Michael Brooks
The sign of the cross is a ritual blessing and prayer in Christianity. It is a significant prayer for Christians as they are acknowledging their belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross can be traced back to early Christianity, with the third-century treatise Apostolic Tradition directing that it be used during the minor exorcism of baptism. There are three variants of the sign of the cross: a large sign made across the body, a small sign traced on the forehead or objects, and a lesser sign made over the forehead, lips, and heart. Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross by moving their right hand from forehead to chest, and then from left shoulder to right shoulder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction | Left to right or right to left |
| Hand Position | Three fingers up and touching, last two down or all five fingers extended |
| Order | Forehead, chest, left shoulder, right shoulder or forehead, chest, both shoulders |
| Symbolism | Acknowledging belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit |
| Other | Some end with a kiss on the cross made with the thumb |
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What You'll Learn
The direction of the sign
One common method is to move the hand from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is the typical Western way, with the right hand moving from top to bottom and then from left to right. This practice is said to have originated around 1190 when a Roman deacon, who later became Pope Innocence III, witnessed people in Rome making the sign in this direction. The mirror effect of the bishop's or priest's blessing sign, which goes from right to left, may also be a reason for this direction.
Another way to make the sign of the cross is to go from right to left. This method is often associated with Eastern Christians, and it involves moving the hand from top to bottom and then from right to left. Theologically, the biblical meaning of "the left side" and "the right side" can be interpreted differently. In the biblical worldview, the right side is often associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, while the left side represents badness, lowness, and earthliness. Thus, the direction of the sign can symbolically represent ascension (from left to right) or incarnation (from right to left).
Some Catholics may also incorporate specific finger formations during the sign of the cross. For example, extending all five fingers can represent the five wounds of Jesus Christ. Alternatively, keeping the middle and ring fingers together while touching the thumb, index, and pinky fingers together can represent the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The direction and finger formation used during the sign of the cross may vary among individuals and regions. Ultimately, the significance lies in the acknowledgment of one's belief in the Holy Trinity through this ritual blessing.
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The hand and finger position
The sign of the cross is made by touching the fingertips to the forehead, moving the hand down to the chest or stomach, and then touching the left and right shoulders. Some Catholics make the sign from left to right, while others go from right to left. The direction may depend on personal preference, mirroring the priest or bishop, or cultural and theological interpretations. For example, in the biblical worldview, the right side is associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, while the left side is associated with badness, lowness, and earthliness.
After making the sign of the cross, some Catholics return their hands to a prayer position, ending with a kiss on the cross made with the thumb. This final gesture shows reverence and respect.
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The history of the practice
The sign of the cross is a ritual hand motion practised by the majority of the world's Christians, and it is believed to have been in use within the living memory of the Apostles themselves.
The earliest evidence of the sign of the cross being practised dates back to the second century. Tertullian, an Ante-Nicene Church Father, wrote in AD 204 about Christians forming the sign of the cross on their foreheads "in all our actions". He also described Christians making the sign on objects, such as their beds before sleeping. St. Cyprian (AD 210-258) and other early Church Fathers also witnessed the use of the sign of the cross among the earliest generations of Christians.
By the third century, Christians frequently marked their foreheads with the cross, and also made the sign in the air as a blessing over people and things. The use of the sign of the cross as a blessing may have contributed to the larger sign that is commonly used today.
During the Reformation in the sixteenth century, some Christians repudiated the sign of the cross, deeming it superstitious. However, Martin Luther did not abandon the practice and recommended it in his writings.
The direction of the sign of the cross has been a matter of debate. In the fifth century, a Roman deacon, who later became Pope Innocence III, witnessed people in Rome making the sign from left to right. Since then, moving from the left to the right shoulder has become the typical Western way. However, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left, considering it the more ancient way.
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The meaning and significance
The sign of the cross is a ritual blessing and prayer in some branches of Christianity, including Catholicism. It is a significant prayer as it represents an acknowledgement of belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The sign of the cross is made by touching the forehead, chest, and both shoulders, in that order. The right hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is the typical Western way of making the sign of the cross, though Eastern Christians often perform the gesture in reverse, from right to left. The direction in which the sign of the cross is made holds symbolic meaning. In the biblical worldview, the right side is associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, while the left side is associated with badness, lowness, and earthliness. Thus, moving from left to right can be seen as a symbol of ascension, while moving from right to left can be seen as a symbol of incarnation.
The way in which the fingers are held during the sign of the cross also holds meaning for some Catholics. Some hold up three fingers together, representing the Trinity, while others extend all five fingers to represent the five wounds of Christ. The sign of the cross is often made deliberately and slowly, ending with a kiss on the cross made with the thumb, and bringing the hands back to a prayer position.
The use of the sign of the cross can be traced back to early Christianity, with the Apostolic Tradition treatise from the third century directing its use during minor exorcisms of baptism, ablutions before fixed prayer times, and in times of temptation. Over time, its use has varied within different branches of Christianity. For example, the English Reformation reduced its use compared to Catholic rites, and while the 1549 Book of Common Prayer allowed for leeway in its use, the 1552 revision reduced its use to a single mandatory occasion during baptism. In the Anglican tradition, the use of the sign of the cross has been a point of contention, with "high church" Anglicans more likely to adopt its use than "low church" Anglicans. However, objections to its use within Anglicanism have largely been dropped in the 20th century.
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Variations in different denominations
There are several variations in how different Christian denominations make the sign of the cross. Here are some of the most notable differences:
Roman Catholics
Roman Catholics typically make the sign of the cross from left to right, with the right hand moving from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. They use an open hand, with all five fingers extended to represent the five wounds of Christ. Some Catholics also incorporate the three fingers together for the Trinity, and they may end the gesture with a kiss on the cross made with the thumb.
Eastern Christians
Eastern Christians, including Orthodox Christians, often make the sign of the cross from right to left, starting at the forehead, moving to the chest, then from the right shoulder to the left shoulder. This order is seen as symbolically different from the Western way, with the right side associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, and the left side associated with badness, lowness, and earthliness.
Orthodox Christians
The Orthodox Christians make the sign of the cross with their right hand, touching three fingers (the thumb, index, and middle fingers) together to represent the Trinity, while the last two fingers are pressed against the palm to symbolize the two natures of Christ. They touch their forehead, saying "In the Name of the Father", then press their fingers against the belly saying, "and the Son", move to the right shoulder saying, "and the Holy", and finally to the left shoulder, finishing with "Spirit".
Protestants
Protestant churches often view the sign of the cross as a "Catholic thing" and may be uncomfortable with it. They typically do not include figures of Christ on their crosses, interpreting the absence as a belief in the resurrection rather than a representation of the interval between death and resurrection. However, some Protestant denominations, like Lutherans, Anglicans, and Episcopalians, do make the sign of the cross in a similar way to Catholics, as they inherited it from the Western Church.
Other Variations
There are also other, smaller variations within and between denominations. For example, some people may make the sign of the cross from right to left, mirroring the blessing sign made by a bishop or priest, which goes from left to right. Additionally, the Russian Orthodox Church has changed the ancient practice of making the sign of the cross, now preserved by Old Rite believers.
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