The streets of the 6th arrondissement of Paris were tinged with black and white on Saturday, during a demonstration by far-right groups. Black shirts, black jackets, caps and masks, black sheets covered with slogans painted in white, and in the ranks, many black flags struck with a white Celtic cross. The symbol was by far the most present, shared by all the small groups gathered.
What is the Celtic Cross? Why has this ancient symbol become a neo-fascist rallying sign? What message does it refer to? Should its use be prohibited? 20 minutes looks at the Celtic cross, with far-right political scientist Jean-Yves Camus.
What is the Celtic cross?
Originally, the Celtic cross “was a Christian cross”, recalls Jean-Yves Camus, particularly widespread in Great Britain, Ireland and Brittany at the beginning of medieval times. It combines, in this religious representation, the classic Latin cross with a circle, symbolizing the Holy Host, from which the branches of the cross protrude. Subsequently, like the Indian swastika before it (which became the Nazi swastika), it was “hijacked after the Second World War by neo-fascist movements”, explains the political scientist.
“We needed a sign that unites”, he justifies, but “all collaborationist acronyms were banned”. As a political symbol, it loses its lower leg there to become a regular cross that protrudes from a circle. In its less stylized version, it looks like a gun sight. “Pierre Sidos claimed paternity and had registered an approved model”, specifies Jean-Yves Camus.
What message does the choice of the Celtic cross send?
By taking up a symbol of medieval northern Europe, the ultra-right has endowed itself with a “civilizational symbol which transcends nationalities”, states Jean-Yves Camus. He also underlines that among the rallying cries of these nationalists attached to the sovereignty of France, is the “Europe youth revolution” of the GUD (Groupe union defense), chanted on Saturday.
In the ideology of this “neofascist” movement, there is a European identity “one of the major components of which is belonging to Christianity”, details the political scientist. Hence the choice of a symbol directly linked to religion. In addition, he specifies that while the Celtic cross is widespread within the far right, there are notable exceptions, such as Action Française, which uses the fleur-de-lis of royalty.
Should the Celtic cross (and far-right demonstrations) be banned?
For Jean-Yves Camus, the release of flags stamped with the Celtic cross is a “ritual” within this movement, during “known commemorations” on a fixed date. This is the case for the anniversary of the death of Sébastien Deyzieu, since May 9, 1994, but also since 1980 with the tribute to Joan of Arc. That which was to be held on Sunday was also banned, after the watchword sent by Gérald Darmanin to the prefects.
But the political scientist says he is “generally wary of general bans”: “You can ban a symbol, another will emerge, it’s an endless race. […] These demonstrations, even prohibited, will be held,” he told 20 minutes. Apart from a hostile atmosphere towards journalists, he also points to the absence of outbursts around these annual commemorations. “The only new thing is that there were 650 this year because people came from all over France. It gives a snapshot of the movement on the national level “precious for the intelligence services, which a ban could disrupt. “The political error is that we cannot both ban casseroles and let the far right parade,” he decides.