Riasg Buidhe Cross facts for kids
The Riasg Buidhe Cross is an old stone cross. You can find it in the gardens of Colonsay House on Colonsay, an island in Scotland. Colonsay is part of the Inner Hebrides. The cross gets its name from a village called Riasg Buidhe. This village is now empty and in ruins. It is about 1.5 miles south-east of Colonsay House. The cross was found there in the 1800s.
The Cross's Journey
This cross is very old, dating back to the 7th or 8th century. That means it was made about 1,200 to 1,300 years ago! It first stood in Riasg Buidhe. This area was known as an old burial ground.
In 1870, the cross was moved. It was taken to Colonsay House. This house was built in 1722. The cross was placed near a special well called Tobar Oran. This name means "The well of St. Oran." It was also close to where the Chapel of St. Oran used to be. The chapel is now gone.
What the Cross Looks Like
One side of the Riasg Buidhe Cross has a unique carving. It shows a serious-looking face. This face has clear eyebrows and ears. Below the face, there is a long, thin neck.
The arms of the figure are shown as two spirals. Many people believe this figure is a representation of Christ. The lower part of the body ends in a fishtail. This might be a nod to an old Christian idea. Early Christians sometimes used a fish to represent Christ.
