Cornish Celtic Symbols Explained

At Sennen Jewellery, we are fascinated by the history and symbols you find across Cornwall — especially the ones that connect to its Celtic culture. From stone carvings to bardic traditions, these symbols are more than decoration; they represent faith, life, and what it means to be part of this land.

While Cornwall shares much with the wider world of Celtic symbolism, it also has its own distinct traditions. In this post, we’re taking a closer look at Cornish Celtic symbols — the ones you can still spot in old churches, on standing stones, or even in local jewellery today.

St Piran Cross, Perranporth, Cornwall, featuring Bob the dog

The Celtic Cross in Cornwall

One of the most recognisable Cornish symbols is the Celtic cross. You’ll find these carved into granite across Cornwall — from Penponds to St Buryan — many dating back over a thousand years. The cross, often with a central circle, appears on roadsides, in churchyards, and at the edge of moorland paths.

The meaning of the circle has been interpreted in different ways: it might represent the sun, the holy spirit, or the endless cycle of life and eternity. These crosses blend Christian belief with older pagan Celtic symbolism — a meeting point between old and new traditions. Some include carved swords, knotwork, or plants that reflect the local environment.

Well-known examples include:

• Sancreed Churchyard Cross

• St Piran’s Oratory Cross, near Perranporth

• Lanivet Cross, near Bodmin

The Awen Symbol

Cornish Tin Awen Pendant

The awen symbol — three rays emerging from three points — is closely tied to divine inspiration in Celtic paganism and bardic tradition. Though it's more commonly associated with Wales, the awen is also embraced in modern Cornish culture, particularly through groups like Gorsedh Kernow.

‘Awen’ means “inspiration” in both Cornish and Welsh, and the three lines are often said to represent life, balance, and the creative spirit. Today, it’s used in Druidic rituals, carved into pendants, and even featured on local artwork. You’ll often see it inside a circle or triangle, echoing its roots in celtic design.

National Symbols of Cornwall

Handmade Cornish Chough Pendant

Cornwall also has several strong national symbols that hold deep meaning for the Cornish people today:

• Cornish tin – A symbol of industry and resilience, once traded across Britain and beyond. Many locally made charms and crosses are still crafted from cornish tin.

• The Cornish chough – A red-legged coastal bird, now a proud symbol of rebirth and return. Its reappearance on Cornish cliffs has made it a powerful emblem of spirit and survival.

• St Piran’s Flag – The white cross on black is instantly recognisable. Said to represent molten tin flowing from rock, it’s flown at festivals, homes, and gatherings, and has become a key emblem of Cornish culture.

You’ll see these symbols on flags, jewellery, artwork, and everyday gifts — often chosen to show pride, memory, or a personal link to Cornwall.

Cornish Symbols in Artefacts and Stonework

When you visit ancient sites in Cornwall, you’ll notice recurring patterns and symbols — carved into stones, built into churches, or passed down in local tales:

• Spirals – found on stones like those at Boscawen-Un, these may relate to the sun, the seasons, or magic.

• Swords – carved into stone at sites like Tregaseal, these could mark honour, defence, or spiritual power.

• Trees – often symbols of life, strength, and the link between earth and sky.

• Crowns, triangles, and stylised harps can be seen in medieval carvings and manuscripts, tied to bardic life and royal imagery.

These symbols appear across Cornwall’s history, often blending Christian and older pagan Celtic ideas. They’re still seen today — not just in museums, but in jewellery and other meaningful objects that people choose to wear or keep close.

Symbols Today: A Link to The Ancient Celts

For many, these ancient symbols still hold a quiet power. Whether seen on a granite stone, or worn as part of everyday life, they continue to represent the values and identity of the Cornish people.

From festival banners to charms, they show up in small but personal ways — reminders of belief, friendship, spirit, and the rich culture that ties us to the past.

Why These Symbols Still Matter Today

These ancient symbols have carried meaning for centuries — and continue to hold significance in many parts of life today. They speak to values, beliefs, and experiences that still resonate:

• The pagan Celts saw symbols like the tree, spirals, and swords as linked to protection, cycles of nature, and the sacred.

• Symbols were often shaped to reflect different aspects of life, the spirit, and the world around them.

• Some motifs have been traced across Cornwall and other Celtic regions, from church carvings to bardic ceremonies.

• At institutions like the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, Cornwall’s emblems and heritage still play a visible role.

• It’s believed that symbols like the Celtic cross, harp, and awen carried deep faith and meaning for the Celts, telling tales of ancestry and the past.

Explore Cornish Symbols with Sennen Jewellery

At Sennen Jewellery, we love helping people explore the meanings behind these old symbols and finding pieces that reflect their own connection to Cornwall. Whether you're drawn to the Celtic cross, the awen symbol, or locally made Cornish tin charms, you can browse our Celtic jewellery collection online — or get in touch to commission a bespoke piece in silver or gold, inspired by Cornwall’s heritage.