Irish Christian Holy Symbol: Celtic Knot

This Irish Christian cross, called a Celtic Cross, combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection.

An Irish legend holds that Saint Patrick introduced the Celtic Christian cross when he was converting the pagan Irish. Some scholars suggest that Patrick combined the symbol of Christianity with the sun cross, to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the idea of the life-giving properties of the sun. Others interpretations claim that placing the cross on top of the circle represents Christ's supremacy over the pagan sun. Interlacing Celtic knots adorn many of these crosses.

The cross is a universal, pre-Christian symbol, but in Christianity it symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The Christian faith is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ. Jesus, (7–2 BC/BCE – 30–36 AD/CE), is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son.

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea. At the age of 30, he began to preach throughout Palestine, which was then under Roman rule. The gospels describe miracles that Jesus performed such as raising the dead.

Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. He was crucified in Jerusalem, on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.


Source:
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Cross, Crucifix." Historical Dictionary of Catholicism. William J. Collinge. 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2012. 116-117. Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 July 2013. http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lapl.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX2780400149&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w "Jesus Christ." Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2010. 297. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 July 2013. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lapl.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX1796500200&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) BRUCE-MITFORD, R. L. S. "Irish Crosses." New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Vol. 7. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 583-584. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 May 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX3407705725&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_cross http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_knot