The Celtic Cross —by Míchealín Daugherty In general, the cross is one of the oldest symbols in religious mythology. According to Dunwich (see sources below), there are nearly 400 versions of the cross as a mystical symbol worldwide. The Celtic Cross, which pre-dates Christianity, is both a religious symbol and a magickal tool; it did not become a Christian symbol until about the fifth century.  The Celtic Cross is sometimes associated with the Sun and sometimes associated with the Tree of Life or life's renewal in general. At present, the oldest example of the Celtic cross is believed to dated approximately 10,000 BCE.  It is natural to think that the Celtic Cross would be representative of the sun as the sun was considered by the Celts to be the divine center of the cosmos. Many stone monuments, such as, Newgrange, and stone temples, such as, Stonehenge, symbolise the strong reverence for the Sun. Thus, the sign of the sun was a circle with a center representing an everlasting light, or spiritual enlightenment.  The wheel crosses have round heads of large diameter and short shafts; and it is the center of the cross where all forces are thought to meet for continuity. This central spiritual force is often represented by a triskele motif or a spiral-like sun motif; the motif may also be found engraved on the shafts. See also: The Wheel of Being. The Celtic Cross is essentially a life-giving symbol. In addition to representing the sun or the tree of life, it also is thought to symbolise fertility, with the standing pillar as representing male regeneration and the circle representing female regeneration.  Like most crosses in other mythologies, the Celtic Cross is now worn often in jewelry as an amulet to protect the wearer from dark forces of evil, bad luck or jinxes. For example, crosses are worn by Voodoo and Hoodoo practitioners as protective amulets, by spiritual healers and Tarot readers to dispel negative influences, and by Celts and Wiccans in place of the Christian cross and to dispel negative energies or bad karma.  One source (Dunwich), recommends that, for best results, a cross worn as jewelry be made of gold and anointed once per day with holy water or myrrh oil. Today, especially in some parts of Ireland, it is not unusual to find Celtic Crosses flanked by Christian symbology (i.e., engravings on the shaft) in place of Celtic symbols, such as, the 10th century-crosses of Monasterboice, or with a mix of Celtic and Christian symbols. Sources:  Dunwich, G. Wicca A to Z: A Complete Guide to the Magickal World. Citadel Press: 1997. Fontana, D. The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings. Chrysalis Books: 1993. Pennick, N. The Sacred World of the Celts: An Illustrated Guide to Celtic Spirituality and Mythology. Inner Traditions International: 1997. Personal knowledge/traditions.  Page updated 2 Dec. 2006 Celtic Background and photograph, and Ireland's OWN logo, by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2006 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.