Rachel Evans
The tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with all three ends expanded, and is called so because it is shaped like the Greek letter tau, which is the Latin letter T. It is also known as Saint Anthony's cross, due to its association with Saint Anthony of Egypt, and is one of the basic types of iconographic representations of the cross, known as crux commissa. The tau cross is a well-known symbol for Franciscans and was used by St. Francis of Assisi as his signature and personal seal. It was also used by Pope Innocent III in the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 as a symbol of the Eucharist, conversion, and the Crusades. The tau cross is a symbol of Christian devotion and salvation, representing the cross of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | T-shaped |
| Name origin | Named after the Greek letter tau, which it resembles |
| Other names | Saint Anthony's cross, crux commissa |
| History | Used by Christians in Egypt, later adopted by the Catholic Church as a sign of conversion and the cross |
| Religious significance | Symbol of Christian devotion, redemption, and salvation |
| Use in Catholicism | Used by the Franciscan order, often worn or used in artwork |
| Secular significance | Ornament, symbol of nature worship in pre-Christian times |
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What You'll Learn
- The Tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with expanded ends
- The Tau cross is associated with St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan order
- The Tau cross is a Catholic symbol of devotion, redemption and salvation
- The Tau cross is also known as Saint Anthony's cross, due to its association with St. Anthony of Egypt
- The Tau cross is one of the oldest patterns of the cross and was likely the standard form of Roman crucifixion
The Tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with expanded ends
The Tau cross, also known as Saint Anthony's cross or Saint Anthony cross, is a T-shaped cross with three ends expanded. The name "tau cross" comes from its resemblance to the Greek letter tau (Τ), which corresponds to the Latin letter T. It is also called a crux commissa, one of the four basic types of iconographic representations of the cross.
The Tau cross has a rich history and has been used by various civilisations and religions throughout the ages. It is said to have originated in Egypt as a pagan symbol and was later adopted by Christians, including the Copts, who used it extensively on their gravestones. In its long history, the Tau cross has also been associated with Mithras, a Roman god, and Attis, a Greek god. In Norse mythology, Thor's hammer is shaped like a Tau cross, and in astrology, the zodiac sign Taurus the Bull takes its name from the letter 'tau'.
The Tau cross is particularly significant in Christianity, where it symbolises Christian devotion, redemption, and salvation. It is believed that Christ's first disciples adopted it as their talisman, and some experts suggest that the crucifixion cross was T-shaped rather than the classic cross commonly depicted today. The Tau cross is also associated with several Christian saints, including St Anthony of Egypt, who is said to have carried a T-shaped crutch, and St Francis of Assisi, who used the Tau as his personal seal and signature.
The Tau cross holds great importance for Franciscans, who wear it as a distinctive mark, often tied with a three-knot rope symbolising their vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity. St Francis of Assisi is credited with popularising the Tau cross within the Catholic Church, using it extensively in his artwork, writings, and signature. The Tau cross was also used by Pope Innocent III during the Fourth Lateran Council, where he encouraged Christians to mark it on their foreheads as a sign of conversion and penance.
Today, the Tau cross continues to be a recognisable symbol within both secular and religious groups, with various interpretations and meanings attached to it.
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The Tau cross is associated with St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan order
The Tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with all three ends expanded. It is named after the Greek letter Tau, which it resembles. The Tau cross is associated with St. Francis of Assisi, who used it as his personal seal and signature, and it is also a symbol of the Franciscan order.
St. Francis of Assisi was present at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 when Pope Innocent III encouraged Christians to mark the Tau cross on the foreheads of those who were close to them. This was to be a sign of conversion and a symbol of the Crusades. St. Francis of Assisi embraced the Tau cross, marking it on the foreheads of those he met as a sign of salvation and the victory of Jesus Christ over evil. He also used it to sign his letters and paint it on walls, and it is said that he stretched his arms out wide to demonstrate to his friars that their habits embodied the symbol.
The Tau cross was important to St. Francis because its form reminded Christians of the Cross on which Christ was sacrificed for the salvation of the world. As the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it prophesied the Last Day and had the same function as the Greek letter Omega in the Book of Revelation. The Tau cross was also a symbol of Christian devotion, redemption, and salvation.
The Tau cross is still worn by those who recognise themselves in Franciscan spirituality, such as friars, nuns, and the faithful. It is usually made of olive wood, a poor and ductile material that recalls the faithful to a simple lifestyle. The Tau cross is tied with a three-knot rope, symbolising the three Franciscan vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity.
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The Tau cross is a Catholic symbol of devotion, redemption and salvation
The Tau cross, also known as Saint Anthony's cross, is a T-shaped cross, resembling the Greek letter tau (or the Latin letter T). It is a Catholic symbol with a rich history and a profound significance in Christian devotion, redemption and salvation.
The Tau cross is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, specifically the Book of Ezekiel, where it is described as a mark on the foreheads of those from Israel who are to be saved from extermination. This symbolic use of the Tau cross is further reinforced in the New Testament, particularly in the Apocalypse of St John, also known as the Book of Revelation.
The Tau cross holds a special significance for Catholics, especially those who identify with Franciscan spirituality, including friars, nuns, and faithful followers. St Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order, is known to have cherished the Tau cross deeply. He used it as his signature, seal, and a symbol of his devotion to God. St Francis of Assisi also marked the Tau cross on the foreheads of those he met as a sign of their conversion and salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Tau cross was also associated with St Anthony of Egypt, whose T-shaped staff and cassock bore the letter Tau. This association led to the Tau cross being known as Saint Anthony's cross. The Hospital Brothers of St Anthony, a Catholic religious order, wore habits marked with a blue Tau cross, further cementing its connection to the saint.
Beyond its biblical and saintly associations, the Tau cross holds symbolic meaning for Catholics. It represents Christian devotion, redemption, and salvation. The cross's shape reminds Christians of the Cross on which Christ was sacrificed for the salvation of the world. It signifies a commitment to following in the footsteps of the crucified Christ, embracing a life of obedience, poverty, and chastity.
The Tau cross is also a reminder of God's love and healing. It stands as a symbol of the innate goodness of God's creation and the potential for love and restoration, even in the face of hate and brokenness. For Franciscans, the Tau cross represents the core of their Franciscan life and a reminder to affirm nonviolent living and the dignity of all God's creations.
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The Tau cross is also known as Saint Anthony's cross, due to its association with St. Anthony of Egypt
The Tau cross, also known as Saint Anthony's cross, is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with all three ends expanded. The name "tau" comes from its resemblance to the Greek letter tau (Τ), which corresponds to the Latin letter T.
The Tau cross is associated with St. Anthony of Egypt, who is said to have leaned on a tau-shaped staff. The letter tau also appeared on his cassock in images. St. Anthony is believed to have carried a cross of this type, and it is said that he appeared in 1095 to a French nobleman whose son was sick. Following divine instruction to plant a tau-shaped cross, the boy was miraculously healed. This led to the use of such crosses as amulets to ward off disease during the Middle Ages.
The Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony, or Antonines, were a Catholic religious order founded at the end of the 11th century. They wore a black habit marked with a blue tau, which became associated with St. Anthony, their patron saint. The Antonines devoted themselves to treating ergotism, which became known as St. Anthony's fire. Through its association with the Antonines, the tau cross became known as Saint Anthony's cross.
The Tau cross is also associated with St. Francis of Assisi, who used it as his signature and personal seal. St. Francis is said to have stretched his arms wide to demonstrate to his friars that their habits embodied the symbol of the cross. The Tau cross was important to St. Francis, and it remains associated with his order, the Franciscans.
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The Tau cross is one of the oldest patterns of the cross and was likely the standard form of Roman crucifixion
The Tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with all three ends expanded. It is called a "tau cross" because of its resemblance to the Greek letter tau, which has the same appearance as the Latin letter T. The Tau cross is also known as Saint Anthony's cross because of its association with Saint Anthony of Egypt. It is also referred to as a crux commissa, one of the four basic types of iconographic cross representations.
The Tau cross is one of the oldest patterns of the cross, with a long history in Christianity. It is believed that the "tau" was the standard form of Roman crucifixion. The vertical member was already mounted at the place of execution, while the horizontal member was carried by the victim from the place of judgment to the site of their execution. The Tau cross was also used by the early Christians, who saw in it a depiction of Jesus on the cross, with the cross represented by the tau and the head by the loop of the rho.
The Tau cross has been a significant symbol for Christians, with references in Scripture and the writings of early Church Fathers, such as Ezekiel and St. Antony of Egypt. It is particularly associated with St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan order. St. Francis is said to have favoured the Tau cross above all others, using it as his personal seal and signature. He also employed it extensively in his life, painting it on walls and referring to it in his writings. The Tau cross represented St. Francis's strong faith and devotion to God, and it became an external symbol of the core Franciscan way of life.
The Tau cross has also been used by the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony, a Catholic religious order founded in the 11th century. They wore habits marked with a blue Tau cross, which became associated with their patron saint, Anthony of Egypt. The Tau cross has been interpreted as a symbol of conversion, salvation, and God's love and healing. It stands as a reminder of the innate goodness of God's creation and the call to foster nonviolent relationships.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tau cross is a T-shaped cross, sometimes with all three ends of the cross expanded. It is called a "tau cross" because of its resemblance to the Greek letter tau.
The Tau cross is a symbol of Christian devotion, redemption and salvation. It is also a reminder of God's love and healing, and the cross of Christ.
St. Francis of Assisi used the Tau cross as his signature and personal seal. He chose this symbol for its intense religious meaning and it became a distinctive mark of the Franciscan order.
