How to Identify Crosses
The cross is a symbol that Christians everywhere recognize and implement as an integral part of their faith. Jesus' resurrection, after his death upon the cross, has continued to inspire the faithful more than 2,000 years later. As such, many Christians choose to wear a cross or crucifix as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made and his triumph over death. The appearance of the cross varies from one region of the world to another. When you learn the attributes of the various crosses, it becomes easier to identify them.
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A crucifix offers a realisic portrayal of Jesus' death by crucifixion. Recognize a crucifix -- a cross with a likeness of the corpus of Christ on it -- easily, because it is the only cross with Jesus on it. This variation of the cross is important to the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox religions because it allows members to focus on the sacrifice of Christ.
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The Celtic cross is commonly found in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Identify the Celtic cross, also known as a high cross, by locating the circle that encompasses the four points. This ornamental cross has been commonly used for centuries in the British Isles.
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Recognize the Jerusalem cross, also called the Crusader's cross, by it's plus-sign appearance. The horizontal and vertical bars on this cross are of equal length with a T-bar at the end of each point. Four smaller crosses fill the spaces around the larger cross for a total of five crosses.
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The St. George flag pays tribute to England's patron saint. Identify the cross of St. George by its white background and red cross. This cross is commonly portrayed on flags and medals in the United Kingdom. It was brought back to England by crusaders returning from abroad in the 12th century.
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The Byzantine cross is easily recognizable with three crossbars. Recognize the Byzantine cross by counting the crossbars on it. This cross, also known as the Eastern Orthodox cross, has a small crossbar toward the top, a wider one just beneath the smaller one and a sloping crossbar at the bottom.
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References
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