Maine Ghost Hunters – Blogs – Taphophile Corner

August 13, 2011 Posted by MGH-Windy in Features, MGH Member Blogs

Taphophile Corner - the Cross

The cross has been a powerful symbol for many ages, wars have been fought over them and people have died on them. Simply stated, the cross is typically two lines one over the other forming right angles.

The cross that most people picture when they think of a standard cross is known as the Latin cross. Two bars with a shorter bar 3/4 of the way up toward the top. This symbol goes back to our earliest days of human civilization and is today tied to many different religions. It is thought that the shape may have derived from the apparatus that was first used to kindle fires. A most important tool for early humans. Fire was as revered as the sun, and was an extremely important daily ritual for the sustaining of life.

Some of the earliest crosses were living crosses used by the Druids. A tree would be chosen and all branches but two would be removed, forming the shape of a cross. This living cross was also sometimes referred to as the Tree of Life and is even mentioned in the book of Genesis.

Another early use of the cross is found in Egyptian culture. This cross was the ansated cross or better known as the Ankh. This symbol is often seen in the hands of the Goddess Sekhet. It is the hieroglyphic symbol of life. Even today we follow cues from the Egyptians in our cemeteries. Most graves face west. In Egypt the living stayed on the east of the Nile and the dead were placed on lands west of the Nile. The Ankh is said to possibly symbolize the sun rising above the horizon, the bow and the bar. The bottom portion, or tail, of the cross would then represent the trajectory or path of the sun.

The Romans took a different approach in their use of the cross. They used it to punish dissidents through a terroristic process called Crucifixion. Crucifixion was usually intended to provide a death that was particularly slow, and painful (hence the term excruciating, literally "out of crucifying")

Note: If you come across what looks like an upside down cross, this is the cross of St. Peter who like Jesus, was crucified. Although the story goes that St. Peter asked to be crucified on his head, fore he did not feel he was worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

It is a wonder Christians ever adopted the cross as a symbol of their religion when so many were tortured and killed on the cross. During this time period the Ichthys, or fish symbol, was their preferred sign due to the fact that Jesus was a "fisher of men". Often one will see the letters INRI at the top of a crucifixion cross. This is Latin "Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaerum" or Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews. Another ancient Christian symbol was the Chi-Rho monogram, which looks like an X with an elongated P. This Greek symbol is seen here in the center of this Celtic cross.

The Celtic cross as well as the shamrock were both said to have been introduced to Ireland by St. Patrick. (The shamrock is a living symbol of the Trinity.) While trying to bring Christianity to the Irish pagans, St. Patrick combined the traditional Christian cross with the pagan sun cross. This was to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the idea of the life-giving properties of the sun which they revered. Celtic crosses tend to be elaborately decorated with knots and religious icons. Often times they tell quite a story!

The Canterbury cross Has rounded ends. The bars taper outward to a wider end. Often there is a square in the center. This cross almost looks like it was carved from a circle. While visiting the Canterbury Cathedral in England where this cross origionates from, I saw the grave of the Black Knight. ( Yes, he is real and not just in Monty Python movies!)

The Russian Orthodox cross Is very interesting, both in shape and in symbolism. This cross existed very early in Byzantium, and became popular in many Slavic countries. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus. The top bar represents the inscription over Jesus' head while the bottom bar – usually slanting – represents the foot rest.

The cross that is seen on both the flag of Scotland and the Confederate flag (as seen here on this cemetery flag holder from Alabama – picture by my husband) is known as the Saltire cross. Some refer to it as the cross of St. Andrew. Like Jesus, St. Andrew was martyred on the cross. This X was the shape of the cross used and since St Andrew was the Patron Saint of Scotland it has become the national symbol of that country. The confederate states added stars to their cross to represent the stated in the Confederacy.

There are many, many crosses around the world. I'll throw just a few more at you. Some you may have seen, like the Greek cross, which is the cross used by the Red Cross. Others are a little more regional or specific to a religious pratice.