Thoughts and interpretations of the celtic cross

The Celtic Cross, Solar Cross, Haloed Cross or circled cross has been a subject of interest to many people. Its creation and history is a bit of a mystery, some suggest per-christian origins and being a symbol of life and solar rays with a hint at it representing the four seasons and the cycle of the sun or even Odin's Eye. Others have thought it to be an early form of compos and navigation tool.  Others have highlighted the Christian invention of the Celtic Cross from a story of St Patrick carving a cross over the Circle of a Luna Goddess symbol.

While some are romantic and others are possibly within historic and archeological research, I have been pondering the Celtic Cross for myself and although I have a lot of personal fondness for the romantic per-christian solar origins of the symbol I cant help but keep thinking more about it in a Christian context.


I love Celtic Crosses, the shape and variety of styles and symbolism some even depict stories on them, most are hand carved and very ancient, beautiful pieces of human spiritual invention and creativity. An Icon of devotion! This brings me to my almost epiphany like speculative, but still spiritual, interpretation of the symbol. Could it be possible that these crosses are early representations of the adoration of the Sacrament in Traditional Christian spiritual focus on Christ's sacrifice?

The adoration of the Sacrament is the faithful, devotional and prayerful contemplation of the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
(1 Cor 10:16-17, John 6: 51-56, Luke 22:19-20) A deeply mystic and spiritual remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. Now this is usually the displaying of the Sacrament (communion wafer) as the body of Christ in a monstrance or other type of altar or chapel display and the devote is to pray and in most cases consume Eucharist or the bread and wine of communion while viewing and contemplating the mystery of the sacrifice of Christ as the 'bread of life' and it's meaning to the Christian faithful.   It is my observation that the Celtic Cross could be a representation of this adoration. The circle being the Host or bread wafer and by spiritual extension, the body of Christ crucified on the cross. A simple more graphic form of crucifix or type of possible stone monstrance. Ponder the Celtic cross for your self and see what you think. This is only my own personal interpretation.