Others simply see it as a holdover from its pagan roots as a sun symbol. Others say it represents the halo of Jesus Christ. Some say the circle stands for the Roman sun-god Invictus, thus giving the name of Celtic Sun Cross. You can see a more detailed explanation of his findings in the March 2012 issue of Celtic Guide. The current form of Presbyterian cross is also a Celtic Cross, with flared ends of each of the arms.Īuthor and navigator Crichton Miller has demonstrated that the shape could have been used as a navigational device and architectural aid by ancient explorers and builders. It had the cruciform within a circle, a longer lower arm, and then a cross under the circle, similar to an ankh. I found it interesting that the early Gnostic Christians in Egypt also used a similar form for their Coptic Cross. The sun wheel has also been called Odin’s Cross, a symbol in Norse Mythology. Even the Native Americans used this as a symbol for their Medicine Wheel. Of course, obvious relations such as east, north, south and west or earth, air, water and fire can also be derived from the shape. Another possibility includes the meeting places of the divine energy, of self, nature, wisdom and divinity. One such meaning is that of the stages of the day: morning, noon, evening, midnight. The even-armed cross within a circle has been ascribed many meanings by many groups and cultures. St Patrick is said to have taken this ancient sun symbol and extended one of the lengths to form a melding of the Christian Cross and the sun symbol, and thus the birth of the Celtic Cross. This is believed to be a sun symbol to the creators of the stone circle, which became a sacred shape to the Celts. The stone circle at Calanais, on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, is formed in a rough circle, with an even-armed cross within it. While the Celtic Cross is certainly a Christian symbol, it has its roots in ancient pagan beliefs at the same time. Isle of Lewis, Scotland – by Andrew Bennett via Flickr Creative Commons – Ancient Roots Calanais/Callanish Stone Circle. Other theories site construction strength to the design – the circle strengthened the cross beams, preventing breakage or destruction by the elements or time. Patrick introduced the Celtic Cross in Ireland, during his conversion of the kings from paganism to Christianity. Few symbols are as recognizable as the Celtic Cross as the embodiment of Celtic Christianity. Celtic Crosses dot hundreds of cemeteries across Ireland and Scotland, as well as Wales, England, Europe, and beyond.