Joshua Bennett
The sign of the cross is a sacramental gesture used by Christians to begin and end their prayers. The gesture is performed by tracing an upright cross on one's body with the right hand, from forehead to chest, and then from one shoulder to the other. While the Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics make the sign of the cross from right to left, Roman Catholics and Western Lutherans make the gesture from left to right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right to left |
| Hand movement | From forehead to chest, then from right shoulder to left shoulder |
| Fingers used | Thumb, forefinger, and middle finger |
| Symbolism of fingers | Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit |
| Other symbolism | Salvation, ascension, incarnation |
| Recitation | "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." |
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What You'll Learn
Eastern Orthodox Christians cross from right to left
Eastern Orthodox Christians cross themselves from right to left. This is different from Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans, who make the motion from left to right. The Eastern Orthodox method involves touching the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the right hand to the forehead, then moving them down to the abdomen or chest, and finally touching the front of both shoulders, right to left.
The direction of the cross is significant. The biblical meaning of "the left side" is different from "the right side". In the biblical worldview, the right side is good, noble, and heavenly, while the left is bad, low, and earthly. Thus, moving from right to left is seen as a symbol of incarnation, while moving from left to right symbolizes ascension.
The Eastern Orthodox method of making the sign of the cross is also associated with the Greek equal-armed cross. This is in contrast to the Western method, which reverses the order, going from forehead to chest and then from left to right across the shoulders.
The Eastern Orthodox Church considers the right-to-left motion to be the more ancient way of making the sign of the cross. However, some sources suggest that the left-to-right motion may predate the right-to-left signage, as seen in writings by Bar Salibi and other Syriac prose writers.
In addition to the direction of the cross, the placement of the fingers is also important. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the first three fingers are joined together, representing the Trinity, while the last two fingers are pressed against the palm, symbolizing the two natures of Jesus, divine and human.
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Western Catholics cross from left to right
The way in which Catholics perform the sign of the cross has been a topic of debate for centuries. While the Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Lutheran Church, and Eastern Catholics move their hands from right to left, Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans have made the motion from left to right.
The sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign that signifies spiritual effects obtained through the intercession of the Church. It is often accompanied by a prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer or "Lord have mercy." The movement involves tracing the shape of a cross in the air or on one's body, reflecting the traditional shape of the cross of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Western Catholics, also known as the Latin Church, have a unique way of performing the sign of the cross. They move their right hand from the forehead to the chest and then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder, going from left to right. This direction is said to symbolize the death of Christ on the cross and our salvation through his sacrifice.
The fingers are held in a specific way during the sign of the cross. In the Latin Rite, the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger are held together to represent the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The ring finger and pinky finger are bent downward against the palm, symbolizing the unity of human nature and divine nature, as well as the human will and divine will in the person of Christ.
While the direction and finger placement may vary between different Catholic traditions, the significance of the sign of the cross remains the same. It is a powerful gesture that invokes the Holy Trinity and reminds the faithful of the cross of salvation. Western Catholics, with their left-to-right motion, emphasize the journey from misery to glory, following in the footsteps of Christ's resurrection.
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The right side is referred to preferentially in scripture
The right side is generally associated with goodness, nobility, and heavenliness in the Bible. For instance, in John 21:6, Jesus instructs his disciples to cast their nets on the "right-hand side" of the boat, resulting in a large catch of fish. Similarly, in Acts 3:7, a man is raised up and his feet and ankles are strengthened when he is seized by the "right hand". The Bible also mentions God holding seven stars and a sharp two-edged sword in his "right hand" in Revelation 1:16-17.
In contrast, the "left" side is often associated with negativity and earthliness. This dichotomy between left and right is reflected in the biblical world-view, influencing the way Christians make the sign of the cross.
Eastern Orthodox Christians, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics make the sign of the cross by moving their right hand from right to left, symbolizing the traditional shape of the cross during the crucifixion of Jesus. This practice is supported by Pope Innocent III, who explained that the sign of the cross descends from heaven to earth, mirroring Christ's journey.
However, Western Catholics and Western Lutherans have adopted a different approach, moving their right hand from left to right when making the sign of the cross. This variation may have originated from attempts to imitate the blessing gestures of bishops and priests rather than intuitively mirroring the sign written in the air.
The direction of the cross is not the only differentiating factor between Eastern and Western practices. Eastern Christians touch their forehead, chest, and then move their hand from right to left, forming a Greek equal-armed cross. In contrast, Western Christians touch their forehead, chest, left shoulder, and then right shoulder, reversing the original order.
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The biblical meaning of the left side is different from the right side
The Bible uses the words "left" and "right" in several ways, including to denote position, direction, and symbolic representations. While the left side is generally associated with negative connotations, and the right with positive ones, the specific meanings vary depending on the context.
In the Bible, the left side is often associated with evil, while the right side is associated with righteousness and justice. For example, in Matthew 25:33, Jesus says, "He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." This passage illustrates the idea that those on the right will be saved, while those on the left will be accursed and sent to eternal fire. Similarly, in Ecclesiastes 10:2, it is said that "a wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but a foolish man's heart directs him toward the left." Here, wisdom is associated with the right, while foolishness is associated with the left.
The left side can also represent that which remains or is left behind. For example, in Genesis 7:23, it is said that God "blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth." Here, the word "left" signifies that nothing was left remaining on the earth after the flood.
The right side, on the other hand, can signify correctness or proper action. For example, in Mark 5:15, it is said that the people of Gerasene "came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had Legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind." Here, the word "right" signifies that the man was now thinking and acting correctly after being healed by Jesus.
In terms of direction, the right side is often associated with the east and the rising sun, while the left side is associated with the west and the setting sun. This association may contribute to the idea of the right being positive and the left being negative, as the east is often associated with new beginnings and birth, while the west is associated with death and endings.
Additionally, in ancient times, the left hand was considered unclean as it was used for wiping one's backside. As a result, it was considered rude to touch people or eat with the left hand. This may have further contributed to the negative connotations associated with the left side.
In the context of Catholicism, the direction of the sign of the cross has theological interpretations. Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross from right to left, while most Eastern Christians do it from left to right. This difference may symbolize ascension (from left to right) or incarnation (from right to left).
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Pope Innocent III explains the meaning of the cross
Pope Innocent III, born Lotario dei Conti di Segni (1160 or 1161 – 16 July 1216), was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1198 until his death. He was one of the most powerful and influential medieval popes, exerting a wide influence over the Christian states of Europe and claiming supremacy over all of Europe's kings.
Pope Innocent III explained the meaning of the cross in the context of its theological significance and the proper way to make the sign of the cross. According to him, the sign of the cross is made with three fingers because it represents the invocation of the Trinity. He stated:
> "This is how it is done: from above to below, and from the right to the left, because Christ descended from the heavens to the earth."
The meaning of the cross, as explained by Pope Innocent III, is deeply rooted in the Christian concept of the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ. The downward motion from right to left symbolizes Christ's descent from heaven to earth, echoing the biblical worldview where the right side is associated with goodness, nobility, and heavenliness, while the left signifies the opposite.
The direction of the sign of the cross has been a subject of debate within Christianity. Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans make the motion from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left. This variation in practice has led to different interpretations and symbolic meanings attached to the direction of the cross.
Pope Innocent III's explanation of the meaning of the cross and his interpretation of Christ's descent from heaven to earth provides a theological framework for understanding the significance of the sign of the cross in Christian tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans make the motion from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans and Eastern Catholics move from right to left.
There are several interpretations. One explanation is that making the sign from the left, the weak side, the side of sin, to the right, the side of salvation, would symbolise the death of Christ on the cross.
Yes, the right hand moves from top (forehead) to bottom (chest or stomach) and then from left (left shoulder) to right (right shoulder).
No, there are some variations. For example, a person may first place their right hand in holy water. Another variation is that after moving the hand from one shoulder to the other, it may be returned to the top of the stomach.
The three fingers express faith in the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
