CROS03 - CROSS OF THE WESTERN ISLES

The land of Cornwall in the 7th century was a combination of thick forest and bleak moors and was inhabited by Celts, many having escaped to Cornwall from the invading Saxons.

Christianity had started to filter into the beliefs of the people, and it was those beliefs about which the first Celtic crosses were carved and etched.

As there were few churches in the region, the Celtic crosses were considered sacred places where the people would go to give thanks or perform pagan rituals.

As the centuries progressed and Christianity gained in popularity, more and more churches were built. However, they were still several days walk away for some folk, so the Celtic crosses (now larger and more elaborately carved) would be erected along the tracks leading to the places of worship, and they would face the direction in which the folk would have to travel to get to the church.

In the 10th and 11th centuries, more and more land was needed for housing, roads and agriculture, so a number of the crosses were uprooted. The lucky ones were re-erected in churchyards where they can still be found to this day. The unlucky ones were used as walling material or gateposts.

As the church became a feature of every parish, the need for the Celtic cross became less and less until eventually they stopped carving them in about the 14th century.

Many people believe that the crosses hold mystical energies, and regularly visit a cross to touch and hug it, feeling refreshed and revitalised from its power.

There are many ancient crosses still standing throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, some of which have been in place for well over 1000 years.


This particular cross is from Scotland and is known there as the Cross of the Western Isles. This classis cross is unique for the design of the Egyptian Ankh (Tree of Life) carved into the shaft of the cross. It is believed the Ankh symbol came to Scotland with Irish missionaries. The original cross dates to around the 12th Century and this is an exact reproduction (except in size). Measures approximately 10-inches tall x 3-inches wide x 1 1/2-inches deep.
$48 ITEM # CROS03


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