Celtic Cross Pendant

The Celtic cross is a form of Christian cross featuring a nimbus or ring that emerged in Ireland, France and Britain in the Early Middle Ages. A type of ringed cross, it became widespread through its use in the stone high crosses erected across the islands, especially in regions evangelized by Irish missionaries, from the 9th through the 12th centuries.

A staple of Insular art, the Celtic cross is essentially a Latin cross with a nimbus surrounding the intersection of the arms and stem. Scholars have debated its exact origins, but it is related to earlier crosses featuring rings. The form gained new popularity during the Celtic Revival of the 19th century; the name “Celtic cross” is a convention dating from that time. The shape, usually decorated with interlace and other motifs from Insular art, became popular for funerary monuments and other uses, and has remained so, spreading well beyond Ireland.

Popular legend in Ireland says that the Christian cross was introduced by Saint Patrick or possibly Saint Declan, though there are no examples from this early period. It has often been claimed that Patrick combined the symbol of Christianity with the sun cross to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross. By linking it with the idea of the life-giving properties of the sun, these two ideas were linked to appeal to pagans. Other interpretations claim that placing the cross on top of the circle represents Christ’s supremacy over the pagan sun.

Saint Patrick

“Saint Patrick, a Catholic missionary, is considered responsible for bringing the Christian faith to Ireland. If Saint Patrick comes to your awareness, let it be a reminder of the power of prayer and that it is time to pray.

One year, during the 40 days of Lent, it is said that demons, in the form of blackbirds, besieged, beleaguered, and overwhelmed Saint Patrick to the point that he perceived that the sky turned black. As he prayed and decreed his faith, an angel told him his prayers were heard and granted.

Call on Saint Patrick to add energy for fire ceremonies. Stories say that Saint Patrick lit an Easter Fire, which was perceived as the first of the Beltane Fires before High King Laoghaire lit his fire. The tradition called for all the other land fires to be started from the fire of the High King. Druid elders went off to put out Saint Patrick’s fire but were unsuccessful. It was considered that the saint’s ‘magic’ was stronger than the High King’s.

Throughout about twenty years in Ireland, Saint Patrick encountered discord with local chieftains or the Celtic priests, Druids. He was imprisoned and found freedom by giving gifts his captors.

The legend of Saint Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland was unlikely to be meant literally. Scientists say that Ireland was never a home to snakes. On a metaphorical level, this legend references Saint Patrick successfully overcoming the pagan influence of the Druidic tradition from Ireland. The snake was sacred to the Druids. Pagan festivals and holidays were adapted into Christian holy days.”

-excerpted from The Essential Guide to Archangels and Saints by Margaret Ann Lembo