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Post by LLady on Aug 3, 2005 22:14:14 GMT 10
One of the symbols closely identified with Scottish culture is the Celtic Cross. For centuries, they have been the most widely recognizrd symbol of Celtic Christianity that developed in the British Isles after the Romans left.
You'll find this unique design pattern throughout Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, inscribed on stone slabs and in free-standing stone crosses used as boundary markers for monasteries and churches or as devotional aids at the intersections of roads.
The basic pattern is that of a Latin cross with a circle or disk centered upon the transepts of the cross. The cross points to Christ's death, a sign, for all Christians, of Christ's sacrificial, atoning death, and the profound extent of God's love.
However many Celtic Crosses are bare, that is, they are not crucixes. Rather the focus of the Celtic Cross s the Resurrection. By having an empty cross, the emphasis is placed on Christ victorious, risen from the dead and available to us in the present day worls. The circle around the transept of the cross is the symbol of eternity-and a way to express the belief that what happened upon the Cross of Christ was of eternal significance.
Some of the finest surviving Scottish examples of these old Celtic Crosses may be found on th Isle of Iona, where St. Columb founded his Abbey in563 AD. There you will find St. Martin's, St. Matthew's and St. John's crosses.
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Post by LLady on Aug 3, 2005 22:16:15 GMT 10
Celtic Cross an Older View The Celts were the ancient inhabitants of much of Europe. A spiritual people, their rich mythology and symbology later merged with the Christian beliefs they embraced to create a distinctive art seen especially in Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic Cross is known throughout the world as the emblem of Celtic Christianity and it can be considered the symbol of Celticness itself. Celtic Crosses began to appear during the fifth century A.D., it's shape is derived from a pagan sun symbol, the sunwheel, which later became a symbol of the Christian Godhead. The sunwheel was originally a cross surrounded by a circle with a center stone representing the sun and "mock suns" at the four quarters. The stone at the center of the circle also represents the navel of the world. The stone pillar of the cross also embodies phallic and fertility characteristics. The cross represents eternal life; it's horizontal axis being the earthly world and the vertical axis the heavenly world coming together as the union of Heaven and Earth. Celtic Crosses are imbued with continuous and interwoven knot and spiral motifs symbolizing the continuity of life, death and rebirth. Celtic Crosses often have images of the Christian cruxifiction, patriarchs and saints.
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Post by LLady on Aug 3, 2005 22:24:41 GMT 10
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Elly
Administrator
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Post by Elly on Aug 4, 2005 19:41:21 GMT 10
wonderful Llady, what a lovely pic that last one is too. quite stunning.
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Post by LLady on Aug 5, 2005 18:22:15 GMT 10
Thanks Elly!
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Post by desertrose on Jun 3, 2006 9:45:31 GMT 10
I wear a Celtic cross from time to time. I say that cause I have so much jewelry and always want more. I do love the Celtic cross though.
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Elly
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Post by Elly on Jun 3, 2006 11:47:21 GMT 10
I have one that I wear all the time, quite obsessive about it, a few months ago the chain snapped and I was in quite a panic till I got it back safely on my neck, felt doom and gloom would follow if it wasn't there #happy#
I have a statue of one that I bought in Iona, its really a lovely piece made from the stone found on the beach there, not sure what it is, sort of a green marble like rock.
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Post by desertrose on Jun 3, 2006 11:59:40 GMT 10
Oh my, Elly! You bought one from Iona? How I would so love to buy one from there! I just hope to visit there one day!
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Elly
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Post by Elly on Jun 3, 2006 12:11:16 GMT 10
Oh my, Elly! You bought one from Iona? How I would so love to buy one from there! I just hope to visit there one day! I hope you get to be there one day, its a wonderful wee island, not to be missed, you will love it
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Post by desertrose on Jun 3, 2006 12:20:01 GMT 10
Oh my, Elly! You bought one from Iona? How I would so love to buy one from there! I just hope to visit there one day! I hope you get to be there one day, its a wonderful wee island, not to be missed, you will love it That's what I hear! I embarressed to tell you how many Celtic crosses I have....EEP! I just love them!
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Elly
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Post by Elly on Jun 3, 2006 20:47:07 GMT 10
I love them too Rosemary, they are very special to me. Have you ever had a look at this site www.crichtonmiller.com/ really an interesting theory this bloke has, haven't read it all as yet but you might like it.
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Post by desertrose on Jun 3, 2006 21:09:05 GMT 10
Wow! Elly that was a very interesting article. I just read it. I love celtic crosses. I also love luckenbooth necklaces. Do you have one of those?
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