A ROMAN emperor was preparing for battle and felt the need of help from the gods. As the story goes, he saw a bright light in the sky in the form of a cross and with it the words: “By this conquer.” Adopting the sign as the standard for his army, he went on to win a series of crucial victories that led to his becoming sole ruler of the Roman Empire in 324 C.E.

The hero of this famous story was Constantine the Great. From that time on, the Roman Church became the official religion of the empire and grew rapidly in prestige, popularity and power. At the same time, the cross became the official symbol of the church​—it gradually adorned religious buildings, was erected on hilltops and mountains, at crossroads and in public squares. It was hung on the walls of homes and around the necks of millions of people.

Variety and Origin

Actually there are many different types of crosses, a few of which are shown here. The one most used by churches today is the Latin cross, since it is believed to be the shape of the executional instrument on which Jesus Christ died an agonizing death. Although a literal cross is often used in many religious rites and ceremonies, at other times what is done is simply to make the sign of the cross by moving one’s finger or hand so as to outline a cross.

However, the use of the cross as a religious symbol goes back much further than the time of Christ and is thus of non-Christian origin. An example is its use in India in ancient times. There, in the Cave of Elephanta, a cross can be seen over the head of a figure engaged in massacring infants. In another ancient Indian painting the god Krishna is represented with six arms, three of which are holding a cross.

When the Spanish conquistadores took over parts of the Americas, they were surprised to find religious crosses in many places. Writes author Baring-Gould in his book Curious Myths of the Middle Ages: “In the state of Oaxaca [Mexico], the Spaniards found that wooden crosses were erected as sacred symbols . . . In South America, the same sign was considered symbolical and sacred. It was revered in Paraguay. In Peru the Incas honoured a cross made out of a single piece of jasper . . . Among the Muyscas at Cumana the cross . . . was believed to be endued with power to drive away evil spirits; consequently new-born children were placed under the sign.”

Likewise, in other parts of the world, the cross has been revered from ancient times and credited with mystic powers. Observes the Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature: “The sign of the cross is found as a holy symbol among several ancient nations, who may accordingly be named . . . devotees of the cross. . . . The symbol of the cross appears to have been most various in its significations. Sometimes it is the Phallus [used in sex worship], sometimes the planet Venus.”

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Papal cross

Latin cross

Crux simplex, or stake

Greek cross

Saint Andrew’s cross

Celtic cross

Ankh, or Egyptian cross

Maltese cross

Tau