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A cross with a ring encircling the intersection of its arms.
Also known as: Irish cross, High cross, Ringed cross, Cross with a circle on a grave
A cross whose arms pass through a stone ring. Genuinely early medieval in Ireland and Britain, and genuinely revived in the nineteenth century — which means most Celtic crosses in cemeteries are Victorian rather than ancient, and the difference is usually visible.
Revived on a large scale in the nineteenth century as a monument and grave-marker form, particularly in Ireland, Scotland and their diasporas, where it also served as an assertion of national and cultural identity.
From the mid-19th century
Most ringed crosses standing in cemeteries are of that Victorian revival rather than medieval. The distinction is usually visible: early high crosses are massive, carved with figural panels and interlace, and stand free of a grave.
The ring is variously explained as a halo, as the sun, or as a structural device supporting the arms of a tall stone cross. The structural explanation is the best supported; the solar reading in particular is a modern claim without early evidence.
The 'pagan sun symbol Christianised' account is widely repeated and not supported by early sources. The structural explanation has the better evidence.
A cross whose four arms pass through a circle centred on their intersection, the circle standing proud of the arms.
Both are Christian memorial marks used on monuments.
Both are Christian crosses; the Celtic cross adds a ring at the crossing and typically a longer lower limb.