Prayerbook, The Bible, Crosses and Crucifixion, Other Examples of Crosses

1. Passion Cross

Ends pointed, like the nails of the passion.

2. Budded Cross

Trefoil ends (for the Trinity); often topping a Christian Flagpole.

3. Crux Gemmata (jeweled cross)

Suggesting a living tree, flourishing with leaf and flower.

4. Calvary Cross, Graded Cross

Steps (grises) represent faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

5. Anchor Cross

Seen in catacombs; Egyptian in origin; a concealed cross (Hebrews 6:19)

6. Cross of Triumph, Cross of Victory, Cross of Conquest

The orb was originally a separate symbol (though with vertical line running down from horizontal). The segments of the orb represented Asia, Africa, and Europe. In early Christian art, Christ was pictured holding this orb. Later it was altered to a ball with a cross upon it, to represent the sovereignty of the spiritual over the temporal.

7. Celtic Cross, Cross of Iona

Taken by Columba to Isle of Iona, sixth century; circle represents eternity.

8. St. Peter's Cross

Represents his martyrdom.

9. Patriarchal Cross, Archepiscopal Cross

Part of heraldic arms of an archbishop, carried before him in procession.

10. Papal Cross, Triple Cross of the Western Peoples

The two upper bars represent the two crucified with Jesus.

11. Russian Cross, Eastern Cross

Cross of Russian Orthodox Church; footrest either slant or straight; upper bar represents the inscription; the cross of early Christianity.

12. Cross of the Lorraine

Lorraine was medieval kingdom in Western Europe along the Moselle, Meuse, and Rhine Rivers.

13. Egyptian Cross, Crux Ansata ("having a handle")

Key of the Nile; Ankh ("life"); sign of immortality; predates Christianity.

14. Cross Crosslet, Holy Cross, German Cross

Composed of four Latin crosses; symbolizes evangelization.

15. Potent Cross (French: potence, crutch)

Composed of four Tau crosses; its name and symbolism (healing) comes from the resemblance of each cross to the top of an old-fashioned crutch.

16. Jerusalem Cross, Crusader's Cross

Composed of four Tau crosses and four Greek crosses; symbolizes both Christ's five wounds and evangelization (earth's four corners).

17. Voided Cross, Gammadia (because of its four gammas, the letter "g" in Greek)

18. Fylfot Cross, Swastika (Sanskrit; good fortune)

Gammadion charm (Greek capital gammas), to dispel evil; Hitler's Nazi, Germany.

THE WOOD OF THE CROSS

The Wood of the Cross

The crucifixion has been a most fertile soil for the growth of legends and customs, as they germinate in the mystique of the cross. One says that the Savior's cross was constructed from four different woods; palm, cedar, cypress, and olive, representing the four corners of the earth.

Here are some other:

The Quaking Aspen

The leaf of the aspen trembles, it is said, because of the tree's horror and shame. It is the tree that furnished the wood for the Lord's cross. As a matter of fact, the leaf stem of the "trembling poplar" is flat, which gives the tree a unique sound in a slight breeze.

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

In the days before the crucifixion of Christ, legend has it, the dogwood tree matched the oak in stature and strength. Because of these qualities, it was chosen to provide the wood of the cross. This cruel purpose greatly distressed the noble dogwood. Sensing this sympathy, Jesus smiled upon the tree. He transformed it into a slender, twisted shrub, so that it could never again be used ignobly. Escaping destruction, the dogwood would be cherished as a reminder of the Savior's sacrifice. Furthermore, he designed its blossoms to be in the form of a cross, with two long petals and two short, each bearing nail prints, brown with rust and stained with blood. At the flower's center he enshrined an image of his crown of thorns.

Hollywood

Holly has had a host of holy associations. There are stories about its Christmas symbolism. There is also the story that the holly, like the dogwood, was once a full-sized tree, but now allowed to grow no larger than a shrub, for its role in the crucifixion. In this story, holly's stature is deemed a punishment, whereas that of the dogwood is called a protection and a sign of our Savior's sacrifice.