Cross - Definition and Overview

A Greek cross (all arms of equal length), straight and rotated by 45 degrees.

The bent cross or Swastika.

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars crossing each other at a 90° angle, dividing one or two of the lines in half. It is one of the most ancient human symbols and crosses are symbols of many religions.

Crosses as markings

• The Roman numeral for ten is X.
• The Chinese character for ten is 十 (see Chinese numerals).
• The dagger or obelus (†)
• The addition (or plus) sign (+) and the multiplication (or times) sign (×).

Crosses as emblems

• Any number of figures used in heraldry, eg.
  • Lorraine Cross
  • see heraldic cross
• The Papal cross used in ecclesiastical heraldry.
• Constantine's Labarum (also known as the monogram of Jesus Christ).
• The Red Cross as a symbol for medical care in most of the world, (the Red Crescent being used in Islamic countries).
• The Skull and crossbones.

Crosses as symbols

• The Christian cross identifies a Christian in most Christian groups and is a symbol for the Christian God (especially Jesus as a reminder of the redeeming sacrifice of the Crucifixion on the True Cross), or a Christian object or location in most Christianity groups.
• The High crosses of the free-standing Celtic crosses in Britain and Ireland.
• Odin's symbol in Norse mythology was a cross in a circle.
• The ancient Swastika (adopted later by the Nazi party).
• The Ancient Egyptian Ankh is also a type of cross, which is sometimes given a Latin name if it appears in specifically Christian contexts, as the Crux Ansata ("handled cross").

Crosses in flags

Several flags have Crosses, including all the nations of Scandinavia.

• Flag of Denmark (the Danebrogen)
• Flag of England
• Flag of Finland
• Flag of Greece
• Flag of Guernsey
• Flag of Iceland
• Flag of Malta
• Flag of Norway
• Flag of Scotland
• Flag of Sweden
• Flag of Switzerland
• Flag of the United Kingdom (the "Union Jack")
• Flag of Wallis and Futuna
• Saint Piran's Flag

The cross in heraldry

See heraldry.

Constellation

The Southern Cross is a constellation of the Southern Hemisphere.

See also

• Iron Cross
• Cross of Lorraine
• Knights Hospitaller
• Seal of the demons
• Demons and symbols

External links

• MSN Encarta (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761570847/Cross.html)
• The Columbia Encyclopedia (http://www.bartleby.com/65/cr/cross.html)