Cross: Encyclopedia II - Cross - As emblems and symbols

Cross - As emblems and symbols

Also known as the Key of the Nile, the Looped Tau Cross, and the Ansated Cross. It was an Ancient Egyptian symbol of life. Sometimes given a Latin name if it appears in specifically Christian contexts, such as the crux ansata ("handled cross").

Also known as the Latin cross or crux ordinaria. It is the most common symbol of Christianity, intended to represent the redeeming martyrdom of Jesus when he is crucified on the True Cross in the New Testament.

A small circle from which emanate four branches of equal length, with angled T shapes in the corner, cross-pieces outward, representing the nails used in Jesus' crucifixion.

Also known as the crux immissa quadrata. Has all branches of equal length.

Free-standing Celtic crosses in Britain and Ireland, very common in churches and graveyards.

Constantine's Labarum is also known as a Chrismon, or monogram of the name Jesus Christ. Several other forms of Chrismons exist.

Used in heraldry. It is similar to a patriarchal cross, but usually has one bar near the bottom and one near the top, rather than having both near the top.

Used in ecclesiastical heraldry.

Similar to a Christian cross, but with an additional, smaller crossbar above the main one, and sometimes a short, slanted crosspiece near its foot.

Used as a symbol for medical care in most of the world, the Red Crescent being used in Islamic countries and the Magen David Adom in Israel.

A Latin cross with a superimposed sword, blade down. It is a symbol used by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the site of many war memorials.

Used in Scotland's national flag, it is also called the Saltire, the Boundary Cross (because it was used by the Romans as a barrier) and the crux decussata. Saint Andrew is believed to have suffered a martyr's death on such a cross, hence its name. The cross doesn't have to be at this particular angle to qualify as a saltire; the symbol X can also be considered a St. Andrew's Cross.

An upside-down Latin cross, based on a tradition that holds that Saint Peter was martyred by being crucified upside-down. Today it is often associated with anti-Christian or Satanic groups.

Not a cross as such, but a saltire made of bones, with an overlaid skull. Traditionally used by Freemasons, and was the battle flag of the Knights Templar fleet, later pirates. It was actually relatively rarely used by pirates, each ship having its own design, often involving an hourglass.

Used in the Russian Orthodox Church. The top line is said to represent the headboard, and the bottom, slanted line is thought to point up to Heaven and down to Hell. Some say that the upper side pointing to the right (according to Jesus' view from the Cross) indicates the repentant thief to whom Jesus promised Paradise, and the lower side pointing to the left indicates the thief who mocked Jesus. Others suggest that the bottom line represents the footrest, wrenched loose by Jesus' writhing in intense agony. The letters IC XC found at the end of the main arm of some Slavonic Crosses are a Christogram, representing the name of Jesus Christ.

Also known as the Sunwheel, solar cross or Odin's cross, because Odin's symbol in Norse mythology was a cross in a circle.

Also known as Saint Anthony's Cross, the Egyptian Cross and the crux commissa. It is shaped like the letter T. Francis of Assisi used it as his signature.

Also known as the Furka Cross. The fork, shaped like the letter Y.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "As emblems and symbols", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki