Who can wear a Celtic Cross?

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In that spirit, here is more about Celtic crosses and how to wear them.

You probably have friends who have ornate Celtic crosses hanging around their necks. You want one too, but you are unsure if it is okay. You know that people with tiny gold crosses hanging around their necks are Catholic or at least Christian and that the jewelry represents the crucifix on which their savior sacrificed himself. You may have wondered if a person must be affiliated with a particular religion to wear a Celtic Cross.

Unless you live in a country where they tell people what to wear, you can wear a  Celtic Cross. You can visit this store to purchase one. You may be afraid of offending people as you might if you strutted around in a Star of David if you are not Jewish or a crescent and star if you are not Muslim.

Fortunately, Celtic crosses are perfectly socially acceptable for anyone to wear. They feature beautiful intrinsic designs and look great with formal wear or office attire. Because they are affiliated with Christianity, they have a long history that far precedes the Christian religion. There are many theories about celtic crosses, and their spiritual meaning is open to interpretation.

If you are trying to decide if it would be great for you or a good gift for someone you care for, there are a few things that you should know about this storied trinket.

The origin of the Celtic Cross?

The Celts were tribes of people who began living in Europe around 10,000 BC. Although once thought of as barbarians, they created some of the most significant artwork of their time. They lived during the iron age and created works of art from iron. Their artwork often featured images of warriors, gods, and animals. It had photos of distinctive spirals as well. 

The sun was crucial to the Celtics, and a circle representing the sun was an image often found in their artwork. They didn’t have clocks or electricity back in those days, so people relied on the sun upon everything. 

Celtic knots were also often seen in their artwork. There are several different types of Celtic knots. The roots of an oak tree inspired a Dara Celtic Knot. The Triskelion knot symbolizes that all-important things come in threes. A Trinity Knot represents something with no beginning or end. It symbolizes eternal life and unity between people and can tell family, romantic love, or religion.

First sighting of the large stone was in the 8th century in Ireland and Scotland. The crosses were tall and typically placed in front of monasteries—the more elaborate the cross, the wealthier the monastery.

These Celtic crosses were unique because they have both Christian and Celtic artwork. They have a circle in the center, and early Celtic crosses had Celtic artwork on each arm of the cross, such as spirals and other geometric designs. The center often featured a crucified man. 

Crosses created later in history were designed with Christian images on them. However, they did retain the circle in the center. 

Different Theories About the Cross

There are several different theories as to how the Celtic cross came about. Some people believe that the Celtics invented the cross long before the Christians came along. They think the four points of the cross represented earth, fire, wind, and air, and the shape of the cross was likely to have represented a tree rather than a crucifix.

Some believe Saint Patrick wanted to convert pagans to Christianity around 400 B.C. He retained the sun image in the middle of the cross to appeal to them. By linking the symbol of Christianity to something the pagans accepted, it is thought that he hoped to win them over.

This seems rather unlikely given how Saint Patrick treated the tribe of Celtic people in Ireland. He was said to have viciously attacked Celtic Druids and their various statues. He eventually banned Druids from Ireland to secure that Christianity would be the major religion in the Emerald Isle. Diplomacy was not his strong suit. 

Other historians believe the cross was strategically placed above the sun symbol to represent the Christian triumph over the pagans. 

What does the ring mean?

Although it is pretty commonly accepted that the circle in the center represents the sun. It might have had a different meaning at one time. It may be a tribute to Helios, the Roman sun god. Some Christians believe that the ring represents the halo of Jesus.

There is a practical purpose for the circle as well. It makes for a robust center on a high cross or even a piece of jewelry. The process connects the arms and reinforces the structure making it less likely to be damaged. 

When did people start wearing Celtic crosses as jewelry?

People started wearing Celtic crosses as jewelry around the middle of the 18th century, and they quickly became popular. People began traveling all around Europe by trains, and when people visited Scotland or Ireland, they wanted something to bring back to their relatives at home. Celtic jewelry became quite a popular thing to buy as a souvenir.

What if I prefer traditional Celtic images?

Christian imagery for many years. However, the jewelry has returned to its pagan roots. If you look in an average jewelry store or if you go online to search for your new cross, you will find that many pieces have images depicting scenes from nature.

You can get a custom-made cross with any images you might desire. You will still be able to find crosses with traditional Christian photos if you want them, but the cross offers so many other options for expressing yourself.

What kind of metal looks best on a Celtic Cross?

You can get a Celtic cross in many different kinds of metal. Stainless steel is the most economical option, and gold would be the very pinnacle. Silver is famous for Celtic crosses because it looks good with anything. Although gold Celtic crosses are beautiful, there are times when they can be a bit of an overstatement.  

If you don’t care to wear jewelry, you can keep a Celtic cross in your pocket as a critical chain. You will find many beautiful crosses in crucial chain form. They are less expensive than necklaces, and you can use them daily.

Celtic crosses come with 3D images or images subtly carved into the metal. You can even get your name in the center of a cross or the name of a loved one.

There are so many different beautiful crosses out there that once you start shopping, you will probably want more than one. It is a piece of jewelry that never goes out of style.