Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
5) Fill in the blanks based on what you listen:
A ______________ through any Irish graveyard soon reveals the importance of the Celtic Cross in Ireland. It’s been a symbol of both culture and faith for more than 1,500 years and probably far longer than that.
It features prominently in illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, on display at Trinity College in Dublin.
The true origins of the Celtic Cross are so unknown but there are many theories. One legend says that it was first formed by St Patrick when he was bringing Christianity to the Druids, the holy and educated class who dominated Celtic society.
It was said that the Druids used to worship a large circular stone. When St Patrick saw the significance of this stone, he drew a large cross through the middle in order to bless it. From this act, the two cultures combined to form the Celtic Cross.
The cross represents Christianity and the circle is the Celtic representation of eternity,
with no beginning and no end.
However, there are many other theories. One suggests that the cross represents the four directions of north, south, east and west, another suggests the four elements; earth, fire, air and water. This would mean that the symbol of the cross predates Christianity, and indeed it does appear in many ancient cultures. Carvings of crosses can even be found in caves dating back to the Stone Age.
Before Christianity, Celtic people across Europe worshiped a number of different gods.
One of these gods was Taranis, God of Thunder, who was often represented holding a thunderbolt in one hand and a wheel in the other.
During the Bronze Age this wheel was often depicted on Celtic coins or worn as jewellery.
It usually had four spokes and was known as the Sun Cross. The two symbols are very similar which suggests the Sun Cross may have evolved into the Celtic Cross over time.
The origins of the Celtic cross may be pagan but it was championed by Christianity in the
form of the High Crosses around the countryside and in the illuminated manuscripts.
It has also been an endless source of inspiration for artists throughout the ages right up to and including the present day.
The majority of people who use the Celtic cross symbol now are Christian but many people
also wear Celtic cross pendants as a symbol of their Irish or Scottish or Welsh heritage.
5) Fill in the blanks based on what you listen:
A ______________ through any Irish graveyard soon reveals the importance of the Celtic Cross in Ireland. It’s been a symbol of both culture and faith for more than 1,500 years and probably far longer than that.
It features prominently in illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, on display at Trinity College in Dublin.
The true origins of the Celtic Cross are so unknown but there are many theories. One legend says that it was first formed by St Patrick when he was bringing Christianity to the Druids, the holy and educated class who dominated Celtic society.
It was said that the Druids used to worship a large circular stone. When St Patrick saw the significance of this stone, he drew a large cross through the middle in order to bless it. From this act, the two cultures combined to form the Celtic Cross.
The cross represents Christianity and the circle is the Celtic representation of eternity,
with no beginning and no end.
However, there are many other theories. One suggests that the cross represents the four directions of north, south, east and west, another suggests the four elements; earth, fire, air and water. This would mean that the symbol of the cross predates Christianity, and indeed it does appear in many ancient cultures. Carvings of crosses can even be found in caves dating back to the Stone Age.
Before Christianity, Celtic people across Europe worshiped a number of different gods.
One of these gods was Taranis, God of Thunder, who was often represented holding a thunderbolt in one hand and a wheel in the other.
During the Bronze Age this wheel was often depicted on Celtic coins or worn as jewellery.
It usually had four spokes and was known as the Sun Cross. The two symbols are very similar which suggests the Sun Cross may have evolved into the Celtic Cross over time.
The origins of the Celtic cross may be pagan but it was championed by Christianity in the
form of the High Crosses around the countryside and in the illuminated manuscripts.
It has also been an endless source of inspiration for artists throughout the ages right up to and including the present day.
The majority of people who use the Celtic cross symbol now are Christian but many people
also wear Celtic cross pendants as a symbol of their Irish or Scottish or Welsh heritage.
