Why do some crosses have two bars?

The middle bar was where Christ's hands were nailed. The lower bar is the foot-rest. According to the Russian Orthodox tradition the feet are depicted as being nailed not at one point but individually at the two sides of the footrest. The slanted line reminds us of the two thieves on both sides of the cross.

What does a cross with 2 bars mean?

A two-barred cross is used to symbolize checkmate.

Which cross has two horizontal bars?

The Cross of Lorraine (French: Croix de Lorraine), known as Cross of Anjou in the 16th century, is a heraldic two-barred cross, consisting of a vertical line crossed by two shorter horizontal bars.

Why is there a double cross?

Etymology. First recorded in 1834 from thieves' slang cross (or on the cross) to refer to something dishonest, a play on straight/square, and therefore a crook going back on his partners would be crossing the crossers, or double-crossing.

What is the cross with 3 lines?

The Russian Orthodox cross has three horizontal crossbeams, with the lowest one slanted downwards. Nowadays it is a symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church and a distinctive feature of the cultural landscape of Russia. Other names for the symbol include the Russian cross, and Slavonic or Suppedaneum cross.

The Russian orthodox cross/Eastern orthodox cross

Why does Orthodox cross have 3 bars?

One of them to the right of Christ ascended to Heaven, while the other one sank to Hell. Thus bottom bar of the cross is like the scale of justice and its points show the way to the Hell and Heaven. Another interesting fact is that the upper point of the slanted beam always show the way to the North.

What kind of cross has 4 equal sides?

The equal-armed cross, also referred to as the square cross, the balanced cross, and the peaceful cross, is a name for the Greek cross when this is found in ancient cultures, predating Christianity.

What does a Celtic cross look like?

The Celtic Cross is basically a Latin cross with a circle of light, or a halo intersecting it. This cross also known as the Irish cross or the cross of Iona is a famous Christian symbol that has its roots in paganism.

What is the meaning of reverse cross?

In Christianity, it is associated with the martyrdom of Peter the Apostle. The symbol originates from the Catholic tradition that when sentenced to death, Peter requested that his cross be upside down, as he felt unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

How many different crosses are there?

There are four basic types of iconographic representations of the cross: the crux quadrata, or Greek cross, with four equal arms; the crux immissa, or Latin cross, whose base stem is longer than the other three arms; the crux commissa, in the form of the Greek letter tau, sometimes called St.

What is a Byzantine cross?

Along with the Greek cross, it is the most common form. It represents the cross of Jesus' crucifixion. Byzantine cross. Upright cross with outwardly widening ends. It is often seen in relics from the late antique and early medieval Byzantine Empire (until c.

What is the Fleur de Lis cross?

In the 12th century the fleur-de-lis was the heraldic emblem of King Clovis I of France in 493 A.D. and was subsequently used by many other kings of France. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity.

What is the difference between the crucifix and a cross?

Both the cross and the crucifix are sacred Christian symbols used by the faithful for decoration as well to show their devotion to Jesus. A cross is just a T-shaped symbol whereas a crucifix is a cross with the sacred body of Jesus depicted over it.

How does Orthodox differ from Catholicism?

The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too, as human and thus subject to error. In this way, they are similar to Protestants, who also reject any notion of papal primacy.

Was Paul crucified upside down?

He was crucified upside down because he did not feel he was worthy enough to be crucified upright like Jesus Christ. He was buried in a burial ground near the Circus, where pagans had also been buried.

Does a sideways cross mean anything?

RELIGIOUS MEANING

Many people consider the sideways cross to be a symbol of Jesus achieving salvation of his people. When his work was finished, the cross had been laid down, and he no longer had to carry the weight of the cross. Others believe that the cross symbolizes one's choice to accept God and his teachings.

Was Peter really crucified upside down?

According to tradition, St. Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.

What does a circle around a cross mean?

A square cross interlocking with or surrounded by a circle is one of the most popular symbols used by individuals and organisations to represent white nationalism, white supremacy, Neo-Nazism, and white pride.

What does a cross with a circle at the bottom mean?

The ankh or key of life is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol used in Egyptian art and writing to represent the word for "life" and, by extension, as a symbol of life itself.

Is Celtic Irish or Scottish?

Today, the term 'Celtic' generally refers to the languages and cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany; also called the Celtic nations.

What does IC and XC mean on a cross?

On icons, this Christogram may be split: "ΙϹ" on the left of the image and "ΧϹ" on the right. It is sometimes rendered as "ΙϹ ΧϹ ΝΙΚΑ" (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς νικᾷ), meaning "Jesus Christ Conquers". "ΙϹΧϹ" may also be seen inscribed on the Ichthys.

What does a Latin cross look like?

A Latin cross or crux immissa is a type of cross in which the vertical beam sticks above the crossbeam, with the three upper arms either equally long or with the vertical topmost arm shorter than the two horizontal arms, and always with a much longer bottom arm.

What makes Orthodox Christianity different?

The Orthodox Church differs substantially from the other Churches in the way of life and worship, and in certain aspects of theology. The Holy Spirit is seen as present in and as the guide to the Church working through the whole body of the Church, as well as through priests and bishops.

Why do Orthodox cross from right to left?

This is how it is done: from above to below, and from the right to the left, because Christ descended from the heavens to the earth..." There are some variations: for example a person may first place the right hand in holy water.

Why is the Greek cross different?

The Greek cross, unlike its Latin counterpart was not meant to symbolize the cross Jesus died on, but the church itself—spreading the gospel to the North, South, East, and West, as well as the four platonic elements. As such, its lineage to the Pythagorian cross, as well as the Egyptian Ankh becomes very clear.