Carolingian Cross

A Christian symbol, quite possibly influenced by pre-Christian design.

A variation of the Everlasting Cross is the braided Carolingian Cross, named after the Carolingian dynasty, a Frankish noble family that can be traced back to the 7^th century.

From the 3^rd century, the Franks were a West Germanic tribe who lived north and east of the Lower Rhine River. By the 5^th century, their influence had spread into Roman territory and Gaul, which probably explains why their art has stylistic similarities with pre-Christian Celtic knotwork.

The name 'Carolingian' (from 'Charles' Martel, the first ruler) is vaguely similar to Cardinham, the name of an ancient village near Bodmin, Cornwall, England. In the walls of the 15^th century village church you can see a very old Celtic Cross. This Cardinham Cross happens to incorporate the Carolingian design.

There are a couple of ways to make a Carolingian Cross:

One way is to link four C's and connect the adjoining C ends.

Triquetra

Alternatively, four Triquetras can be connected together.

See also Everlasting Cross and Braided Cross