There are many classic elements that are widely used in jewelry, including the cross. When talking about the cross, the first thing that comes to mind is Christianity and Jesus. The cross is the most important symbol of Christianity. But do you know the origin of the cross and why it became so popular with the people?
The cross is derived from the Latin word cmx, which means a figure made of two or more intersecting lines, resembling the Chinese character "十", hence the name "cross". The earliest crucifixion was an ancient instrument of execution that originated with the Madaeans and Persians and later became popular in the Persian Empire, the Kingdom of Damascus, the Kingdom of Judea, the Kingdom of Israel, and was also used by the Greeks and Romans. Crucifixion was a very cruel punishment, and its cruelty lay in the long and profound suffering inflicted on the prisoner during the execution.
According to the Bible, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas, arrested by the Jewish priests, then sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be tried and finally sentenced to death. And was crucified. Jesus rose on the third day after his death on the cross and ascended to heaven forty days after his resurrection. The Bible says that Jesus' crucifixion was for the salvation of the world. That is why later generations have used the cross as a symbol to honor Jesus and as a way to increase the conversion and worship of believers.
In fact, the cross did not quickly become a symbol of the Christian faith after the crucifixion. According to F. Schuster's (History of the Quaker Church, 1897), "Christians in the first century A.D. used neither crucifixes nor crosses of any kind. This is because the Christians of that time considered the cross to be a symbol of painful shame because of the crucifixion of Jesus. The introduction of the cross into Christianity as a symbol of faith began with the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. According to legend. One night during the war between Constantine and his political opponent Maxentius, he saw a vision, an image of a cross appearing directly on a sun, and a voice saying, use this as a sign and you will surely overcome. When he met with Maxentius with this banner, he was indeed victorious. So Juntan was converted to Christianity. Imperial battle banners, soldiers' shields and many other objects were adorned with crosses. With the development of Christianity, the cross has also changed. In the 5th and 6th centuries, images of the crucifixion of Jesus appeared: the crucifixion of Jesus in clothes, with a crown on his head and his hands hanging freely. Since then, the cross has become a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus and an object of worship with considerable magical power. Later, the cross became a symbol of the Christian faith, both in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and in various Protestant denominations after the Reformation.
There are many different types of crosses as they spread and evolve.
Budded Cross
The budded cross has many variations. The cross can be identified by the round buds at the end of each crossbar, top and bottom. Some budded crosses have crossbars of different lengths, while others have crossbars of the same length. Each different design has a slightly different meaning.
For example, a budded cross has three round buds at the end of each crossbar. These three buds symbolize the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In some varieties, the buds may suggest a growing and flourishing faith. If the wearer is particularly attached to the Trinity or likes more elaborate jewelry designs, a button cross is a good option.
Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross, shaped like a cross topped with a circle, is the symbol of the Celtic Church, and contains the belief in stones in Celtic culture, as well as a symbol of worship for the Nordic peoples, who have a tradition of worshiping stones as sacred objects in folklore. Later, as a result of the combination of Celtic and Christianity, the uniquely shaped Celtic Cross was formed. The circle of the Celtic Cross, symbolizing eternal life. The circle in Christian culture is combined with the cross to represent the sky and the earth.
This Celtic cross pendant maintains its shape by adding elements of natural stone, and blue gemstones add highlights to the cross.
Latin Cross
The Latin cross is the most common type of Christian cross. It consists of two beams, one long and one short. The vertical one is longer than the horizontal one. The vertical one symbolizes the kingdom of God, the horizontal one symbolizes the earthly one, and the intersection of the two symbolizes the unity of heaven and earth.
This minimalist bracelet is connected and decorated with a Latin cross, reflecting the principle that less is more for the perfect decorative effect.
Cross of Lorraine
The Cross of Lorraine is also known as the Double Cross. The Lorraine Cross was used by Joan of Arc, the national hero of France, during the Anglo-French War. That is why it often symbolizes freedom.
Conclusion
When we understand the history and types of crosses we can conclude that cross jewelry is popular because people commit their faith to it. Different crosses represent different meanings and beliefs. What kind of cross jewelry do you like the most?