Different Catholic Cross Styles

A crucifix reminds Christians of Christ's sacrifice.

Catholic crosses come in all shapes and sizes, and nearly all of them have some type of special meaning or symbolism. Interestingly, some of these are directed toward specific branches of Catholicism, while others are meant for royalty and governments. The basic concept behind all of these crosses, however, is the base model of the cross as Christ, and added symbols intended to add meaning to this concept.

Crucifix

The most common of all Catholic crosses, the crucifix is used in most liturgical settings and can often be found on display in more private settings as a sacramental, or a physical symbol of a spiritual reality. The crucifix is marked by the body of Christ hanging from its crossbeam, a reminder of the sacrifice he offered in order to redeem sinners. There are many forms of crucifixes; of them, the most common variation includes an inscription above Christ's head as a reminder of his sacrifice. It reads "I.N.R.I." (Latin: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum), meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Celtic Cross

Another commonly seen type of Catholic Cross, the Celtic Cross, usually has four stems of equal length bordered or joined by a circle. When St. Patrick came to Ireland, he successfully incorporated many of their symbols of worship into Irish Catholicism, and though the Easter candle is the most important adaptation, the Celtic Cross is another example, where the pagan symbol of the sun merely has a cross drawn through it. The re-interpretation of the symbol is the eternal meaning of Christ's sacrifice.

Eastern Cross

In the Eastern Rite of Catholicism, the traditional cross of Eastern Christians is used. This cross has a smaller crossbar above the main one in order to symbolize the inscription above Christ's head, but it also has a slanted crossbar near the foot of the cross. This slanted bar marks the moment of Christ's death, giving a visual image of the footrest upon which he stood suddenly jerking out of position as He dies. Another tradition holds that the bar marks the contrast between the good and bad thieves at Christ's side during the crucifixion.

Globus Cruciger

Though rarely seen today, the globus cruciger was an important symbol of religious and political authority in the middle ages. The globus is essentially an orb topped with a cross, a symbol not only of Christ's authority over the world, but also a symbol of the Church's authority over governments. Monarchs of middle to early modern Europe were often painted holding a globus cruciger in order to mark their adherence to this belief.

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia: The Cross and Crucifix in Liturgy
• Celtic Cross
• The Eastern Cross
• "The Dictionary of the Middle Ages"; Frances L. Decker; 1989