The Christian cross is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity. Religious symbolism is the use of Symbols including Archetypes, acts artwork events or natural phenomena, by a religion Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings It is generally seen as a representation of the crucifixion of Jesus. Crucifixion (from Latin crucifixio, noun of process crucifixio, from perfect passive participle crucifixus, fixed to a cross from Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) It is related to the crucifix (a cross that includes a representation of Jesus' body) and to the more general family of cross symbols. A crucifix (from Latin cruci fixus meaning "(one fixed to a cross" is a cross with a representation of Jesus ' body or corpus A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half

Contents 1 History of use of the symbol 1.1 Pre-Christian cross symbols 1.2 Early Christian use 1.3 In contemporary Christianity 1.4 Rejection of the cross as a symbol of Christianity 2 Forms of the Cross 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

History of use of the symbol

Pre-Christian cross symbols

The cross-shaped sign, represented in its simplest form by a crossing of two lines at right angles, greatly antedates, in both East and West, the introduction of Christianity. It goes back to a very remote period of human civilization. It is supposed to have been used not just for its ornamental value, but also with religious significance. ^[1]

Some have sought to attach to the widespread use of this sign, in particular in its swastika form, a real ethnographic importance. The swastika (from Sanskrit: svástika sa स्वस्तिक Hindu IS CORRECT if 'ि' is positioned incorrectly see -->) is It may have represented the apparatus used in kindling fire, and thus as the symbol of sacred fire (Burnouf, La science des religions) or as a symbol of the sun,^[2] denoting its daily rotation. It has also been interpreted as the mystic representation of lightning or of the god of the tempest, and even the emblem of the Aryan pantheon and the primitive Aryan civilization.

Another symbol that has been connected with the cross is the ansated cross (ankh or crux ansata) of the ancient Egyptians, which often appears as a symbolic sign in the hands of the goddess Sekhet, and appears as a hieroglyphic sign of life or of the living. ^[3] In later times the Egyptian Christians (Copts), attracted by its form, and perhaps by its symbolism, adopted it as the emblem of the cross (Gayet, "Les monuments coptes du Musée de Boulaq" in "Mémoires de le mission française du Caire", VIII, fasc. III, 1889, p. 18, pl. XXXI–XXXII & LXX–LXXI).

In the Bronze Age we meet in different parts of Europe a more accurate representation of the cross, as conceived in Christian art, and in this shape it was soon widely diffused. This more precise characterization coincides with a corresponding general change in customs and beliefs. The cross is now met with, in various forms, on many objects: fibulas, cinctures, earthenware fragments, and on the bottom of drinking vessels. De Mortillet is of opinion that such use of the sign was not merely ornamental, but rather a symbol of consecration, especially in the case of objects pertaining to burial. In the proto-Etruscan cemetery of Golasecca every tomb has a vase with a cross engraved on it. True crosses of more or less artistic design have been found in Tiryns, at Mycenæ, in Crete, and on a fibula from Vulci.

[The material in this section is a slightly abbreviated copy of text in the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia reproduced in full in Wikisource. ]

Early Christian use

During the first two centuries of Christianity, the cross may have been rare in Christian iconography, as it depicts a purposely painful and gruesome method of public execution. Iconography is the branch of Art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images Capital punishment, the death penalty or execution, is the Killing of a person by judicial process as Punishment. The Ichthys, or fish symbol, was used by early Christians. Ichthys or Ichthus Greek: grc ἰχθύς capitalized grc ΙΧΘΥΣ also transliterated and Latinized as ichthys, The Chi-Rho monogram, which was adopted by Constantine I in the fourth century as his banner (see labarum), was another Early Christian symbol of wide use. The Labarum (☧ was a military standard that displayed the first two Greek letters of the word " Christ " ( Greek: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ or Χριστός Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus (27 February ca. 272 &ndash 22 May 337 commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or Saint Constantine The Labarum (☧ was a military standard that displayed the first two Greek letters of the word " Christ " ( Greek: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ or Χριστός Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c

However, the cross symbol was already associated with Christians in the second century, as is indicated in the anti-Christian arguments cited in the Octavius of Minucius Felix, chapters IX and XXIX, written at the end of that century or the beginning of the next,^[4] and by the fact that by the early third century the cross had become so closely associated with Christ that Clement of Alexandria, who died between 211 and 216, could without fear of ambiguity use the phrase τὸ κυριακὸν σημεῖον (the Lord's sign) to mean the cross, when he repeated the idea, current as early as the apocryphal Epistle of Barnabas, that the number 318 (in Greek numerals, ΤΙΗ) in Genesis 14:14 was interpreted using numerology as a foreshadowing (a "type") of the cross (T, an upright with crossbar, standing for 300) and of Jesus (ΙΗ, the first two letter of his name ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, standing for 18),^[5] and his contemporary Tertullian could designate the body of Christian believers as crucis religiosi, i. Felix Marcus Minucius was one of the earliest if not the earliest of the Latin apologists for Christianity. Saint Clement of Alexandria (born Titus Flavius Clemens) (c150 - 211/216 was the first notable member of the Church of Alexandria, and one of its most The Epistle of Barnabas is a Greek treatise with some features of an Epistle containing twenty-one chapters preserved complete in the 4th century Codex ʹ the numeral sign redirects here For the accent ´ see Acute accent. Numerology is any of many Systems Traditions or Beliefs in a mystical or Esoteric relationship between Numbers and physical Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Anglicised as Tertullian, (ca e. "devotees of the Cross". ^[6] In his book De Corona, written in 204, Tertullian tells how it was already a tradition for Christians to trace repeatedly on their foreheads the sign of the cross. The Sign of the Cross, or Signum crucis in Latin is a ritual hand motion made by members of many but not all branches of Christianity. ^[7]

The Jewish Encyclopedia says:

The cross as a Christian symbol or "seal" came into use at least as early as the second century (see "Apost. Const. " iii. 17; Epistle of Barnabas, xi. -xii. ; Justin, "Apologia," i. 55-60; "Dial. cum Tryph. " 85-97); and the marking of a cross upon the forehead and the chest was regarded as a talisman against the powers of demons (Tertullian, "De Corona," iii. ; Cyprian, "Testimonies," xi. 21–22; Lactantius, "Divinæ Institutiones," iv. 27, and elsewhere). Accordingly the Christian Fathers had to defend themselves, as early as the second century, against the charge of being worshipers of the cross, as may be learned from Tertullian, "Apologia," xii. , xvii. , and Minucius Felix, "Octavius," xxix. Christians used to swear by the power of the cross (see Apocalypse of Mary, viii. , in James, "Texts and Studies," iii. 118).

In contemporary Christianity

In Christendom the cross reminds Christians of God's act of love and atonement in Christ's sacrifice at Calvary—"the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Christendom usually refers to Christianity as a territorial phenomenon Agapē (ˈægəpiː ( Gk αγάπη) is one of several Greek words translated into English as love. The atonement is a doctrine found within both Christianity and Judaism. "Golgotha" redirects here For other uses see Golgotha (disambiguation. " The cross also reminds Christians of Jesus' victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through His death and resurrection He conquered death itself. Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, members of the major branches of Lutheranism, some Anglicans,and other Christians often make the sign of the cross upon themselves. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs This was already a common Christian practice in the time of Tertullian. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Anglicised as Tertullian, (ca ^[8] One of the twelve great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church is the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14, which commemorates the consecration of the basilica on the site where the original cross of Jesus was reportedly discovered in 326 by Helena of Constantinople, mother of Constantine the Great. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world In the Christian Liturgical calendar, there are several different feasts known as Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Events By Place Roman Empire Constantine I founds Constantinople and incorporates Byzantium into the new city Saint Helena (Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople (c The Catholic Church celebrates the feast on the same day and under the same name ("In Exaltatione Sanctae Crucis"), though in English it has been called the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican bishops place a cross [+] before the name when signing a document.

See also: True Cross

Rejection of the cross as a symbol of Christianity

Jehovah's Witnesses, noting the pre-Christian use of the cross symbol and lack of its early use by Christians until after the deaths of the apostles, reject it as essentially pagan in origin. The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which by a Christian tradition are believed to be from the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world They hold that the instrument on which Jesus died was really a single-beamed "torture stake". See Cross or stake as gibbet on which Jesus died. Writers hold different views on the form of the Gibbet used in the execution of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, and differ about the meaning of the Greek

The Greek word "σταυρός" (stauros) is rendered "cross" in nearly all English translations of the Bible. In classical Greek - the Greek that was used in the fifth and fourth centuries before Christ - this word meant merely an upright stake, or pale. In the context of the art architecture and culture of Ancient Greece, the classical period corresponds to most of the 5th and 4th centuries ^[9] In the Greek of the New Testament, the Greek used by some of those who witnessed Jesus' death, the word was used to refer to a cross, as in the writings of the first-century B. C. Diodorus Siculus and in later writers, such as Plutarch and Lucian. Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus ( Greek: Μέστριος Πλούταρχος c Lucian of Samosata (Λουκιανός ὁ Σαμοσατεύς Lucianus c ^[10] Jehovah's Witnesses also hold that the use in, for instance, Acts 5:30 of the Greek word "ξύλον" (xylon), meaning "wood", "timber", for the instrument of Christ's death indicates that the original writers had in mind an upright piece of timber, not a wooden cross. In fact, the word "ξύλον" was used of wooden objects as varied as firewood, a cudgel, a wooden collar or stocks for a prisoner, a gallows, a stake, a table, a wooden spoon, and a live tree. ^[11]

Jehovah's Witnesses' main reason for rejecting the cross is because they see it as an idol, the use of which in worship is condemned in the Bible (Ex 20:4,5; Ex 32:3-10; Ps 115:4-8; 1Co 10:14; Re 21:8). Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin And, for them, it is unthinkable that the instrument of Christ's brutal murder should be seen as holy or worthy of veneration. ^[12]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church) also rejects the cross as a symbol, seeing it as a sign of Christ's death and therefore inappropriate as a symbol of the living Christ or his church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known

Forms of the Cross

The cross is often shown in different shapes and sizes, in many different styles. It may be used in personal jewelry, or used on top of church buildings. It is shown both empty, and with the body of Christ (corpus) nailed to it, in which case it is typically called a crucifix, though this word, in its original sense, denotes the body affixed to the cross. A crucifix (from Latin cruci fixus meaning "(one fixed to a cross" is a cross with a representation of Jesus ' body or corpus Roman Catholic and High Anglican depictions of the cross are often crucifixes, in order to emphasize Jesus' sacrifice. Many Protestant traditions depict the cross without the corpus, interpreting this form as an indication of belief in the resurrection rather than as representing the interval between the death and the resurrection of Jesus. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

Crosses are a prominent feature of Christian cemeteries, either carved on gravestones or as sculpted stelas. A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. A headstone, tombstone or gravestone is a marker normally carved from stone, placed over or next to the site of a Burial A stele (from Greek:, stēlē, ˈstiːli plural stelae,, stēlai, ˈstiːlaɪ also found Latinised singular stela Because of this, planting small crosses is sometimes used in countries of Christian culture to mark the site of fatal accidents, or to protest alleged deaths. Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed

In Catholic countries, crosses are often erected on the peaks of prominent mountains, such as the Zugspitze or Mount Royal, so as to be visible over the entire surrounding area. The Zugspitze is the highest Mountain in Germany. It is located at the Austrian border in the town of Grainau of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mount Royal ( Mont Royal) ( is a Hill on the Island of Montreal, immediately north of downtown Montreal, Quebec

Forms of the Christian cross include:

• Altar cross. Cross on a flat base to rest upon the altar of a church. An altar is any structure upon which Sacrifices or other offerings are made for religious purposes or some other sacred place where ceremonies take place Earliest known example is a picture in a manuscript from the 9th century; by the 10th century they were commonly used, but the earliest extant altar cross is from the 12th century located at Great Lavra on Mt. Athos. The Monastery of Great Lavra (Μονή Μεγίστης Λαύρας is the first monastery built on Mount Athos. Mount Athos (Όρος Άθως is a mountain on the Peninsula of the same name in Macedonia, of northern Greece, called in Greek Άγιον
• Andrew cross. St Andrew's Cross redirects here For the item of BDSM furniture see Saint Andrew's Cross (BDSM A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross See, below, Saltire.
• Ankh. Ankylosis progressive homolog (mouse, also known as ANKH, is a human Gene. Shaped like the letter T surmounted by an oval or circle. Originally the Egyptian symbol for "life", it was adopted by the Copts (Egyptian Christians). A Copt ( Coptic: ouRemenkīmi enEkhristianos, literally Egyptian Christian) is a native Egyptian Christian. Also called a crux ansata, meaning "cross with a handle".
• Anthony's cross. The Cross of Tau; also called the Tau Cross, St Anthony's Cross, the Old Testament Cross, the Anticipatory Cross, the Cross Commissee See, below, Tau cross.
• Archiepiscopal cross. The Patriarchal cross is a variant of the Christian cross, the universal Religious symbol of Christianity. A double-barred cross carried by an archbishop. In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead
• Basque cross. The lauburu or Basque cross has four comma -shaped heads similar to the Japanese Tomoe. The lauburu.
• Calvary cross. "Golgotha" redirects here For other uses see Golgotha (disambiguation. Either a stepped cross (see below), or a Gothic-style cross mounted on a base shaped to resemble Mt. Golgatha (where Christ was crucified), with the Virgin Mary and Saint John on either the base or crossarms. This article is about Gothic art See also Gothic architecture Gothic art was a Medieval art movement that lasted about 200 "Golgotha" redirects here For other uses see Golgotha (disambiguation. Saint John the Evangelist (d ca 110 יוחנן " The LORD is merciful" Standard Hebrew Yoḥanan, Tiberian Hebrew
• Canterbury cross. Canterbury ( ˈkæntəbɹ̩i is a City in eastern Kent in the South East region of England. A cross with four arms of equal length which widen to a hammer shape at the outside ends. Each arm has a triangular panel inscribed in a triquetra (three-cornered knot) pattern. There is a small square panel in the center of the cross. A symbol of the Anglican and Episcopal Churches. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches
• Celtic Cross. A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a Cross with a ring surrounding the intersection Essentially a Latin cross, with a circle enclosing the intersection of the upright and crossbar, as in the standing High crosses;
• Consecration cross. High Cross is the name of a number of locations in the United Kingdom England High Cross Cambridgeshire High Cross One of 12 crosses painted on the walls of a church to mark where it had been anointed during its consecration. Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service usually religious
• Coptic cross The original Coptic cross has its origin in the Coptic ankh. The original Coptic Cross has its origin in the Coptic ankh symbol and was adopted by early Christian Gnostics such as the well known Valentinus The Coptic Ankh Cross, also known as the Gnostic cross has its origin in the Egyptian Ankh and is the pre Coptic cross
• Crux fourchette. As a piece of Cutlery or Kitchenware, a fork is a tool consisting of a handle with several narrow tines (usually two three or four on one end A cross with flared or forked ends (see illustration at Crosses in Heraldry). A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half
• Cruciform floor plans of churches. For the resurrection device/parasite at the Hyperion Cantos see Cruciform (Hyperion Cantos.
• Crux gemmata. Crux gemmata is a fork-ended jeweled Cross with thirteen precious stones from which its Latin name ("gemmed" is derived A cross inlaid with gems. Denotes a glorification of the cross, this form was inspired by the cult of the cross that arose after Saint Helena's discovery of the true cross in Jerusalem in 327. Saint Helena (Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople (c The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which by a Christian tradition are believed to be from the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Events By Place Roman Empire In order to resolve the shortage of labour in the provinces Constantine I decrees that rural slaves can only
• Crux hasta. Hasta is a Latin word meaning Spear. Hastae were carried by early Roman Legionaries, in particular they were carried by and gave their name to A cross with a long descending arm; a cross-staff.
• Crux pattée. A cross pattée (also known as a "cross pattee" "cross patty" or "cross formy" or in German "Tatzenkreuz" is a type of A Greek cross with flared ends.
• Double cross. The Patriarchal cross is a variant of the Christian cross, the universal Religious symbol of Christianity. A cross with two crossbars. See Patriarchal cross.
• Gammadion. The gammadion, or rather the tetra-gammadion, is an ancient symbol also known as Swastika. A hooked cross or swastika, also known as a crux gammata. The swastika (from Sanskrit: svástika sa स्वस्तिक Hindu IS CORRECT if 'ि' is positioned incorrectly see -->) is
• Globus cruciger. The globus cruciger ( Latin, "cross-bearing orb" is an orb (lat Globe cross. An orb surmounted by a cross; used in royal regalia.
• Greek cross. A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half With arms of equal length. One of the most common Christian forms, in common use by the 4th century.
• Gnostic cross. The sun cross, a Cross inside a Circle, is one of the oldest and most widespread of symbols Cross used by the early Gnostic sects. Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems
• Latin cross. The Christian cross is the best-known Religious symbol of Christianity. With a longer descending arm. Along with the Greek cross, it is the most common form, it represents the cross of Jesus' crucifixion.
• Living cross. One of two possibilities: Either a natural cross made of living vines and branches. Or, a man-made cross with vines or plants planted at its base. In the all-natural version, it refers to the legend that Jesus' cross was made from the Tree of Life. See also Tree of life for other cultural interpretations of the term and Tree of life (disambiguation for other meanings of the term In the man-made cross with plants planted at the base, it contrasts the "new" Tree of Life (the cross) with the Book of Genesis Tree of Life. In both cases it shows Jesus' death (the cross) as a redemption for original sin (Tree of Life).
• Lorraine cross. This article is about a symbol For the film see The Cross of Lorraine. Once with crossbars of equal length near the top and the bottom, now practically identical with the patriarchal cross
• Maltese cross. The Patriarchal cross is a variant of the Christian cross, the universal Religious symbol of Christianity. The Maltese cross or Amalfi cross is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta A Greek cross with arms that taper into the center. The outer ends may be forked.
• Marian Cross. The Marian Cross is an informal name applied to a Roman Catholic Cross design A term invented to refer to Pope John Paul II's combination of a Latin cross and the letter M, representing the Mary present on Calvary. Pope "Golgotha" redirects here For other uses see Golgotha (disambiguation.
• Occitan cross
• Papal Cross. Languedoc ( in French Lengadòc in Occitan) is a former Province of France, now continued in the modern-day ''régions'' of Languedoc-Roussillon The papal cross or ferula is an emblem of the papal office As a material cross it was carried before the Roman pontiff in processions or was used by him as A cross with three bars near the top. The bar are of unequal length, each one shorter than the one below.
• Patriarchal cross, also called an archiepiscopal cross or a crux gemina. The Patriarchal cross is a variant of the Christian cross, the universal Religious symbol of Christianity. A double cross, with the two crossbars near the top. The upper one is shorter, representing the plaque nailed to Jesus' cross. Similar to the Cross of Lorraine, though in the original version of the latter, the bottom arm is lower. This article is about a symbol For the film see The Cross of Lorraine. The Eastern Orthodox cross adds a slanted bar near the foot.
• Pectoral cross. A pectoral cross or pectorale (from the Latin pectoralis, "of the Chest " is a cross, usually large suspended from A large cross worn in front of the chest (in Latin, pectus) by some clergy. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion.
• Peter cross. "Peter cross" redirects here For other uses see Peter Cross (disambiguation The Cross of St A cross with the crossbeam placed near the foot, that is associated with Saint Peter because of the tradition that he was crucified with head down. In modern times it has been used also as a symbol of the Devil and Satanism. The Devil is the For other uses of the word see Satanism (disambiguation. Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context
• Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians. The Rose Cross is the central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians The Rose Cross is as its name suggests a Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on
• Russian orthodox cross: See Suppedaneum cross. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure
• Saltire or crux decussata. St Andrew's Cross redirects here For the item of BDSM furniture see Saint Andrew's Cross (BDSM A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross An X-shaped cross associated with St. Andrew, patron of Scotland, and so a national symbol of that country. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The shape is that of the cross on which Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred. Also known as St. Andrew's Cross or Andrew Cross.
• Stepped cross. A cross resting on a base with three steps, also called a graded or a Calvary cross.
• Suppedaneum cross. The Patriarchal cross is a variant of the Christian cross, the universal Religious symbol of Christianity. Also known as Crux Orthodoxa, Byzantine cross, Eastern cross, Russian cross, Slavic or Slavonic cross. A three-barred cross in which the short top bar represents the inscription over Jesus' head, and the lowest (usually slanting) short bar, placed near the foot, represents his footrest (in Latin, suppedaneum). This cross existed very early in Byzantium, and was adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church and especially popularized in the Slavic countries. This article is about the city See also Byzantine Empire. Byzantium ( Greek: Βυζάντιον Latin: la BYZANTIVM
• Saint Thomas Cross. Kerala has many churches of antiquity It is recorded that before the arrival of Portuguese there were more than 150 ancient churches in Kerala. The ancient cross used by the Syrian Malabar Nasrani community of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala, India. The Syrian Malabar Nasrani people are an Ethnoreligious group from Kerala, India. This article addresses the Saint Thomas Christians and the various churches and denominations that form the Nasrani people.
• Tau cross. The Cross of Tau; also called the Tau Cross, St Anthony's Cross, the Old Testament Cross, the Anticipatory Cross, the Cross Commissee A T-shaped cross. Also called the Saint Anthony's cross and crux commissa. Saint Anthony the Great (c 251–356 also known as Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite,

For further information on the forms in which the cross is represented, including its heraldric use, see the article Cross. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half

The Dagger symbol also represents the Christian cross. A dagger ( †, &dagger U+ 2020 is a typographical symbol or Glyph. In Unicode, it is U+2020(†). In Computing, Unicode is an Industry standard allowing Computers to consistently represent and manipulate text expressed in most of the world's

Gallery

Here are some examples of crosses:

See also

• Christian symbolism
• Cross burning
• Intending cross
• Market cross
• Rood screen
• Rood loft
• Roodmas

References

External links

• "Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
• MSN Encarta
• Articles on The Cross
• An Explanation of the Russian Orthodox Three-Bar Cross
• Another small explanation on the Orthodox Cross
• Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix
• The Cross and Crucifix in Liturgy
• Variations of Crosses - Images and Meanings
• Crucifixion in Antiquity Information on the methods of crucifixion used by the Romans

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