Christian Articles Archive

Origins as a Sun Cross

Scholars speculate that the Celtic Cross developed from the sun cross, solar cross, sun wheel, etc., a pre-Christian symbol found in northwest Europe and Scandanavia — a cross inside a circle, or a four-spoked wheel. When Christianity came to Ireland and Scotland, Christians extended the bottom spoke of this familiar symbol to remind them of the cross on which their new Savior was crucified.

A pre-Christian symbol, the solar cross or sun-cross is found in neolithic rock carvings in France, Scandanavia, etc.

An early sunwheel cross can be found at St. Dogmael's Abbey, Deyfed, west Wales (Pennick, The Celtic Cross, p. 25.).

Christ Pantocrator, dome mosaic (1090-1100 AD) from the Church of Daphne in Athens, shows Christ with sun-cross halo.

Ruthwell Cross (650 to 850 AD). The Cross is seventeen feet four inches tall and must sit in a well four feet deep to serve as the high cross for the church."With the comparable cross at Bewcastle it is undoubtedly the most important sculptural survival from Anglo-Saxon Britain and arguably from early medieval Europe" (Cassidy 3). 

Halwyn wayside cross.

Cornwall Crosses

Wayside crosses are found at stopping places of missionaries, where they preached and prayed. Some of these were later marked as sacred places with crosses. Many ancient cross are found in Cornwall.

• Halwyn wayside cross, Cornwall
• St. Kew Cross, Cornwall. The cross was found in 1924 as part of a footbridge. It is now located in the churchyard at St. Kew church.
• St. Pillack's wheel-headed cross, 9th-10th century AD, in the churchyard. Crude figure on cross.
• St. Dennis churchyard cross, Cornwall.

Isle of Man Crosses

A number of ancient stone crosses and cross slabs have been found on the Isle of Man at Kirk Andreas, Kirk Ballaugh, Kirk Braddan, Kirk Lezayre, Kirk Lonan, Kirk Maughold, Kirk Michael, and Kirch Onchan.

• Gaut's Cross
• Thorlief's Cross
• Sigurd's Cross

Wales

• St. Brynach's Cross, Nevern Dyfed, Wales

Scotland

• St. Martin's High Cross, Iona Close-up. Another.
• St. Martin's Cross, Iona Abbey, eighth century.
• Kildalton Cross, Kilmorie, Knapdale, Strathclyde. Ninth-century.

Irish Stone Crosses

The Monasterboice Tall (or West) Cross is made of sandstone, at 6.45 m. high, it is the tallest High Cross in Ireland. It is dated in the 10th century. This view shows the east side with the Last Judgment. This is the cross used for the Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries logo. More information.

• Monastery Clonmacnois, in central Ireland.
• Muiredach's Cross, Ireland. Another. Several other views. Erected in memory of Muiredach, Abbot of  Monasterboice (d. 922 AD). Muiredach Cross (900-923 AD), east side, Monasterboice, County Louth, 16' high, is considered the finest cross in Ireland. West side.
• Irish Celtic Crosses

• Gallery of Irish Stone Celtic Crosses, Photography by Matt Kelley

• Irish High Crosses
• Clonmacnoise
• Irish High Crosses
• Clint Albertson, SJ, High Crosses of Ancient Ireland. Site rich with pictures.
• Moone High Cross, Co. Kildare
• Glendalough Celtic Cross
• Kilfenora, County Clare, 9th-10th century

England Stone Crosses

• Aspatria Cross, St. Kentigern's Church, Aspatria (Cumbria)
• Viking Cross, wheel-head Gosforth (Cumbria). Tall 4.5 metre cross, 940 AD. Cut down in 1789 to make a sundial base. Now restored.
• Bakewell Cross, Anglian cross, churchyard, Bakewell, Derbyshire

FreeFoto.com stone crosses

Norway Vestvågøy - 16, The Stone Crosses

Urswick (Cumbria)

Cheshire

• Sandbach Crosses
• Neston Crosses
• West Park Crosses, Macclesfield
• Prestbury Saxon Cross
• Saxon cross fragments, St Mary's Sandbach

Megaliths in England

A khatchkar (stone cross) in the churchyard at Hairavank Monastery (western shore of Lake Sevan).

Crosses surrounding the Rock of Cashel

Celtic Cross, unknown location

Celtic Cross

Highgate Celtic Cross

stone carvings at St Berrihert's Kyle

In the graveyard of St. Mary's Church, Whitby, overlooking the bay some 199 steps below, stands a modern cross clearly inspired by the Ruthwell Cross. Photo. Photo.  Caedmon Cross, Whitby. This photo is from the St. Hilda webpage

Agnus, Scotland

Agnus Scotland Stock Photos

Aberlemno church Pictish Cross slab Another. Another. Another.

USA

Peace Cross, St. Albans Preparatory School, Washington DC. Close-up.

Here's an excellent book on stone crosses. Order now.

Collections

The Megalithic Portal, photos and information on many ancient artifacts.

Clint Albertson, SJ, High Crosses of Ancient Ireland. Site rich with pictures.

Links to several celtic crosses.

Chris Tolley, Pre-Norman Stone Crosses and related monuments in the British Isles

References

Sun cross, Wikipedia article.

Nigel Pennick, The Celtic Cross: An Illustrated History and Celebration (London: Blandford, 1997)

A Brief History of the Celtic Cross in Cornwall, by Alex Everitt

Christian Art and Paintings: Abraham Art | Agnus Dei Art | Angel Art | Annunciation Art | Celtic Stone Cross Art | Christian Symbols and Art | Christmas Art | David |  Easter Art | Elijah | Passion of Christ by Tissot | Gideon | Hebrew-Jewish Art | Holy Week Art | Jacob | Jesus' Ministry Art | Jesus' Teaching Art | Jesus Portraits and Art | John the Baptist | John the Apostle | Lamb of God Art | Last Supper Art | Madonna & Child Art | Moses and the Exodus | Names of God Art | OT Misc Art | Psalms Art | Palm Sunday Art | Paul Art and Paintings | Day of Pentecost Art | Peter Art and Paintings | Prayer Art | Resurrection Art | Revelation Art | Solomon |Thanksgiving and Pilgrims Art | Timothy Art and Paintings
Copyright of artwork. Much, but not all, of the artwork linked to on this site is in the public domain worldwide due to the date of death of its author (if it is was published outside of the U.S. and the author has been dead for over 70 years), or due to its date of publication (if it was first made public in the U.S. before 1923), at least in the United States (see Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.), in Germany, and in many other countries.

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

To be notified about future articles, stories, and Bible studies, why don't you subscribe to our free newsletter,The Joyful Heart, by placing your e-mail address in the box below. We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.

First	Last
E-mail
Country	(2-letter abbreviation, such as US)
Preferred Format	HTML (recommended) Plain text

You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Old Testament

1. Abraham, Faith of
2. Jacob, Life of
3. Moses the Reluctant Leader
4. Joshua
5. Gideon
6. David, Life of
7. Elijah
8. Psalms
9. Solomon
10. Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134)
11. Isaiah
12. 28 Advent Scriptures (Messianic)
13. Daniel
14. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books

Gospels

15. Christmas Incarnation (Mt, Lk)
16. Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7)
17. Luke's Gospel
18. John's Gospel
19. Seven Last Words of Christ
20. Parables
21. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
22. Resurrection and Easter Faith

Acts

23. Early Church (Acts 1-12)
24. Apostle Paul (Acts 11-28)

Pauline Epistles

25. Romans 5-8 (Christ-Powered Life)
26. 1 Corinthians
27. 2 Corinthians
28. Galatians
29. Ephesians
30. Philippians
31. Colossians, Philemon
32. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
33. 1 &2 Timothy, Titus

General Epistles

34. Hebrews
35. James
36. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
37. 1, 2, and 3 John

Revelation

38. Revelation
39. Conquering Lamb of Revelation

Topical

40. Glorious Kingdom, The
41. Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
42. Great Prayers of the Bible
43. Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
44. Humility
45. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
46. Lamb of God
47. Listening for God's Voice
48. Lord's Supper: Disciple's Guide
49. Names and Titles of God
50. Names and Titles of Jesus

My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.