I always thought it was a Pagan symbol for the four elements. Some claim that it is Christian (I don't see how since it was used before Christianity came to be). I have also heard that it represnts the Sun and Moon. There are even some people who clame it is a phallic symbol!
Incase you are wondering, a Celtic Cross is a sort of + sign in a circle.
Whatis the real meaning? Are all of these right? Does anyone actually know?
2006-12-03 07:01:55 · 7 answers · asked by Seeker 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The symbol you are referring to is also called a solar cross, sun cross, or wheel cross. It has always been my favorite symbol. The symbol of the wheel has been found in many different cultures with a variety of number of spokes, but four seems to be the most common. In Celtic archeology this symbol is associated with Taranis and is seen by some as a symbol for sky deities or communication.
http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_taranis.htm
http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefssolarcross.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/sun-cross
http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/29/291.html
http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/sun.html
I highly recommend the book "The Gods of the Celts" by Miranda Green. It has a section that discusses this symbol.
2006-12-03 10:32:04 · answer #1 · answered by Witchy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This traces back to Egypt, and Ancient Africa it was called the ankh. The circle is seen as a sign of infinity and fertility, life is continuous. Some people say it separates heaven, earth and the dead. Top, represents heaven, bottom represents death or the dead, and the middle is where we are. It's meant that were all in constent contact. Theirs lots of speculation, no one truly knows. It all depends on how you interpret it. Although it did not come from Christianity, it came out of Ancient Africa. Ironic huh!
2006-12-03 15:12:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
there were several pre-Christian symbols that resembled crosses; the Egyptian ankh, for instance.
I don't know enough about the Celtic Cross' history to add any more.
2006-12-03 15:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first one is, as far as I know, the "right" one--the christians stole the symbol, obviously, since the romans tended to crucify their criminal on an "X" shaped cross instead of a "t"--but christains argue a blue streak on that one so don't get them started
2006-12-03 15:08:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been wondering about this one too.I think it was originally a pagan symbol,but I am not sure.
2006-12-03 15:07:57 · answer #5 · answered by Myaloo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's pre-christian pagan christians "christianized" it.
2006-12-03 15:04:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
http://www.celtarts.com/celtic.htm
http://www.claddaghstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=215
2006-12-03 15:07:35 · answer #7 · answered by Kiara 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋