The Celtic Cross in Jewellery

The Celtic cross has been a part of the Celtic culture even before the introduction of the Christian Cross. It was only later that the two crosses were combined resulting in a Christian cross with a Circle incorporated into the design. Most Celtic cross sports a beautiful Celtic knot work that symbolizes continuity and infinity. Today, most jewelers churn out Celtic crosses to be the focal point of their artwork. A jewellery piece becomes more complete and attractive when embellished with a Celtic crossPre-ChristianityCeltic crosses were present long before Christianity reached the Celtic lands. It was an even sided cross with a circle encompassing the middle part. It is said that the pagan Celtic cross was set to symbolize the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. It is also related to the four directions of a compass (four corners of the earth back then) North, South, East and West. Celtic crosses are one of the most long standing forms of Celtic art that has reached the modern day. It was incorporated into sculptures and monuments as well as in house doors and other forms of wood or metal work.Christian Celtic CrossIt has been said that Ireland’s St. Patrick can be commended for creating the first Christian Celtic Cross. A story goes that the saint drew a Christian cross on paper and incorporated the circle in the center of it – thus was born the modern Celtic cross. It is a legend in Ireland that St. Patrick made it in order to help convert the community people to Christianity.In Ireland, and in other parts of the UK as well as the rest of the world, Celtic crosses can be found in churches or as grave stones and grave markers. The oldest ones are usually the traditional cross with even arms placed on a pedestal to make the lower arm seem longer. The Christian Celtic cross also has its own serving of the beautiful knot work. The cross is cast in metals and mainly used in religious ceremony.Celtic Cross JewelleryThe Celtic cross is a very popular symbol in the jewellery. The most common uses of the Celtic cross when it comes to jewellery are in pendants, rings and earrings. Cufflinks have also been made in the shape of the Celtic crosses and is a great gift idea. Rare finds also include jewellery boxes made in the shape of Celtic crosses and adorned with Celtic knot work.Some jewelers stick to the traditional shapes with the circle emphasized and with the Celtic knot work present. Now, there are a lot of innovative shapes to the Celtic cross, some of them are solely made out of Celtic knot work with the circle de-emphasized while some have incorporated jewellery and stones to represent the circle in the cross. Even the traditional form of the cross with the even arms can be found fully encompassed in the circle. No matter how the Celtic cross is used in Jewellery it is still a very popular design inspiration.

Adrianne Palicki, Adriana Lima, Ashley Tappin

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