How to Carve a Tau Cross
The symbol known as the Tau Cross is named that because it resembles the Greek letter Tau. It has also been called the Tav Cross, after the Hebrew letter Tav, and the Anticipatory Cross because it is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. It was also used by St. Francis as his personal symbol. You can carve an attractive wooden Tau Cross as an afternoon project.
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Things You'll Need
- 6 by 4 by 1/4 inch block of pine wood
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain
- Clamp
- Drill
- Eye screw
- Leather thong
Instructions
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1
Sketch the shape of the Tau on a 6 by 4 by 1/4-inch block of wood. Pine is easy to work with, but you could also use a fancier wood such as walnut. A traditional Tau is shaped like a letter T, but flaring out at the ends of the base and the crosspiece. The shape is similar to the silhouette of a hammer.
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2
Cut out the Tau with the saw.
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3
Sand the Tau until it is smooth. Round the edges so the Tau is thicker in the middle and narrower all around the sides. Do not sand so much that you compromise the shape of the cross.
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4
Color the wood with brush-on or spray-on wood stain, allowing it to dry between coats. Sand again lightly if necessary.
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5
Wrap the bottom of the Tau in a washcloth and place it in a clamp. Drill a small hole in the top of the Tau, and screw in the eye screw.
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6
Push the end of the leather thong through the eyelet, then tie the ends of the thong together to make a Tau Cross necklace.
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