Crosses - Zion Lutheran Church

Crosses and their Symbolic Meanings

Alpha and Omega - This Latin cross combined with the alpha and omega remind us that though Christ died on the cross for our sins, he now reigns in glory forever. "He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.'" - Revelation 21:6

Anchored - The anchored cross is a symbol which is shaped like a plus sign with anchor-like protrusions at the end of each arm, hence the name anchored cross. This cross can be used to symbolize the Christian's hope in Christ. Anchored crosses are occasionally a feature in coats of arms, in which context they are referred to by the heraldic terms "anchry" or "ancre." The picture here is a heraldic example. Alternatively, the anchored cross may take the form of an actual boat anchor. This cross was also the emblem of Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome; who, according to tradition, was tied to an anchor and tossed into the sea by the emperor Trajan.

Ansated - Also called the crux ansata (handled cross), this looped tau cross symbolizes life through Christ. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6

Baptismal - This Greek cross is superimposed on a Greek chi, the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. It forms a cross with eight arms. Since the number eight is symbolic of rebirth or regeneration, this cross is often used as a baptismal cross. "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." - Titus 3:5

Budded - This widely-used cross calls to mind the Holy Trinity because of its trefoil end caps. This cross is also called a bottony, botonny, or botonnee; meaning the shape of an architectural trefoil.

Byzantine - The Byzantine cross is generally used by the Greek Orthodox Church. The Byzantine Empire, of which Constantine was emperor, was the empire that brought widespread adoption of Christianity to Europe.

Calvary - The three steps leading up to this graded Latin cross represent the hill of Calvary; or, more often, faith, hope, and love. "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Celtic - One of the most ancient of cruciforms, this cross was used by the Celtic Christians in Great Britain and Ireland. This is also sometimes called the Irish cross, or the high cross.

Conqueror's - This Greek cross is complemented with the first and last letters of the Greek name for Jesus (IC), the first and last letters of the Greek word for Christ (XC), and the Greek word for Conqueror (NIKA). The short bars above the letters indicate that they are abbreviations. "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." - Romans 8:37

Coptic - 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. The Coptic Church, headquartered in Alexandria, shares the history and theology of the early church, in which Egypt played an important role.

Crosslet - A cross formed of four smaller crosses, this form represents the spreading of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. This ornamental version rests on a lattice forming four additional crosses. "Jesus said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" - Mark 16:15

Eastern - This form of the cross, also called a Slavonic cross, is used primarily in the Russian Orthodox Church. The upper bar represents the inscription, abbreviated INRI, that Pilate had placed above Jesus' head. The 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) 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. Another explanation is that the slanted bar forms Saint Andrew's cross. Saint Andrew is believed to have introduced Christianity to Russia.

Embattled - This heraldic cross calls to mind the battlements of a fortress or castle, and thus may be used as a symbol of the Church Militant (the church here on earth; as opposed to the Church Triumphant, or those who have gone to be with the Lord). This symbol is also known as a crenellee cross.

Fleur-de-Lis - A cross with the ends of the arms flory (fleury), having a shape somewhat like a fleur-de-lis (fleur-de-lys); this cross is a reminder of the Holy Trinity and of the Resurrection.

Fleurie - The liliform end caps of this cross remind us of the Holy Trinity.

Fourchee - This is heraldic cross, also called fourchy or fourche, which means "forked."

Greek - An ancient cruciform with arms of equal length. This cross is also known as the crux immissa quadrata.

Ionic - This form of the cross was taken by St. Columba to the island of Iona in the sixth century.

Jerusalem - This complex form is composed of a central cross made of four tau crosses representing the Old Testament law. The four smaller Greek crosses represent the fulfillment of the law in the Gospel of Christ. Others have interpreted it to represent the missionary work of the church, which is spreading the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. Still others have acknowledged the five crosses to represent the five wounds of Christ on the cross. This cross appeared on the coat-of-arms of Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem; and was embodied in the heraldry of the Crusaders. The Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem existed for almost two hundred years after the First Crusade. This cross is also known as the Crusaders' cross or fivefold cross.

Labarum - Constantine's Labarum is also known as a Christogram or Chrismon, a monogram of the name Jesus Christ. It consists of the superimposed Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P), often embroidered on altar paraments and clerical vestments. Often this symbol is referred to as a Chi-Rho. Several other forms of Christograms exist.

Latin - This most common of all cruciforms reminds us of the supreme sacrifice offered by Jesus for the sins of the world. The cross is empty to remind us of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. This cross is also known as the crux ordinaria.

Latin with Proclamation - The Latin letters INRI stand for the inscription that Pilate ordered placed on Jesus' cross: "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" - Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. This notice was also written in Aramaic and Greek, as we read in John 19:19-20.

Lorraine - This cross is generally 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.

Maltese - This cross has arms which narrow towards the center, and are indented at the ends. This makes an eight-pointed cross with no curved lines. The eight outer points of this cross are symbolic of regeneration, and are sometimes said to represent the eight beatitudes. The cross was the emblem of the Knights of St. John, who were driven from Rhodes to the island of Malta by the Turks. Malta is the island where St. Paul was shipwrecked.

Moline - In this type of cross, the ends of the arms are split and curved back. Hhe two points at the end of each arm remind us of the two natures of Christ - 100% man in order to die in our stead, and 100% God in order to keep the law perfectly so that His sacrifice would cover the sins of the world.

Natal - This cross is shaped like a star, reminding us of the story of Jesus' birth and foretelling the purpose for which he was born. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." - Revelation 22:16

Papal - This cross is the official emblem of the papal office, and is often used in ecclesiastical heraldry. The three bars are sometimes said to represent the three crosses on Calvary.

Passion - The pointed ends of this Latin cross represent the nails used to attach Christ to the cross, and the suffering of Christ at his crucifixion.

Patonce - A cross patonce is more or less an intermediate between a cross pattee and a cross flory, and is often used in heraldry. The liliform ends of this cross remind us of the Holy Trinity.

Patriarchal - This is an ecclesiastical cross that is often seen carried by the patriarchs in works of art. The upper bar represents the inscription placed on the cross by Pilate. It was adopted by cardinals and archbishops as a hierarchical distinction. In the Orthodox Church, a short, slanted crosspiece is placed near the foot of the cross.

Pattee - This cross is often confused with the Maltese cross. A cross pattee has arms narrowing towards the centre, but with non-indented ends. The lines of the arms are also curved, unlike the Maltese. This cross is sometimes referred to as an iron cross.

Pommee - The knobs, resembling apples, represent the fruits of the Christian life. Since knobs were used on pastoral staffs in ancient times as symbols of authority, this is sometimes referred to as the bishop's cross. "So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God." - Romans 7:4

Potent - This cross has a crossbar at the end of each of its arms, forming four separate tau crosses. "Potent" is an old word for a crutch, and is used in heraldic terminology to describe a T shape.		Quadrate - A cross with a square at the intersection point, which reminds us of the four Gospels going out to the four corners of the earth. The number four also represents earth, so this cross can signify the fact that Christ died on the cross to save this world from its sins.
Saint Andrew's - According to tradition, Saint Andrew felt unworthy to be crucified like his Lord, so he begged that his cross be made differently. It is a symbol of humility and suffering, and is sometimes referred to as the crux decussata. This cross is also called the saltire, the boundary cross, because it was used by the Romans as a barrier. The cross doesn't have to be at this particular angle to qualify as a saltire; the symbol X can also be considered a Saint Andrew's cross.		Saint Peter's - An upside-down Latin cross, based on the story that Saint Peter was martyred by being crucified upside-down. Like his brother Saint Andrew, Saint Peter felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ. This cross symbolizes humility and deep love for Christ as our Savior.
Tau - The tau cross, made from the Greek letter T, is the simplest of all crosses. It is often used as the cross of prophecy, or Old Testament cross, because it is the traditional sign that Israelites made with lamb's blood on their doorposts in Egypt on the night of Passover. A tau cross is often pictured as the pole on which Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness. This cross is also known as Saint Anthony's cross, the Egyptian cross, and the crux commissa. Francis of Assisi used it as his signature.		Triparted - A cross triple parted and fretted. In heraldry, it is interlaced. The triparted cross represents the Holy Trinity, and the twelve ends represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve disciples.
Triumphant - This cross symbolizes the final triumph and reign of Christ over the world. It is often used in Christian art atop the scepter of Jesus as He reigns in glory. This is also sometimes called the Cross of Victory or cross and orb. "Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:57		Voided - A cross voided throughout, also known as the gammadia, can be seen as a Greek cross with its centre lines removed, or as composed of four angles (L shapes) separated by a thin space. The name gammadia refers to its being made up of four shapes similar to a capital Greek letter gamma. This is the third letter of the Greek alphabet, which can symbolize the Holy Trinity. The four angles represent the four Gospels being spread to the four corners of the earth, and the voided lines show us that Christ left the cross to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the devil.