The Cross

Though there are several rich symbols associated with the religion of Christianity, the most recognizable and famous symbol known worldwide is the cross. The cross was initially a pagan spiritual symbol (long before the Christian era), and was later adapted by Christians to symbolize sacrifice and redemption.

It was in the 4^th century that Roman Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity as the official Roman religion and abolished the painful Roman execution method of crucifixion - which was applied to Jesus Christ - to promote the cross as a symbol of the Son of God. Jesus was said to have carried His own cross to which His hands and feet were bound and nailed; after His crucifixion, the cross took on a whole new and powerful representation as the cross that Jesus was crucified upon. The cross, in Christian context, is a reminder of the selfless sacrifice Jesus made for the redemption of humanity’s sins.

Today, there are many different variations of crosses, each with different meaning or representation. The most common variations are the Latin cross, Greek cross, and the crucifix. Moreover, this powerful symbol is depicted in many paintings, statues, and artifacts around the world to represent the faith of Christianity.

The Latin Cross

The Crucifix

The cross is also used by many denominations as a gesture during prayer by touching the forehead, chest, left shoulder then right shoulder with the right hand (sign of the cross) while repeating, “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. This gesture is a representation to profess faith, belief, and dedication to the trinity.