| |
 |
The celtic cross then underwent another change. Extraneous rock was carved away
from the head of the slab, leaving the rock with the outlined shape of a
tall cross, usually on a wider base. Because the cross form was in
effect "freed" from the rock now, these types of crosses were commonly
called erect free-standing crosses. From these, the arms of the cross
eventually became extended beyond the ring of the cross, and the inner
quadrants between the rings and the arms were cut away or recessed from
the rest of the cross design. The free-standing crosses were elaborately
made, and often composed of several pieces of stone. A large cross could
have been made of up to four pieces of stone (the base, the shaft, the
head, and the upper cross arm), held together by mortise and tenon
joints carved into the stone.
 
An Irish legend tells
how St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over
a Latin cross to incorporate a pagan moon goddess symbol. For an Irish
Catholic, the circle in the Celtic cross may be a symbol of eternity and
the endlessness of God's love. It can even represent a halo emanating
from Christ.
The celtic cross and Irish cross
shape itself has been widely used by many ancient peoples,
long before the arrival of Christianity. Its four arms were perfect for
denoting the four elements, the four directions of the compass, and the
four parts of man - mind, body, soul and heart. The addition of the ring
around the cross has had many explanations, everything from sun worship
and symbolism, to creating a shape with the cross that was well
contained and aesthetically pleasing.
|
