Ethan Walker
The sign of the cross is a common practice among Catholics, who touch their forehead, lips, chest or belly, and shoulders. This practice is an acknowledgment of God's presence, favour, and protection, and a prayer for deliverance from evil. While the right hand typically moves from the forehead to the chest and then from the left to the right shoulder, some Catholics perform the sign in the opposite direction, mirroring the bishop or priest's blessing gesture. This variation has sparked debates within the Catholic community, with some preferring to adhere to the traditional way. The sign of the cross is often accompanied by a prayer, such as In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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What You'll Learn
- The sign of the cross is a profession of faith and acknowledgement of God's presence
- The typical Western way is to move the hand from left to right
- The Eastern way is from right to left
- The biblical meaning of the left side is different from the right side
- The sign of the cross is made at the forehead, lips, chest, and shoulders
The sign of the cross is a profession of faith and acknowledgement of God's presence
The sign of the cross is a practice common among Christians, especially those of Catholic upbringing. It involves touching the forehead, lips, chest or belly, and shoulders. The act symbolises a profession of faith and acknowledgement of God's presence, favour, and protection.
The Bible says, "by the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, you who is Our God, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." This prayer is recited as individuals touch their forehead, lips, and chest or belly, and finally make a big cross from their head to their chest or belly and then across their shoulders.
The sign of the cross is an outward act to profess inward faith in the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The cross itself is a sign of redemption in and through Jesus Christ. When Christians make the sign of the cross, they are declaring that they belong to God through their baptism.
Additionally, each part of the body that is touched during the sign of the cross holds a specific meaning. Crossing the forehead symbolises a desire to have the Word of God in one's thoughts and to purify the mind. Crossing the lips is done so that speech may be holy, and individuals are inclined to share the Gospel with others. Finally, crossing the heart invites God to strengthen one's love for Him and others, fostering a deeper communion with Jesus Christ.
The direction in which the sign of the cross is made also holds significance. In Western Catholicism, the movement is typically from the left shoulder to the right shoulder, while Eastern Christians often perform the sign in the opposite direction, from right to left. The biblical meaning of "the left side" differs from "the right side," with the right side representing goodness, nobility, and heaven, and the left side symbolising the opposite. Thus, the direction of the sign of the cross can carry symbolic meanings of ascension or incarnation.
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The typical Western way is to move the hand from left to right
The Sign of the Cross is a common practice among Catholics and other Christians, especially during prayer and worship. It is a way to profess faith in the Trinity and acknowledge God's presence, favour, and protection.
While the specific placement of the hand during the sign of the cross may vary, the typical Western way is to move the hand from left to right. This practice is believed to have originated around 1190 when a Roman deacon, who later became Pope Innocence III, witnessed people in Rome making the sign from left to right. This new practice reflected the blessing given by a bishop, which typically goes from left to right.
In the Western way, the right hand typically starts at the forehead, representing the Father, then moves down to the belly or chest, representing the Son, and finally goes from the left shoulder to the right shoulder, representing the Holy Spirit. This movement forms a cross over the believer's body.
Some Catholics may incorporate specific finger placements during the sign of the cross. For example, using the thumb, pointer, and middle finger together, while the ring and pinky fingers touch the palm. This finger placement can add symbolic meaning to the already meaningful act.
The act of crossing oneself is not just a physical movement but also a spiritual one. It is meant to be deliberate and slow, allowing the individual to focus on their faith and connection to God.
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The Eastern way is from right to left
The Eastern way of making the sign of the cross is from right to left, with the right hand moving from the forehead to the chest and then from the right shoulder to the left shoulder. This practice has been observed by Eastern Christians, including those in the Byzantine Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The right-to-left direction is significant as it symbolizes the incarnation, with the right side representing righteousness and honour in the Scriptures. This interpretation is supported by various biblical references, such as the Queen of Heaven "standing on the right hand, clothed in a vesture wrought with gold and diverse colours" (Psalm 44:10) and Jesus "sitting at the right hand of the Father" (Romans 8:34).
In contrast, the left side is associated with sin and salvation in Christian theology. By moving from right to left, the act of making the sign of the cross reflects the idea of salvation passing from the Jews, who were at the right side of God, to the Gentiles at his left. This interpretation highlights the inclusive nature of salvation offered through Christ.
Additionally, the Eastern way of crossing may also be related to finger formation and the position of the second gesture. For instance, in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the thumb and the first two fingers of the right hand are joined, while the other two fingers are folded over the palm, symbolizing the Trinity and the two natures of Jesus Christ.
The Eastern practice of making the sign of the cross from right to left is deeply rooted in tradition and theology, with ancient icons depicting Christ and bishops beginning blessings from right to left. This direction of crossing continues to be observed by Eastern Christians as a meaningful expression of their faith.
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The biblical meaning of the left side is different from the right side
In Catholicism, the sign of the cross is a prayer: "by the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, you who is Our God, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit. Amen". This prayer is said while touching the forehead, lips, chest or belly, and finally making a large cross from head to chest or belly, and then out to both shoulders.
However, the left side is not always associated with negative meanings. In Judges 3:15-21, Ehud is left-handed and uses his left hand to draw a sword from his right side to assassinate the Moabite king, Eglon. Here, the left hand is associated with skill and cunning, while the right hand is associated with weakness and vulnerability.
The right hand is typically the dominant hand, and throughout history, left-handed people have often been viewed with suspicion. In pre-TP history, the left hand was used to wipe one's bottom, and even today, in many parts of the Middle East and Asia, this is still the case. This may have contributed to the cultural idea of the left being unclean or negative.
The direction in which the sign of the cross is made may also have significance. Roman Catholics typically make the sign of the cross from right to left, while Eastern Christians go from left to right. This difference may reflect the biblical meanings of the left and right sides, with the movement from right to left being a symbol of ascension, and from left to right being a symbol of incarnation.
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The sign of the cross is made at the forehead, lips, chest, and shoulders
The sign of the cross is a common practice among Catholics and is a profession of faith in the religion's central mysteries, expressing the unity and Trinity of God. The act is performed by touching the forehead, lips, chest, and shoulders.
When making the sign of the cross, Catholics use their right hand, touching their forehead, then the place between the chest and belly, and finally the shoulders, with the right fingers ending on the left shoulder. This movement is seen as a symbol of spiritual development, with the cramped position of the right shoulder opening out to a wide position on the left.
The sign of the cross is often made during prayer and worship, with the act seen as an acknowledgment of God's presence, favour, and protection. It is also used to profess faith in the Trinity, with the three points of contact representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The specific points of contact during the sign of the cross also hold symbolic significance. The forehead is touched so that the Word of God may be in one's thoughts and purify the mind. The lips are touched so that speech may be holy and encourage the sharing of the Gospel. Finally, the heart is touched to invite God to strengthen one's love for Him and others, bringing one closer to Jesus Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics make the sign of the cross by touching their forehead, lips/chest, and then their shoulders. The right hand moves from the top (forehead) to the bottom (chest) and then from left (left shoulder) to right (right shoulder).
Catholics believe that making the sign of the cross is an expression of belief in the Trinity and an acknowledgment of God's presence, favour, and protection.
Touching the forehead is done so that the Word of God may be in one's thoughts and to purify the mind. Touching the lips is done so that one's speech may be holy and to incline one to share the Gospel with others. Touching the chest/heart is done to invite God to strengthen one's love for Him and others.
While the typical Western way of making the sign of the cross is from left to right, some Catholics continue to make the sign from right to left.
Catholics are taught to begin their day, their prayers, and their activities with the sign of the cross. It is also made during prayer and worship activities, and before reading the Gospel at Mass.
