A High Cross is a standing cross with a circle, made of stone and often richly ornamented. High Crosses exist from the 7th century in Ireland, and were later seen in Scotland and in Wales; the Irish High Cross has become more famous because of its distinctive shape (the ringed Celtic Cross), the amount ornamentation, and for the quality of their decoration.

The ring initially served to strengthen the head and the arms of the High Cross, but it soon became a decorative feature as well.

The High Crosses were status symbols, either for a monastery or for a sponsor or patron.

The early 8th century crosses had only geometric motifs, but from the 9th and 10th century, biblical scenes were carved on the crosses. There were no crosses after the 12th century.

Amongst the most famous are:

• Muiredach's Cross and West Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth)
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  • A 12th century cross at Dysert O'Dea near O'Dea Castle showing Christ and a bishop carved in high relief on the east side, with geometric motifs and animal ornament on the other sides. On the west side of the base are shown the Temptation, with Adam and Eve beneath the tree of knowledge, while on the north side is some ceremony with several figures holding croziers. This is a particularly finely preserved twelfth-century example.
• Ahenny High Cross
• Ardboe Cross
  • An 8th century cross near Kildalton, Island of Islay Scotland.
  • A 10th century cross near Cookstown, eroded, showing 22 panels with scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
• Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise
  • The original 9th century cross is housed in a museum, but a copy stands on the original site.
• North Cross, Clonmacnoise
• South Cross, Clonmacnoise
• St. Kevin's Cross, Glendalough
  • A 12th century cross, well preserved, made of granite.
• South Cross, Kells, County Meath
  • The South Cross is the best preserved of several 10th century crosses.
• Doorty Cross, Kilfenora, County Clare. 12th century.
  • Has a bishop and two other clerics carved on it.
• Three crosses at Kilkieran, County Tipperary
  • Plain Cross (unadorned), West Cross (with much ornamentation), Long Shaft Cross (has a long shaft with decoration).

• Tottenham High Cross, Tottenham, London

Christian art | Celtic art | Irish culture | Cross symbols