Sarah Mitchell
The Jerusalem Cross is a Christian symbol consisting of a large central cross, surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. It is also known as the Crusader's Cross, the Five-Fold Cross, or the Cross-and-Crosslets. The design has been used for centuries to represent the Church in Jerusalem and to remind Christians of the Evangelists, Jerusalem, and the suffering of Christ. It is the main insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The cross has been adopted by some Catholic pilgrims as a symbol of their faith and connection to the Holy Land, and it is also used by some white supremacist groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Design | A large central cross, called a cross potent, with four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant |
| Symbolism | The Four Evangelists, the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the Earth, the Five Wounds of Christ, and Christ in the middle |
| Usage | Insigne of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Latin Catholic diocese for the Holy Land, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem |
| History | First appeared before the First Crusade (1096-1099), became associated with the Crusader knight Godfrey de Bouillon, and was adopted as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after 1099 |
| Modern Usage | Religious symbols, artistic representations, pendants, t-shirts, hats, key rings, letter openers, bookmarks, tattoos |
| Associations | Christian nationalism, white supremacy, far-right extremism |
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What You'll Learn
- The Jerusalem Cross is a popular way for Catholics to express their faith
- It is also known as the Crusader's Cross
- The five elements of the cross have different spiritual meanings
- The cross is associated with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
- The cross has been used by some white supremacist groups
The Jerusalem Cross is a popular way for Catholics to express their faith
The Jerusalem Cross first appeared before the First Crusade (1096-1099) and was used to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim control. It was adopted as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after 1099 and was attributed to Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusade. Even after the end of the Crusader era, pilgrims continued to carry the image of the Jerusalem Cross, connecting their faith journeys to the passion of Christ and the desire to see the Holy City. The cross has been used by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, an esteemed Catholic order of knighthood, since the Crusader state was overthrown in 1291.
The Jerusalem Cross is still the main insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Latin Catholic diocese for the Holy Land. It is also the symbol of all those who work to preserve Christianity in Jerusalem. The cross has been used by Catholic pilgrims for over 1000 years, and it is printed on the Holy Bible in Europe. It is a symbol of faith and connection to heritage for Christians, reminding them of Jesus' connection to the Holy Land.
The Jerusalem Cross has been adopted by various groups and has different meanings for different people. It is used on the national flag of Georgia and by some white supremacist groups. It has also been associated with Christian nationalism and far-right extremism. However, the original meaning of the cross is rooted in Christianity and represents the Five Wounds of Christ, the Four Evangelists, and Christ in the middle, with the spread of the gospel to all corners of the world.
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It is also known as the Crusader's Cross
The Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Crusader's Cross, is a heraldic cross and a variant of the Christian cross. It is made up of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. This design is meant to represent the Four Evangelists and the spread of the gospel to the four corners of the Earth, which is a metaphor for the whole Earth.
The Crusader's Cross was used as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after 1099, following the First Crusade, which was led by Godfrey of Bouillon, to whom the design is attributed. The cross was not in common use until the latter half of the 13th century when it was adopted as the chief banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which ruled over much of the Holy Land until 1291.
The Jerusalem Cross is still used as the insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Latin Catholic diocese for the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. It is also featured on the vestments worn by the members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a congregation under the direct protection of the Holy See. The cross is also worn by Catholic pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, often in the form of pendants, t-shirts, or hats.
The Crusader's Cross has been used in various contexts, including religious symbols and artistic representations, and has been embraced by individuals and communities as part of their spiritual identity. It is viewed as a potent symbol of faith and connection to heritage within the Christian community.
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The five elements of the cross have different spiritual meanings
The Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Crusader's Cross, is a Christian symbol consisting of a large central cross surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. This distinctive design has been used for centuries by Catholics and other Christians to express their faith and remind them of Jesus' connection to the Holy Land.
The five elements of the Jerusalem Cross have been given different spiritual meanings over time, reflecting a focus on Christ rather than crusades or nationalism. Here are some of the interpretations:
The Four Evangelists and the Spread of the Gospel: The four smaller crosses are often said to represent the Four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who spread the Gospel to the four corners of the Earth. This interpretation underscores the global reach of the Christian message.
The Five Wounds of Christ: In this interpretation, the central cross symbolises the wound inflicted on Jesus' side, while the four smaller crosses represent the wounds on his hands and feet. This reading emphasises Christ's sacrifice and suffering.
Christ in the Centre, with the Four Directions: Here, the central cross signifies Christ, while the four smaller crosses point to the four directions (north, south, east, and west), symbolising the spread of the Gospel to all parts of the world.
Jerusalem and the Suffering of Christ: The Jerusalem Cross is also seen as a symbol of Jerusalem itself and the passion of Christ. This interpretation highlights the significance of Jerusalem as the root of Christianity and the site of Christ's crucifixion.
The Holy City and the Faith Journey: For pilgrims, the Jerusalem Cross represents their faith journey towards the Holy City of Jerusalem. It connects their personal devotion to the broader Christian narrative centred on Christ's passion.
While the Jerusalem Cross has been co-opted by some white supremacist groups, it remains a powerful and positive symbol for Catholics and Christians worldwide, closely associated with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
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The cross is associated with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Cross is the official emblem of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. The order was founded during the First Crusade, and its members are sometimes referred to as knights and dames. The order's main aim is to deepen the faith among its members and to support charitable and social works and institutions of the Church in the Holy Land. Its members are easily recognised by their cloaks, which are decorated with the red Jerusalem Cross.
The Jerusalem Cross is a Christian symbol consisting of a large central cross of equal-length arms, called a cross potent, and four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. It is also known as the Crusader's Cross and has been used since the late Middle Ages (around the 11th century). It was the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and has been associated with the Crusades and Christian knights. The design is attributed to Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusade.
The cross has several religious meanings and interpretations. It has been seen as representing the Five Wounds of Christ, the Four Evangelists, and Christ in the middle, as well as the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the world. It has also been interpreted as representing the combination of the Old Testament with the New Testament's four Gospels. The Jerusalem Cross is a potent symbol of faith and connection to Christian heritage for many individuals and communities.
In recent years, the Jerusalem Cross has been adopted by some alt-right, white supremacist, and Christian nationalist groups. However, within the Catholic Church, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and affiliated organisations in Jerusalem continue to use the symbol. The cross is still the main insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and it is commonly seen on Catholic pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
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The cross has been used by some white supremacist groups
The Jerusalem Cross is a Christian symbol consisting of a large central cross, called a cross potent, with four smaller Greek crosses, one at the end of each arm of the larger cross. It is also known as the Crusader's Cross, and it has been used as a symbol by some white supremacist groups.
The cross has been associated with the Crusades, which involved Christian invasions of Muslim lands. In recent years, images and terms related to the Crusades have been appropriated by white supremacists, including the Jerusalem Cross. Far-right and neo-Nazi groups have used this symbol, sometimes in combination with the phrase "Deus Vult" ("God wills it"), which was also associated with the Crusaders. This combination has been interpreted as "an invocation of the claim that crusader violence and its atrocities (including the massacre of civilians) was legitimate".
The Jerusalem Cross was seen at the 2017 Unite the Right rally, a white supremacist event in Charlottesville, Virginia, where banners featuring the cross and the phrase "Deus Vult" were flown. The use of the cross in this context has sparked concerns and debates about its meaning and implications. While some argue that it has been co-opted by extremist groups, others defend its traditional religious significance.
It is important to note that the Jerusalem Cross has a long history within Christianity and continues to hold religious significance for many people. The cross has been used by Christians, including Catholics, for centuries, often as a symbol of faith and connection to Jerusalem. It has been featured on religious vestments, in artwork, and as a tattoo among pilgrims and pastors. The cross has also been associated with specific Christian orders, such as the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and has been approved and blessed by the Pope.
While the Jerusalem Cross has been used by some white supremacist groups, it is not exclusively a hate symbol. Its meaning can vary depending on the context in which it is used, and it continues to hold religious significance for many Christians.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jerusalem Cross is a heraldic cross and Christian cross variant consisting of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. It is also known as the Crusader's Cross.
The Jerusalem Cross is believed to represent several things. The four crosses surrounding the large central cross are said to represent the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They also symbolise the four corners of the Earth, to which Jesus wanted his disciples to spread His word. The five elements of the cross have been given different spiritual meanings over the centuries, all reflecting a focus on Christ.
The Jerusalem Cross was first used by Godfrey de Bouillon, one of the leaders of the First Crusade, as a symbol of the new Crusader state. It was adopted as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after 1099. It has been ubiquitous in Christian imagery ever since, especially in the Catholic Church.
The Jerusalem Cross is still the main insignia of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Latin Catholic diocese for the Holy Land. It is also the symbol of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. The Order's 30,000 members are easily recognised by their cloaks, which are decorated with the red Jerusalem Cross. The cross is also popular among Catholic pilgrims to Jerusalem, who often wear the symbol on pendants, t-shirts or hats.
