The most distinctive feature in the design of Celtic crosses is the surrounding circle that connects the crossbars and the vertical beams. This circle is sometimes interpreted as a symbol for the sun; in accordance with this symbolism, Celtic crosses are sometimes also referred to as sun crosses. I found the following meditative reflection on this topic in the hospital chaplaincy of the Protestant deanery of Nassauer Land:
"The sun cross is a special symbol of Celtic Christianity. It can become a symbol for spirituality.
+ What you can practice – the horizontal arm of the cross. Your conscious rituals, prayers, and moments of silence. The attention you give to the sacred.
+ What happens to you – the vertical arm of the cross. Experiences that touch and transform you. Moments in which you sense something greater than yourself.
+ What gives you meaning – the circle that encompasses both. Words, stories, and traditions that help to understand and share these experiences.
Spirituality connects you with sources of strength that reach deeper than what you can see. For me, as a Christian, spirituality is a word for encountering the God who revealed himself in Jesus."