Celtic Cross Jewelry
Craftsmen of Excellence As far back as 2000BC silver and gold were used by Celtic craftsmen to make ornate pieces of jewelry, and this continued right up until 550AD.
They used it to make outstandingly beautiful pieces of jewelry whose subjects were Celtic symbols, such as the cross.
Craftsmen and women continue this tradition today.
Celtic jewelry for men or women is prized by both and often becomes a treasured and coveted possession because of their uniqueness and because of the symbolism attached.
The work created by these craftsmen can only be rivaled by the work of the ancient Egyptians.
Celtic craftsmen adapted their designs by ideas they got from what was around them in nature, animals and spirals for instance.
It was only later that they began crafting the Celtic cross.
They worked in bronze as well as silver or gold and their workmanship was sophisticated, even by today's standards.
Craftsmen traded their wares right across the Mediterranean and were well received because of the beauty, uniqueness and elegance of their designs.
Irish monks later created beautiful artefacts and today they are regarded as some of the world's finest craftsman and their work can be found displayed in the Irish National Museum.
Symbolism The Celtic cross symbolizes eternity and the endlessness of God's love toward us.
The circle of the cross symbolizes God's love shown to us through the Crucifixion.
As far back as the fourth century, the cross became the symbol representing Christianity.
The cross was used during the Middle Ages where one was raised on a spot where violence had been committed.
Today it is commonly used as a gravestone.
The Celtic cross layout consists of a cross in the center of a ring.
The cross has four sections which are said to represent the four provinces of Ireland.
It is not clear, even today, whether the cross supports the circle or if the circle supports the cross.
The four sections of the arm of the cross are equidistant from the center and are meant to indicate our desire to understand and experience life's unfolding mysteries which are the 'four ways to ascension', these being self, nature, wisdom and the gods and goddesses.
Celtic cross design represents the meeting of the divine and at the center is said to be the symbol of the concentration of cosmic power.
The circle around these four arms represents the unification of the 'four ways to ascension' and the center of the cross is the focal point which is believed to be our spiritual destination.
If we mediate and hone in on this spot our energies can centralize; we feel an exhilarating experience of wholeness, unity and oneness with the cosmos.
Navigation The Celtic cross can also represent navigation.
It is a symbolic compass that can guide us through the spiritual seas of life while remaining a stable guiding post which leads us ever to our 'true north'.
It can navigate us spiritually.
When we affirm the symbolic meanings of the cross, we center our thoughts and focus in the right direction.
Season Transitions It also deals with the transitions of the seasons and marks the four Celtic fire festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltain and Lughnasadh.
These were important events because they defined distinct time delineations that provided stability in an uncertain world.
Each festival had its own specific activities related to the time of the year in which it was held.
The Celtic cross acted as a reminder of how transitory our lives were, and called us to enjoy the different tastes of the crops yielded by the earth during each season.
Night and Day The cross also delineates between night and day.
The top of the horizontal bar symbolizes sunrise, and the bottom symbolized sunset which was particularly relevant when there was a circle around the cross.
This gave a sense of the earth, as the orb, and the sun rising in the top quadrant and setting in the bottom quadrant.
Today most Celtic crosses are made for personal use.
They are contemporary and remain popular.
Since it has so much symbolic meaning, it is no wonder that Celtic cross tattoos are so popular.
Versions of the Celtic cross are evident on the Irish National football team and infamously it was adopted by the neo Nazi party.
They used it to make outstandingly beautiful pieces of jewelry whose subjects were Celtic symbols, such as the cross.
Craftsmen and women continue this tradition today.
Celtic jewelry for men or women is prized by both and often becomes a treasured and coveted possession because of their uniqueness and because of the symbolism attached.
The work created by these craftsmen can only be rivaled by the work of the ancient Egyptians.
Celtic craftsmen adapted their designs by ideas they got from what was around them in nature, animals and spirals for instance.
It was only later that they began crafting the Celtic cross.
They worked in bronze as well as silver or gold and their workmanship was sophisticated, even by today's standards.
Craftsmen traded their wares right across the Mediterranean and were well received because of the beauty, uniqueness and elegance of their designs.
Irish monks later created beautiful artefacts and today they are regarded as some of the world's finest craftsman and their work can be found displayed in the Irish National Museum.
Symbolism The Celtic cross symbolizes eternity and the endlessness of God's love toward us.
The circle of the cross symbolizes God's love shown to us through the Crucifixion.
As far back as the fourth century, the cross became the symbol representing Christianity.
The cross was used during the Middle Ages where one was raised on a spot where violence had been committed.
Today it is commonly used as a gravestone.
The Celtic cross layout consists of a cross in the center of a ring.
The cross has four sections which are said to represent the four provinces of Ireland.
It is not clear, even today, whether the cross supports the circle or if the circle supports the cross.
The four sections of the arm of the cross are equidistant from the center and are meant to indicate our desire to understand and experience life's unfolding mysteries which are the 'four ways to ascension', these being self, nature, wisdom and the gods and goddesses.
Celtic cross design represents the meeting of the divine and at the center is said to be the symbol of the concentration of cosmic power.
The circle around these four arms represents the unification of the 'four ways to ascension' and the center of the cross is the focal point which is believed to be our spiritual destination.
If we mediate and hone in on this spot our energies can centralize; we feel an exhilarating experience of wholeness, unity and oneness with the cosmos.
Navigation The Celtic cross can also represent navigation.
It is a symbolic compass that can guide us through the spiritual seas of life while remaining a stable guiding post which leads us ever to our 'true north'.
It can navigate us spiritually.
When we affirm the symbolic meanings of the cross, we center our thoughts and focus in the right direction.
Season Transitions It also deals with the transitions of the seasons and marks the four Celtic fire festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltain and Lughnasadh.
These were important events because they defined distinct time delineations that provided stability in an uncertain world.
Each festival had its own specific activities related to the time of the year in which it was held.
The Celtic cross acted as a reminder of how transitory our lives were, and called us to enjoy the different tastes of the crops yielded by the earth during each season.
Night and Day The cross also delineates between night and day.
The top of the horizontal bar symbolizes sunrise, and the bottom symbolized sunset which was particularly relevant when there was a circle around the cross.
This gave a sense of the earth, as the orb, and the sun rising in the top quadrant and setting in the bottom quadrant.
Today most Celtic crosses are made for personal use.
They are contemporary and remain popular.
Since it has so much symbolic meaning, it is no wonder that Celtic cross tattoos are so popular.
Versions of the Celtic cross are evident on the Irish National football team and infamously it was adopted by the neo Nazi party.