This by far is my favorite cross of all of the different crosses out there.
I'm actually gonna get it tattooed on my back towards the end of this summer :).
Once I figure out the specific design and color I'll post it on here to show.
But if you don't know what one looks like, this is the most basic of Jersualem Crosses I could find:
I love the various meanings that people have believed it to hold just as much as the design of this cross:
"ANOTHER TAKE OF THE JERUSALEM CROSS
Recently Nancy and I purchased The Da Vinci Code, a novel by Dan Brown and published by Doubleday. This book has been at the top of the bestseller list in recent weeks.
The main character is Robert Langdon, a symbologist at Harvard. He is an expert in deciphering ancient symbols. It is a great mystery and once you have gotten into the book it is hard to put down.
One of the symbols he discusses is a cruciform. "…rather it was a square cross - with four arms of equal length - which predated Christianity by fifteen hundred years. This kind of cross carried none of the Christian connotations of the crucifixion associated with the longer-stemmed Latin Cross, originated by the Romans as a torture device. Langdon was always surprised how few Christians who gazed upon "the crucifix" realized their symbol's violent history was reflected in its very name: "cross" and "crucifix" came from the Latin verb cruciare - to torture.
"Sophie," he said, "all I can tell you is that equal-armed crosses like this one are considered peaceful crosses. Their square configuration make them impractical for use in crucifixion, and their balanced vertical and horizontal elements convey a natural union of male and female…"
Later in the book he again refers to the Jerusalem Cross: "The equal-armed cruciform was symbolic of balance and harmony but also of the Knights Templar. Everyone has seen the paintings of Knights Templar wearing white tunics emblazoned with red equal-armed crosses. Granted, the arms of the Templar cross were slightly flared at the ends, but they were still of equal length."
The book is worth reading if you like mysteries. It has been well researched and takes place in areas that those of you who have traveled internationally will recognize.
Our Jerusalem Cross
We've received 100+ new members since I wrote about this subject. I have done some additional research in order to answer some of their questions.
There are a number of answers as to the meaning of the Jerusalem Cross. They all seem to fit our use of it, particularly when keeping in mind our Mission Statement:
We welcome and honor all persons and nurture them on their spiritual journey with Christ.
Here are some of the legends:
1. The Jerusalem Cross was first used as a coat of arms for the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem. During the Crusades it was referred to as the "Crusaders Cross". The four small crosses are symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four-corners of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem. The large cross symbolizes the person of Christ.
2. This ancient Christian symbol is used in two ways. It shows Jesus as both the messenger and the message.
The central cross represents Christ. The four evangelists, represented by four smaller crosses, surround the central cross. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, is proclaimed through the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The central cross, surrounded by the four directions, represented by the four smaller crosses likewise represents the Gospel. The Gospel is proclaimed to the four-corners of the earth, north, south, east and west.
3. A powerful and mysterious cross with each branch closed by a "T" and surrounded by four simple crosses.
Some say that it evokes the five wounds of the crucified Jesus. Others claim that the main cross stands for Jerusalem as the center of the world while the angular crosses symbolize the four regions of the world.
Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims marveled at the presence of the Jerusalem Cross in every sanctuary in the Holy City. Impassioned by their faith they began a tradition of tattooing the cross on their arms as a sign and reminder of their successful pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
4. Godfrey de Boullion who became the first ruler of Jerusalem after it was captured from the Moslems in 1099 wore the Jerusalem Cross as his symbol.
The symbolism of the cross is explained in other various ways. Here are a few.
The cross is comprised of Greek and Tau crosses. Four Tau crosses meet in the center creating a Greek cross and making a total of five crosses. Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet and a Tau shaped cross sometimes has expanded ends and foot.
The symbolism of the crosses represent the five wounds of Jesus received on the cross. The large center one represents the wound in Jesus' side while the four smaller crosses represent the wounds he received in his hands and feet.
The five crosses represent the five nations active in the Crusades: Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The five crosses represent the five principalities of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
During the major redecoration of King Avenue, beginning in 1986, the committee undertook the selection of a design for the major focal point of our sanctuary. Numerous types of crosses were discussed but the Jerusalem Cross was selected because it represented the mission of "reaching out" of our church. The committee felt our message should go to the four-corners of the world. In addition to the symbolism of this cross it also visually fit the available space.
Tom Belcher, a member of King Avenue, an architect, designed the cross. It was hand built by a master craftsman. Tom personally applied the finish to the cross and hung it. The cross was a gift of the Robert Heber family and Clara J. Heber (Bob's mother) to King Avenue.
Tom was the driving force behind the redecoration. Items included refinishing the wood floors and carpet replacement, cleaning the stained glass windows, painting the walls and refinishing of the window frames as well as the stained glass window frames sills and all the woodwork from the kneeling rail to the back wall of the choir loft."
Haha, I'm itching with anticipation to get this tattoo, you guys.
I was also considering getting a lip piercing (a ring off to the corner of my mouth).
What do you think?
Much love and God bless,
-Alex
