Different forms of our Christian Cross

Our Christian Cross



The Christian cross is a representation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity. It is related to the crucifix (a cross that includes a usually three-dimensional representation of Jesus' body) and to the more general family of cross symbols.



Occitan cross:
Based on the counts of Toulouse's traditional coat of arms, it soon became the symbol of Occitania as a whole.

Tau cross:
A T-shaped cross. Also called the Saint Anthony's cross and crux commissa.

Patriarchal cross:
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' cross. Similar to the Cross of Lorraine, though in the original version of the latter, the bottom arm is lower. The Eastern Orthodox cross adds a slanted bar near the foot.

Gold pectoral cross from Italy or subalpine regions



Calvary cross:
Either a stepped cross (see below), or a Gothic-style cross mounted on a base shaped to resemble Calvary (the place where Christ was crucified, pictured as a hill), with the Virgin Mary and Saint John on either the base or crossarms.

Andrew cross

Rood:
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

Processional cross:
Used to lead religious processions; sometimes, after the procession it is placed behind the altar to serve as an altar cross.

Celtic Cross:
Essentially a Latin cross, with a circle enclosing the intersection of the upright and crossbar, as in the standing High crosses.

Coptic cross:
The original Coptic cross has its origin in the Coptic ankh.

Gnostic cross:
Cross used by the early Gnostic sects.

Peter 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.



Jerusalem Cross:
Also known as the Crusader's Cross. A large cross with a smaller cross in each of its angles. It was used as a symbol of the Crusaders who fought against the Islamic forces.



Stepped cross:
A cross resting on a base with three steps, also called a graded or a Calvary cross.

Saltire or crux decussata
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.

Saint Thomas Cross:
The ancient cross used by the Syrian Malabar Nasrani community of Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala, India

Grapevine cross:
Also known as the cross of Saint Nino of Cappadocia, who christianised Georgia.

Marian Cross:
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.

Patriarchal cross

Tau cross:
A T-shaped cross. Also called the Saint Anthony's cross and crux commissa.

The lit Cross of All Nations during the inauguration ceremony
Location Baskinta, Lebanon
Material Steel, concrete
Width 37 meters
Height 73.8 meters
Dedicated to Commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Altar cross:
An Altar Crucifix or Altar Cross is a cross placed upon an altar, and is the principal ornament of the altar

Greek cross

Maltese cross:
A Greek cross with arms that taper into the center. The outer ends may be forked.

Crux pattée:
A Greek cross with flared ends.

Cross crosslet:
This heraldic cross is made from four Latin Crosses arranged at right-angles to each other, with their tops pointing north, south, east and west, traditionally thought to represent the message of the cross going out to the four corners of the earth. The Cross crosslet, like the Jerusalem Cross, is a symbol for world evangelism of the Gospels, which gives an alternative name: Mission Cross. Another common interpretation is that it represents the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Crux fourchette:
A cross with flared or forked ends (see illustration at Crosses in Heraldry).

Globus cruciger:
Globe cross. An orb surmounted by a cross; used in royal regalia.

Memorial cross:
A memorial cross (sometimes called an intending cross) is a cross, which was built as memorial to commemorate a special event; or it may be a simple form of headstone to commemorate the dead.

Cross of Sacrifice or War Cross

Rose Cross:
A cross with a rose blooming at the center. The central symbol to all groups embracing the Esoteric Christian philosophy of the Rosicrucians.

Canterbury cross:
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.

Armenian cross-stone (Khachkar):
A khachkar (cross-stone) is a popular symbol of Armenians.

Blessing cross:
A Blessing Cross is a hand cross held by a priest or bishop in Eastern Christianity when he gives a benediction. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned with enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones. It may also have other icons on it, such as the Theotokos (Mother of God), John the Baptist, the Four Evangelists or Prophets.

Pectoral cross:
A large cross worn in front of the chest (in Latin, pectus) by clergy.

Crux gemmata:
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.