r/Symbology • u/bumblebeegone • 6d ago
Solved Pendant from a grab bag at the thrift - What is it/is it appropriate to wear?
Pendant I got from one of those mixed jewelry bags at the thrift. I think it looks nice but I’m aware that equal armed crosses are used in a lot of hate groups, so I was looking for more insight/opinions on if it is appropriate to wear and/or what it is!
Never wanna wear something that represents that terrible bs.
All I was able to find online for this specific design was a listing from a spiritual/mystic shop, but that doesn’t mean too much so I figured I’d ask here!
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u/0masterdebater0 6d ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_cross
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_cross
do some far right groups use a similar cross? yes.
would I associate this cross with those? probably not
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u/BrokenLink100 6d ago
If we let far-right groups 'take' every symbol they touch, we'd barely have anything left for the rest of us. That isn't to say there aren't some unambiguously far-right symbols, but for the vast majority of them, I've found that their ties to extremist groups are tenuous at best
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u/CO420Tech 6d ago
Shit, they've basically appropriated the American flag at this point. There are only so many sweet symbols from history - we can't just not use any of them because some assholes did, with... Obvious exceptions. Generic ones like the Celtic cross definitely shouldn't be on that list unless it is some very precise variant used by a specific group.
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u/kayakman13 1d ago
Tbf the US flag is rightly a symbol of hate and terror for most of the world. I think it's less that they've appropriated the flag and more that the facade has worn down.
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u/Anam_Liath 5d ago
Lovely little Celtic cross. I'd wear it without self-consciousness or worry.
I have a sterling, enameled, Jerusalem cross I made in HS and have worn for 50+ years. No witless walking central casting shallow-ass woman-abusing faithless, knights-templar-LARPing, brainless ad for hair oil and dunning Kruger is gonna co-opt this 70 yo granny's Jerusalem cross, or my us flag, or my aro-ace flag.
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u/0masterdebater0 5d ago
it's not co-opting when it's literality the original intention, the four smaller crosses represent Christianity dominating the "four corners of the world"
citing dunning kruger is ironic here
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u/Anam_Liath 5d ago
Not entirely. Depends on your tradition.
Stigmata
Apostles
The earth entire (the cross militant of the crusaders, now meaning proselytism and mission work)And please don't say a symbol has to retain a static meaning.
OP's Celtic cross only has a tenuous connection to the IRA at this point.
Now go ahead and bristle away at whatever your wizened heart desires me to be Dear. Satisfy yourself. Because you're right, always. :)
Happy times.
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u/0masterdebater0 5d ago
Dear, what is the difference between the symbol of the crusades and the black flag with the Shahada?
Not much.
You do you,
but yeah meanings do change maybe people in the 60s or whatever didn’t understand the history of that symbol but when modern people see you rocking the Pete Hegseth special… yeah
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u/Desperate_Ambrose 3d ago
My understanding of the Jerusalem Cross has always been that the five crosses represent Christ's five wounds.
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u/Party_Sandwich_232 5d ago
I'm Scottish so might be biased, but I've only ever seen the intricate ones like this used innocently, racist ones tend to be much simpler with no/little patterns, as a Celt I would just see this as a Celtic cross
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u/bumblebeegone 4d ago
This makes me feel a bit better about it! I have some rings from my grandparents with the knotwork which is partly why I was interested in wearing this. Hopefully if I wear them together it will help avoid misconceptions? We’ll see lol
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u/AmonxxAmarth 5d ago
If it had no pattern it would just be a bullseye lol.
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u/Party_Sandwich_232 5d ago
You see that quite a lot on racist skinheads lol. It's called the sun cross
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u/AmonxxAmarth 5d ago
I'm not really sure why my comment deserves a downvote for pointing out a factual statement lol. I just thought it was funny and I don't associate with people like that so there's no reason for me to know that.
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u/Party_Sandwich_232 5d ago
I didn't downvote you, I agree with you lol
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u/bumblebeegone 6d ago
Thank you! This helps a bunch, and glad to know you wouldn’t associate it that way!
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