Bible Dictionaries
Cross
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
The most important of Catholic emblems, symbolizing the Church's holy faith and the redemption of mankind, because Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer, died on a cross. It is used on Catholic churches, schools, institutions, altars, vestments, etc., to indicate that they are consecrated to God's service; and, when blessed, either as a cross or a crucifix, it becomes a sacramental. Crosses were used among many nations for the execution of criminals; but nevertheless in certain regions they were held in religious honor because of their symbolism. The swastika was emblematic of the revolutions of the sun and consequently of life; and the Egyptian crux ansata (cross with a handle) was a symbol of the reproductive powers of Nature. There are many varieties of crosses including,
- ordinary form, called the Latin cross;
- anchor-cross
- archiepiscopal or patriarchal cross
- Celtic cross
- consecration cross
- cross croslet
- crux ansata
- episcopal cross or pectoral cross
- forked cross or croix fourchée
- Greek cross
- Maltese cross
- processional cross
- "ragged cross"
- reversed cross
- Saint Andrew's or saltire cross
- swastika
- Tau cross
- See also:
- cross bearer
- cross in hand
- cross in the Mass
- cross week
- Cross Mass
- crucifix
- veneration of the cross
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Bibliography Information
Entry for 'Cross'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ncd/​c/cross.html. 1910.