The Cross
The cross sign, in its simplest form as two intersecting lines which are perpendicular to one another, has been found in numerous cultures throughout the world. Cross usage predates the written word, taking us back to the early cultural development of humankind. From Africa to China, to Greece and the New World, before the European conquest, the cross has been used to symbolize various things among which include: fertility, life, the stars and Sun, immortality and the link of Earth to the Heavens. Though widely observed and implemented, the cross, in today's Western context, often refers to Christianity, and is often seen on church tops.
The Christian cross is a symbolic representation of the crucifixion of Jesus. The crucifix is a cross with a figurine depiction of the body of Jesus, also referred to as the Corpus. This symbol is used in the Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Churches, placing emphasis on Christ's sacrifice. The cross is the key symbol in Christianity.
The cross can take on various forms. The most common of the crosses is the Latin cross, empty, favoured by the Protestants. The Eastern Orthodox cross is like the Latin cross with the addition of two extra horizontal bars, one above and one below. The top bar represents the headboard and the bottom bar, slanted, represents the footrest. In addition this cross often contains the Christogram, IC XC, representing the name Jesus Christ. Other notable crosses include the ancient Greek cross, consisting of arms of equal length, the Celtic cross, having a circle around the cross bar and the baptismal cross, consisting of eight points (a Greek cross with an an X) which symbolizes regeneration.
Crosses dominate the Christian cemetery landscape, often as sculpted headstones or engravings in gravestones. Notable crosses have been erected on mountaintops including the cross on Mount Royal, Montreal, Canada, and the Millenium Cross on Mount Vodno, Skopje, Macedonia.
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