Ethan Walker
The sign of the cross is a form of prayer in the Catholic tradition. The sign of the cross is made by touching the forehead, chest, and both shoulders. The right shoulder is typically touched first, though some Catholics begin with the left. The hand may be held in a number of different ways during the prayer, such as with the thumb, index, and middle fingertips held together, or with the middle and index fingers held straight. The sign of the cross is often accompanied by a blessing, such as In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing belief in the Trinity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand Position | Hold your right thumb, index, and middle fingertips together. |
| The first three fingers symbolize the Holy Trinity, and the last two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus, divine and human. | |
| Some people use two fingers. | |
| Direction | From right to left. |
| From forehead to stomach or chest. | |
| From left shoulder to right shoulder. | |
| Some people start with the right shoulder. | |
| The direction can also be from top to bottom and then from left to right. | |
| Recitation | "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," symbolizing belief in the Trinity. |
| "Lord / Jesus Christ / Son of God / have mercy on us." | |
| "My hope is the Father. / My refuge is the Son. / My protection is the Holy Spirit." | |
| "In the name of the Father" (forehead); "and of the Son" (stomach or heart); "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost" (across the shoulders); "Amen" (chest). | |
| "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart." | |
| Other | The sign of the cross should be deliberate and slow to average speed. |
| Some people place their left hand on their breast and touch the right hand a little higher. | |
| The sign of the cross can be made with a large or small cross. |
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What You'll Learn
The hand and finger positions to use
Firstly, join the tips of the first three fingers—the thumb, index, and middle fingers—together, while tucking the remaining two fingers, the ring and pinky fingers, into the palm of your hand. The three joined fingers represent the Holy Trinity, while the two tucked fingers symbolise the dual nature of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine.
Some Catholics, however, prefer to use only two fingers, the middle and index fingers, for the sign of the cross.
With your fingers in position, touch your forehead, then the centre of your chest or sternum, and finally, make a cross by touching your shoulders. Catholics typically start with the left shoulder and move across to the right. This movement from left to right is unique to the Catholic tradition, with Eastern Orthodox Christians typically going from right to left.
After making the cross, bring your hand back to the prayer position with your hands together. This final gesture shows reverence and respect.
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The order of the four points of contact
The sign of the cross is a form of prayer in the Catholic tradition. The four points of contact are the forehead, the chest, the left shoulder, and the right shoulder. The sign of the cross should be performed slowly and deliberately, with the right hand and two straight fingers (the middle and index fingers), or three fingers together for the Trinity.
- Touch your forehead: This first point of contact symbolizes the beginning of the prayer and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. It is believed that this gesture seals one's forehead in times of temptation.
- Touch your chest: Bring your hand down to your sternum or the centre of your chest. Some people place their right hand a little higher than their left hand during this step.
- Touch your left shoulder: There is variation in the tradition regarding which shoulder to touch first. Catholics typically start with the left shoulder.
- Touch your right shoulder: Touch your right shoulder in roughly the same location as the left. This completes the large cross, which is believed to ward off evil and bring God's blessing.
The sign of the cross is often accompanied by a Trinitarian formula or prayer. For example, saying "In the name of the Father" at the forehead, "and of the Son" at the chest, "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost" across the shoulders, and finishing with "Amen" as the hand returns to the chest.
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The direction of the cross
In the Western tradition, the sign of the cross typically starts with the forehead, then moves down to the chest or stomach, and finally goes from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This left-to-right direction is a key distinction from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, which typically goes from the right shoulder to the left.
Some sources suggest that the right hand should be used, with the middle and index fingers held straight and together, while the ring finger and little finger are tucked into the palm. This formation is said to represent the Holy Trinity and the two natures of Jesus as fully human and fully divine.
In the Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Lutheran traditions, the first three fingers are brought together, representing the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity, while the last two fingers are pressed against the palm. This finger formation was also used in Western Europe during the Middle Ages.
Overall, while there may be slight variations in the direction of the cross within the Catholic tradition, the essential elements of touching the forehead, chest or stomach, and both shoulders remain consistent.
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The accompanying prayer
The prayer is said as one touches their forehead, lips, and chest, or belly, and finally makes a large cross from head to chest or belly, and then from shoulder to shoulder. The prayer is as follows: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This is also referred to as the Trinitarian formula.
In Latin, the prayer is: "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." If the service is in English, one would say: "...and of the Son..." and if the service is in Latin, one would say: "...et Spiritus...".
Some people prefer to bless themselves with holy water before making the sign of the cross. This involves dipping your fingers in holy water and then making the sign.
The direction of the cross is also important. In the Catholic tradition, the sign of the cross is made from right to left, starting with the left shoulder and ending with the right. This is said to be the way of our fathers and countless saints and is depicted in ancient icons.
The Eastern Orthodox Christians typically go from their right shoulder to their left, and this was once shared by the Western church.
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The history of the practice
The third-century treatise Apostolic Tradition directed that the sign of the cross be used during the minor exorcism of baptism, ablutions before praying at fixed prayer times, and in times of temptation.
The practice of making the sign of the cross has evolved over time, with different variants emerging. The large sign of the cross is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead "In the name of the Father", at the stomach or heart "and of the Son", across the shoulders "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost", and finally: "Amen".
The small sign of the cross is traced on the forehead or objects, while the lesser sign of the cross is made over the forehead, lips, and heart.
In the Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutheran, and Byzantine Catholic churches, the tips of the first three fingers are brought together, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, while the last two fingers are pressed against the palm, representing the two natures of Jesus, divine and human. This gesture was also used in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages.
The direction of the sign of the cross has been a subject of debate, with some arguing for right to left, and others for left to right. The Romans officially changed the direction in Rome in the 15th century, but the right-to-left direction is still observed by Eastern Orthodox Christians, forming a rough Greek equal-armed cross.
The use of the sign of the cross was reduced in the English Reformation and by the 1549 and 1552 Books of Common Prayer, which limited its use to baptism. However, it continued to hold significance in English folk traditions, believed to have a protective function against evil.
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Frequently asked questions
The sign of the cross is a form of prayer. Touch your forehead, then your chest, then your left shoulder, and finally your right shoulder. You can also dip your fingers in holy water before making the sign of the cross.
You can use either your right hand or your left hand. You should hold your thumb, index, and middle fingertips together, and tuck your other fingers into your palm.
No, you can bring your hand all the way down to touch the ground instead.
