As Christianity began to spread during the Middle Ages, a series of free standing, stone Celtic crosses were erected across the Irish country side. Usually placed in monasteries or other holy sites, these crosses took on a plethora of different roles: meeting points, pilgrimage trail markers, and a way to spread Christianity to the warrior tribes. Unlike the other preserved remnants of art from the early Middle Ages that tended to be small and portable due to their creators' nomadic lifestyle, these crosses typically were over fifteen feet high.
An example of these monumental works is the "High Cross of Muiredach" in southern Ireland. Probably created in remembrance of particular abbot named Muiredach, this particular cross, fashioned in 923 C.E. and approximately eighteen feet in height, presides over a burial ground. On the Western face, there stands a depiction of the Crucifixion, whereas on its Eastern face, one can see risen Christ as the judge over dead souls, standing over four registers portraying those souls about to be weighed.
In order to gain support in the nomadic warrior tribes inhabiting the Irish countryside, Christians began to stylize these High Crosses. The crosses took on a Celtic shape with concave arms, all connected by arches to form a loop, which some say may represent the sun's power.
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