Celtic Cross Symbols Information Jewelry Books

The Celtic Cross, with its characteristic
circle, is believed to be a Christian adapt-
ation of the far more ancient Celtic symbol
sometimes known as the Sun Wheel, Solar
Wheel or Sun Disc, representing the Wheel
of Taranis, the Celtic god of thunder
(Fig. 1), who is likened to the Viking god
Thor and the Roman god Jupiter.

What is the Wheel of Taranis, and what did
it symbolise to the early Celts?
In various ancient cultures the wheel is associated with lightning. Some experts suggest that the wheel of Taranis may originate from the ancient Indian belief that the thunderbolt was a disc with a hole in the centre that spun round when thrown, shooting lightning in all directions. In China also lightning was said the proceed from a hole in the centre of a huge disc.
At the same time, the wheel, like the spinning disc of Vishnu, may be associated with to the idea of the universe revolving on its axis.

Both these theories appear equally convincing. Although the exact meaning of the Celtic symbol of the cross remains somewhat of a mystery, however, its central importance in the culture and religion of the early Celts is clear.

The representation of the sun as a simple circle enclosing a four-armed cross (symbolising the shadows cast by the rising and setting sun at the summer and winter solstices) or a six-armed cross (which includes also the shadows of the equinox) dates as far back as 5000 years BCE.n

Six-armed cross

Four-armed cross

Image of Taranis, holding his wheel and club/spear, carved on a shrine stone in Austria.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

A very different but equally interesting theory was presented in 1997 by Crichton E. M. Miller - inventor, researcher, navigator, lecturer and author - who believes his discovery to be the most significant in modern times. Miller has given convincing evidence, in fact, to support his theory that the Celtic Cross was not merely a symbol but actually a working instrument, in which the circle was a moving part, for measuring, surveying and astronomical/astrological purposes.

Brigid's Cross

GOLD NEWGRANGE
CELTIC CROSS

GOLD FILIGREE
CELTIC CROSS

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One of the LEGENDS OF RHIANNON Pendants - see the full collection HERE

TARANIS WHEEL PENDANT

SOLID GOLD
CELTIC CROSS

The Celtic Cross Symbol

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Brigid's Cross is another cross symbol that is believed to have originated as a pagan symbol and later (as the triple goddess Brigid herself, one of the most important of the Celtic deities) adopted and assimilated by the Christian Church.
There are, consequently, two versions - a pagan version and a Christian version - of the origin of this cross, which still has firm roots in the Celtic tradition today.

Brigid, the Irish goddess of the sun and fire, healing and craftsmanship, is celebrated in the festival of Imbolc, held on February 1st or 2nd to mark the coming of Spring. The festival includes the weaving of rushes into crosses, a tradition thought to derive from the pagan cult of the sun wheel (see above).

St. Brigid of Kildare was an Irish nun who founded several convents, and is today one of the three patron saints of Ireland. She shares (not surprisingly) not only her name but also her saint's day with her pagan counterpart. Brigid's cross is today more commonly known as St. Brigid's cross; according to Christian mythology, in fact, St. Brigid wove the cross at the deathbed of a pagan chieftain, who was baptised before his death.

On Brigid's Day, whether the pre-Christian goddess or the saint is being celebrated, Brigid's Crosses are woven and hung on the front door of the house.

BRIGID'S CROSS JEWELRY

The selection below are some examples of the Allcladdagh Brigid's Cross selection in gold and silver.

Tiny Brigid's Cross
14k gold stud earrings.

Large silver Brigid's Cross.

Large gold Brigid's Cross.

Bas-relief of the Celtic triple goddess Brigid.