Variations on the religious symbol through Christian history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Christian cross, with or without a figure of Christ included, is the main religious symbol of Christianity. A cross with a figure of Christ affixed to it is termed a crucifix and the figure is often referred to as the corpus (Latin for "body").
The term Greek cross designates a cross with arms of equal length, as in a plus sign, while the Latin cross designates a cross with an elongated descending arm. Numerous other variants have been developed during the medieval period.
Christian crosses are used widely in churches, on top of church buildings, on bibles, in heraldry, in personal jewelry, on hilltops, and elsewhere as an attestation or other symbol of Christianity.
Crosses are a prominent feature of Christian cemeteries, either carved on gravestones or as sculpted stelae. Because of this, planting small crosses is sometimes used in countries of Christian culture to mark the site of fatal accidents, or, such as the Zugspitze or Mount Royal, so as to be visible over the entire surrounding area.
Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran depictions of the cross are often crucifixes, in order to emphasize that it is Jesus that is important, rather than the cross in isolation. Large crucifixes are a prominent feature of some Lutheran churches, e.g. as a rood. However, some other 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.
Several Christian cross variants are available in computer-displayed text. A Latin cross ("†") is included in the extended ASCII character set,[1] and several variants have been added to Unicode, starting with the Latin cross in version 1.1.[2] For others, see Religious and political symbols in Unicode.
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Basic forms
Basic variants, or early variants widespread since antiquity.
A total number of 15 variants.
Cross with a longer descending arm, whereby the top of the upright shaft extends above the transverse beam. It represents the cross of Jesus's crucifixion. In Latin, it was referred to as crux immissa or crux capitata.
A type of cross with arms of equal length, used as a national symbol of Greece, Switzerland, and Tonga. Along with the Latin cross, it is one of the most common Christian forms, in common use by the 4th century.
Upright cross with outwardly widening ends. It is often seen in relics from the late antique and early medieval Byzantine Empire (until c.800) and was adopted by other Christian cultures of the time, such as the Franks and Goths.
Also called an archiepiscopal cross or a crux gemina. A double-cross, with the two crossbars near the top. The upper one is shorter, representing the plaque nailed to Jesus's cross. Similar to the Cross of Lorraine, though in the original version of the latter, the bottom arm is lower. The Eastern Orthodox (Slavic) cross adds a slanted bar near the foot.
The Cross of Lorraine consists of one vertical and two horizontal bars. The two-barred cross consists of a vertical line crossed by two shorter horizontal bars. In most renditions, the horizontal bars are "graded" with the upper bar being the shorter, though variations with the bars of equal length are also seen.
Also known as a pontifical cross, it is similar to a patriarchal cross, but with an additional crossbar below the main crossbar, equal in length to the upper crossbar.
The Chi Rho (/ˈkaɪˈroʊ/; also known as chrismon) is one of the earliest forms of christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.
A cross resting on a base with several steps (usually three), also called a graded or a Calvary cross. This symbol first appears on coinage from the time of Byzantine Emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). The three steps represent Faith, Hope and Charity, and are sometimes marked Fides (top), Spes (middle) and Caritas (bottom), the Latin forms of these words.
A cross featuring a ring or nimbus. This type has several variants, including the cruciform halo and the Celtic cross. A cruciform halo is used to represent the persons of the Holy Trinity, especially Jesus, and it was used especially in medieval art.
A cross in the form of the letter Y that gained popularity in the late 13th or early 14th century in the German Rhineland. Also known as a crucifixus dolorosus, furca, ypsilon cross, Y-cross, thief's cross or robber's cross.
A cross with the crossbeam placed near the foot, that is associated with Saint Peter because of the tradition that he was crucified head down. In modern culture, the cross is often also associated with Satanism or anti-Christian sentiment.
An X-shaped cross associated with St. Andrew, patron of Scotland, and so a national symbol of that country. 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.
Bride's cross, also known as Brigid's cross or Brighid's cross, these are usually woven of rushes or wheat stalks. They can be Christian or pagan symbols depending on context. They may have three or four arms.
Sometimes associated with Saint George, the military saint, often depicted as a crusader from the Late Middle Ages, the cross has appeared on many flags, emblems, standards, and coats of arms. Its first documented use was as the ensign of the Republic of Genoa, whereafter it was used successively by the crusaders. Notable uses are on the Flag of England and the Georgian flag.
A stylized cross in the shape of an anchor. A varied symbol, the mariner's cross is also referred to as the cross of Saint Clement in reference to the way he was martyred, or the cross of Hope, as a reference to Hebrews 6:19. It traditionally symbolizes security, hope, steadfastness, and composure.
A cross is usually shown erect, as it would be when used for crucifixion. The Portate Cross differs in that it is borne diagonally, as it would be when the victim bears the cross-bar over his shoulder as he drags it along the ground to the crucifixion site.
A red Cross of Saint James with flourished arms, surmounted with an escallop, was the emblem of the twelfth-century Galician and Castillian military Order of Santiago, named after Saint James the Greater.
A Latin cross with the crossing point, starting initially as wide permanent and widening only at its end to the outside arms. It is not to be confused with the Maltese cross, also known as the St. John's cross. In heraldry, it is a common figure in coat of arms.
Symbol of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and a typical feature of khachkars. Also known as the "Blooming Cross" owing to the trefoil emblems at the ends of each branch. A khachkar (cross-stone) is a popular symbol of Armenian Christianity.
A saw toothed form of the St. Andrews cross, symbolizing the rough branches he was crucified on. A historic symbol of the Burgundy region, dating back to the 15th century when supporters of the Duke of Burgundy adopted the badge to show allegiance in the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.
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.
Shaped like the letter T usually surmounted by a circle. Not to be confused with an Ankh which is usually surmounted by a drop shape. Adopted from the Egyptian Ankh by the Copts (Egyptian Christians) and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
The cross represents not only the death of Christ but also victory over death and impiety. This is represented also in the Maltese cross. It is boutonné, the eight points symbolising the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) Between the arms of the cross is the stylised fleur-de-lys (on the French Coat of Arms), each has 3 petals; the total of twelve petals of the fleur-de-lys signify the twelve apostles. Between each fleur-de-lys and the arms of the Maltese cross with which it is joined, an open space in the form of a heart, the symbol of loyalty, suggests the seal of the French Reformer, John Calvin. The pendant dove symbolises the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). In times of persecution a pearl, symbolizing a teardrop, replaced the dove.
An eight-pointed cross having the form of four V-shaped elements, each joining the others at its vertex, leaving the other two tips spread outward symmetrically. It is the cross symbol associated with the Order of St. John since the Middle Ages, shared with the traditional Knights Hospitaller and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and by extension with the island of Malta.
In Eastern Christian art found on tombs in China, these crosses are sometimes simplified and depicted as resting on a lotus flower or on a stylized cloud.
A Greek cross with four Cyrillic S's (C) in each of its angles, inspired by the imperial motto of the Palaiologos dynasty, but with the meaning of "Only unity saves the Serbs" (Само Слога Србина Спасава), generally attributed to Serbian patron saint, St. Sava. A national symbol of Serbia and symbol of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The cross is used on the coat of arms of Serbia and the flag of Serbia.
Also known as the Russian cross, Slavic, Slavonic cross, or Eastern Orthodox, Russian Orthodox 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 in a slightly different form (with the bottom crossbeam pointing upwards) in Byzantium, and it was changed and adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church and especially popularized in the East Slavic countries.
Six-pointed variant of Russian Orthodox cross. Also called the suppedaneum cross, meaning under-foot cross, referring to the bar where Jesus put his feet while crucified.
A Christian symbol used by various Christian denominations, particularly the Bible Student movement and the Church of Christ, Scientist. It has also been used in heraldry. The emblem is often interpreted as symbolizing the reward in heaven (the crown) coming after the trials in this life (the cross) (James 1:12).
A Greek cross. Each gamma represents one of the four Evangelists, radiating from the central Greek Cross, which represents Christ. The term "Gamma cross" can refer to either a voided cross or a swastika.
The Passion Cross has sharpened points at the end of one or more of the cross members. It is also referred to as the Cross of Suffering representing the nails that Christ suffered at his Crucifixion. In heraldry, it is known as the Cross aiguisée.
The off-center cross was invented in late April, 1946, in a hotel room in Akron, Ohio, during the Universalist General Assembly, where a number of Universalist ministers pooled their ideas.
Used on Ordnance Survey maps to represent churches and chapels. A cross on a filled square represents a church with a tower; and a cross on a filled circle represents a church with a spire. Churches without towers or spires are represented by plain Greek crosses. These symbols also now refer to non-Christian places of worship, and the cross on a filled circle also represents a place of worship with a minaret or dome.
Symbol of ecumenism, the concept that all church denominations should work together to promote Christian unity. Adopted in 1948, symbolizing the message of the ecumenical movement and tracing its origins to the gospel story of the calling of the disciples by Jesus and the stilling of the storm on Lake Galilee.
A red Greek cross starting initially as wide permanent and widening only at its end to the outside arms, with a white inner simple Greek cross. Not to be confused with the Cross of Saint John nor the Maltese cross. It's the insignia of the Military Order of Christ (Portuguese: Ordem Militar de Cristo), former Knights Templar order as it was reconstituted in Portugal after the Templars were abolished on 22 March 1312, being the Grand Master the current President of Portugal. It's an honorific symbol of the Portuguese Navy, and current symbol of the Portuguese Air Force.
A red Latin cross starting initially as wide permanent and widening only at its end to the outside arms, with a white inner simple Latin cross. Not to be confused with the Cross of Saint John nor the Maltese cross. It's the symbol of the Papal Supreme Order of Christ (Italian: Ordine Supremo del Cristo), the highest order of chivalry awarded by the Pope, and it's the Papal parallel to the Order of Christ in both Portugal and Brazil.
A cross with a representation of Jesus' body hanging from it. It is primarily used in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches (where the figure is painted), and it emphasizes Christ's sacrifice—his death by crucifixion. It is also used on most rosaries, a Catholic tool for prayer.
A cross on a flat base to rest upon the altar of a church. The earliest known representation of an altar cross appears in a miniature in a 9th-century manuscript. By the 10th century such crosses were in common use, but the earliest extant altar cross is a 12th-century one in the Great Lavra on Mount Athos. Mass in the Roman Rite requires the presence of a cross (more exactly, a crucifix) "on or close to" the altar. Accordingly, the required cross may rest on the reredos rather than on the altar, or it may be on the wall behind the altar or be suspended above the altar.
A large stone cross that is richly decorated. From the 19th century, many large modern versions have been erected for various functions, and smaller Celtic crosses have become popular for individual grave monuments, usually featuring only abstract ornament, usually interlace.
Large crucifix high in a church; most medieval Western churches had one, often with figures of the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist alongside, and often mounted on a rood screen
A cross made to commemorate a military serviceperson killed in action, made from their rifle, boots, and helmet. It is a military tradition in the United States.
For use in documents made using a computer, there are Unicode code-points for multiple types of Christian crosses.
U+16ED᛭RUNIC CROSS PUNCTUATION
U+205C⁜DOTTED CROSS
U+2626☦ORTHODOX CROSS
U+2627☧CHI RHO
U+2628☨CROSS OF LORRAINE
U+2629☩CROSS OF JERUSALEM
U+2670♰WEST SYRIAC CROSS
U+2671♱EAST SYRIAC CROSS
U+2719✙OUTLINED GREEK CROSS
U+271A✚HEAVY GREEK CROSS
U+271B✛OPEN CENTRE CROSS
U+271C✜HEAVY OPEN CENTRE CROSS
U+271D✝LATIN CROSS
U+271E✞SHADOWED WHITE LATIN CROSS
U+271F✟OUTLINED LATIN CROSS
U+2720✠MALTESE CROSS
U+01F548🕈CELTIC CROSS
There are code points for other crosses in the block Miscellaneous Symbols and Pictographs, mainly variants of the Greek cross, but their usage may be limited by availability of a computer font that can display them.