The Celtic cross (or St. Patrick's cross) is an ancient symbol belonging to the pre-Christian Celtic tradition.
Geometrically simple (it derives from the superposition of an empty circle on a Latin cross, so that the center of the circle coincides with the point of intersection of the arms of the cross), it is often confused or overlapped with historically previous or subsequent symbols (such as solar wheels and solar crosses or others from the Neolithic era): in the medieval period these symbols were used in the Christian context, in particular by Celtic Christianity, while after the Second World War the cross was reused in the political sphere also following the use of Father Paul Doncoeur , war veteran and president of General Édouard de Castelnau's Fédération nationale catholique.
It later became a typical symbol of some political movements and parties, especially of the far right, its use is opposed by opponents of these ideologies. The meaning of the Celtic cross, as indicated by neo-Druidic groups, has no historical basis[1]. However, since the 19th century its use has been extended to various fields such as sports, as can be seen for example from the coat of arms of the Gaelic Athletic Association founded in 1884.