Michael Brooks
The Sign of the Cross is a Catholic tradition and a prayer, performed by joining the first three fingers, to symbolize the Holy Trinity, and putting the two other fingers in the palm. The sign is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead In the name of the Father or In nomine Patris in Latin; at the chest or stomach, and of the Son or et Filii; across the shoulders, and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost or et Spiritus Sancti; and finally: Amen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand | Right hand |
| Fingers | First three fingers together, last two fingers in the palm |
| Starting point | Forehead |
| Say | "In the name of the Father" |
| Move to | Chest |
| Say | "and of the Son" |
| Move to | Left shoulder |
| Say | "and of the Holy" |
| Move to | Right shoulder |
| Say | "Spirit" |
| End with | Bowed head |
| Direction | Left to right |
| Speed | Deliberate and slow to average speed |
| Prayer | "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 order of the cross: top to bottom, then left to right
In the Catholic tradition, the sign of the cross is a form of prayer. It is used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies, as well as to ask God to bless oneself. The motion is performed by joining the first three fingers, to symbolize the Holy Trinity, and placing the other two fingers in the palm.
The sign of the cross is made in the following order: Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead and say, "In the name of the Father". Bring your hand down to the centre of your chest and say, "and of the Son". Touch your left shoulder and say, "and of the Holy". Finally, touch your right shoulder and say, "Spirit".
The order is top to bottom, then left to right. This is the method followed by the Western Catholic Church, and it may also be performed in Protestant traditions, including most Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Some people place their left hand on their breast during the sign, and touch the right hand a little higher than it. It is also common in many Latin countries to make a small cross with the thumb and kiss it before saying "Amen".
The sign of the cross should always be deliberate and slow to average speed. It is not to be rushed or half-completed.
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The meaning of the left and right sides
The "sign of the cross" is a prayer gesture made by members of the Catholic Church. It is a weapon to fight the "devil" and is accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen".
There are different ways of making the sign of the cross, and the direction of the movement varies. 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.
The right side is considered good, noble, and heavenly in the biblical worldview, while the left side is seen as bad, low, and earthly. This interpretation is reflected in the English word "right," which has a positive connotation.
Some people believe that the correct way to make the sign of the cross is from right to left because that is how Jesus was nailed to the cross, and it acknowledges his sacrifice. Additionally, it is believed that Jesus was seated at the right hand of God, which gives the right side a preferential meaning.
The direction of the movement also has theological interpretations. Moving from left to right symbolizes ascension, while moving from right to left symbolizes incarnation. Thus, some people begin their prayers with the sign of the cross from right to left, inviting the Holy Spirit, and then make the sign of the cross from left to right after their prayers, symbolizing the ascension of their prayers.
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The prayer said while crossing yourself
Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The sign of the cross is a form of prayer in the Catholic tradition.
- Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead and say, "In the name of the Father..."
- Touch the center of your chest and say, "...and of the Son..."
- Touch the front of your left shoulder and say, "...and of the Holy..."
- Touch the front of your right shoulder and say, "...Spirit."
After touching your right shoulder, some people add "Amen" at the end of the prayer. You can place your hands together or drop them after saying "Amen."
It is important to note that the direction of the sign of the cross varies between different Christian traditions. Roman Catholics typically make the sign of the cross from top to bottom and then from left to right, while Eastern Christians often do it from top to bottom and then from right to left.
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The significance of the three fingers held together
The act of crossing oneself, or making the sign of the cross, is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. In the Catholic tradition, the sign of the cross is a form of prayer. As one makes the sign of the cross, they say, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," which symbolizes our belief in the Trinity.
The significance of holding three fingers together during the sign of the cross is deeply rooted in Catholic doctrine. The three fingers, held together and raised during the blessing, represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This gesture is observed in both Eastern and Western traditions, although it has fallen out of favour in the West (Roman Catholics) in recent decades.
In Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox iconography, Christ is often depicted with his right hand raised in blessing. This gesture is known as the "IC XC" sign, forming an abbreviation for the Greek words "Jesus Christ". The three fingers used to form the "I" and "X" symbolize the Trinity and the unity of God as three distinct persons.
The arrangement of the fingers during blessings and depictions of Christ also corresponds to the manner of anointing with oil during the ordination of priests. The fingers that are anointed with oil are then used by the priest to bless others with oil, symbolizing the transmission of divine grace.
The sign of the cross and the arrangement of the fingers are rich in symbolism and hold great significance in Catholic tradition and theology, reinforcing the belief in the Holy Trinity and the power of blessing and anointing.
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The history of the large and small signs of the cross
The sign of the cross is a ritual hand motion practised by most Christians, including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox, and Roman Catholics. The motion symbolizes the Cross of Calvary, where Christ first made the sign by hanging on the cross.
The History of the Small Sign of the Cross
The small sign of the cross has been documented in early Christianity, with Tertullian, an Ante-Nicene Church Father, writing in AD 204 about making the sign of the cross in daily life. By the 4th century, the small sign of the cross was applied to various parts of the body, including the forehead, lips, and chest. St. Jerome, who died in AD 420, mentions that the sign of the cross was made on the lips, and Prudentius, a Christian poet who died in AD 405, wrote about the sign being made on the chest. The small sign of the cross was also used by early Christians to identify themselves when they were persecuted and had to hide their faith.
The History of the Large Sign of the Cross
The large sign of the cross, also known as the "four-point movement," developed in the 6th century and was traced across the chest or in the air. The use of the large sign may have been popularized by opposition to the Monophysite heresy in the 7th and 8th centuries. Christians wanted to emphasize that Christ had two natures: divine and human. They began to make the large cross with two fingers to represent these two natures.
Variations in the Sign of the Cross
Over time, there have been variations in how the sign of the cross is made. In the 9th century, Christians in the East used three fingers to symbolize the Trinity, with the ring and little fingers folded back to represent Christ's two natures. In the 13th century, Pope Innocent III decreed that the sign of the cross should be made with three fingers from the forehead to the chest and from right to left. Later, the whole hand was used, and the direction changed to left to right.
The Significance of the Sign of the Cross
The sign of the cross is a powerful symbol and ritual for Christians. It is a prayer and a witness to their faith. When Catholics make the sign of the cross before beginning an activity, they elevate that activity and draw nearer to God. It is a reminder of their profession of faith and their belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Frequently asked questions
Touch your forehead with your fingertips and say, "In the name of the Father...". Then, touch your chest and say, "...and of the Son...". Next, touch your left shoulder and say, "...and of the Holy...". Finish by touching your right shoulder and say, "...Spirit".
The sign of the cross is a form of prayer and a weapon to fight the devil. It is also used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies.
The forehead symbolizes Heaven, the solar plexus (or top of the stomach) symbolizes the earth, and the shoulders symbolize the place and sign of power.
Yes, join the first three fingers to symbolize the Holy Trinity and put the remaining two fingers in your palm.
