, county tipperary
ardboe county tyrone
carndonagh, county donegal
drumcliff, county sligo
dysert o dea monastery, county clare
glendalough county wicklow st. kevin s cross
killamery, county kilkenny
fahan, county donegal
monasterboice, county louth
clonmacnoise cross of scriptures, county offaly
clonmacnoise north cross, county offaly
clonmacnoise south cross, county offaly
kells, county meath
moone, county kildare


notable high crosses in scotland


iona abbey crosses
inchbraoch cross
kildalton cross
meigle 1 cross
st. martin s cross @ iona abbey




^ herren, michael w.; brown, shirley ann (2002). christ in celtic christianity: britain , ireland fifth tenth century. boydell press. pp. 193–195. isbn 0851158897. 
^ herren, michael w.; brown, shirley ann (2002). christ in celtic christianity: britain , ireland fifth tenth century. boydell press. p. 199. isbn 0851158897. 
^ werner, p. 98
^ herren, michael w.; brown, shirley ann (2002). christ in celtic christianity: britain , ireland fifth tenth century. boydell press. pp. 199–200. isbn 0851158897. 
^ werner, pp. 99–100.
^ langdon, arthur g. (1896) old cornish crosses. truro: j. pollard