Celtic High Cross

One of the things Ireland and the Irish are noted for is the Celtic High Cross. We've all seen pics of them. But, just in case you need reminding....

and a more ornate and lavish representation:

A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection and has been attributed to St. Patrick marrying the Christian/Catholic cross with the pagan/Druid symbol of the sun. Others state it has pre-Christian origins and are called sun crosses. Both of the pictures above I took at Glendalough or Gleann Dá Locha (which is the Irish for the Glen of two lakes) on our trip. They are spectacular in person. So...majestic. On the first one you can see the outline of a stem of a vine just where the branch covers the stone. See it? Must have been covered at one point in the vine or plant in order for it to 'engrave' itself on the stone. There were no legible words on that stone and I can't find my travel journal to tell you what the second one said. Nonetheless, these were beautiful. They are part of St. Kevin's monastery chapel graveyard. They had signs up prohibiting etchings as too destructive. You've heard of "etchings", yes?
Believe it or not...there are some writings that link the high cross with political connotations. Hmmm, imagine that. The one I found is called the "third position". The name applied to a strand within the far right that sought to emphasise its opposition to both communism and capitalism. The name 'Third Position' is derived from the school of thought presenting itself as being "beyond Capitalism and Communism" and "neither Left nor Right." The movement uses the Celtic cross as its symbol. I guess..."nothing is sacred".
When I die, there will be no marker on the earth. No place for anyone to go sit and pull the weeds around or leave a stone or wilting flowers...or worse yet, plastic ones. I'll be cremated. It's what is best. I'll leave no one behind that would sorrow of my loss. So... what's the point? There isn't one...just wanted to see all the posh things in the building and be on me way.

♥Pam


(Post Note: I wrote the above post the other night....after having taken my Nyquill-like substance for the gawdawful allergy that is currently rendering me a snotty, sniffelly, sneezing monster....and when reviewing it this morning....I have no idea what the last line means. I just remember struggling to keep my eyes open as I was typing. Wonder who I was channeling?)