Equal-armed cross: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Cross symbol}} |
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{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}} |
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[[File:Cross2.svg|thumb|upright|Equal-armed crosses]] |
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{{Cleanup|date=August 2006}} |
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The '''equal-armed cross''', also referred to as the '''square cross''', the '''balanced cross''', and the '''peaceful cross''', is a [[cross]], consisting of two intersecting lines, usually perpendicular to each other, with all arms of equal length. The [[Greek cross]] is an equal-armed cross with the lines running vertically and horizontally. The [[saltire]] is a diagonal equal-armed cross, sometimes with the two intersecting lines that are not perpendicular to each other. Equal-armed crosses are symbols that have been found since ancient times in different cultures and traditions throughout the world. |
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==Significance== |
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'''Equal-Armed Cross''': Also called the Square Cross, Rose Cross, Balanced Cross, and the Peaceful Cross. The symbol of an equal-armed cross (sometimes within a [[circle]]), to an [[astrologer]] (whose practice predates organised [[Christianity]] by fifteen hundred years), represents the planet [[Earth]]. This symbol also links with the four directions, the four elements, the four seasons and so on, making it a powerful [[Magic (paranormal)|magical]] talisman. For this reason the equal-armed cross was drawn on hot-cross buns in olden times, to protect the bread from faeries. Sometimes this form of cross was used to represent the natural union between the [[male]] and [[female]]. It was the equal-armed cross that was used as a holy symbol by the [[Knights Templar]]. |
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It is often interpreted as representing either the four [[season]]s, four winds, [[Classical element|four elements]], or some other aspect of physical nature.<ref>{{cite book|last=Duchane|first=Sangeet|author2=Priya Hemenway|others=Amy Ray|title=Beyond the Da Vinci Code: From the Rose Line to the Bloodline|publisher=[[Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.]]|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7607-6625-5|page=117}}</ref> |
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In the [[Albanian paganism|Albanian tradition]] the equal-armed cross (and its variant [[swastika]]) is the traditional way to symbolize the deified Fire – [[Zjarri (Albanian paganism)|Zjarri]], evidently also called with the theonym [[Enji (deity)|Enji]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Treimer|first=Karl|editor=Henrik Barić |title=Arhiv za Arbanasku starinu, jezik i etnologiju|volume=I|chapter=Zur Rückerschliessung der illyrischen Götterwelt und ihre Bedeutung für die südslawische Philologie|pages=27–33|publisher=R. Trofenik|year=1971|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dTIBAAAAMAAJ}} p. 32.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Murray-Aynsley|first=J. C.|title=Swastika|journal=Ars Quatuor Coronatorum|volume=IV|year=1891|pages=29, 31}}</ref> They are commonly found in a variety of contexts of Albanian folk art, including [[Albanian traditional tattooing|traditional tattooing]], grave art, jewellery, embroidery, and house carvings. |
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==Other== |
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[[File:CROSS_Sacral_Stavros_from_the_Temple_Repositories_of_Knossos_1600_BCE_Heraclion_Museum_Greece.JPG|thumb|upright|Minoan cross]] |
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An equal-armed cross (often within a [[circle]]) represents the planet [[Earth]] in traditional [[astrological]]/[[astronomical symbols]]. The cross could also be used to represent the union between [[male]] and [[female]].<ref name=Templar>{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Michael James Alexander|author2=Walid Amine Salhab|title=The Knights Templar of the Middle East: The Hidden History of the Islamic Origins of Freemasonry|publisher=Weiser|year=2007|isbn=978-1-57863-346-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/knightstemplarof00stew_0}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Christian cross]] |
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*[[Christian symbols]] |
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*[[Swastika]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Symbols]] |
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[[Category:History of astrology]] |
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[[Category:Cross symbols]] |
[[Category:Cross symbols]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:38, 15 October 2024
The equal-armed cross, also referred to as the square cross, the balanced cross, and the peaceful cross, is a cross, consisting of two intersecting lines, usually perpendicular to each other, with all arms of equal length. The Greek cross is an equal-armed cross with the lines running vertically and horizontally. The saltire is a diagonal equal-armed cross, sometimes with the two intersecting lines that are not perpendicular to each other. Equal-armed crosses are symbols that have been found since ancient times in different cultures and traditions throughout the world.
Significance
[edit]It is often interpreted as representing either the four seasons, four winds, four elements, or some other aspect of physical nature.[1]
In the Albanian tradition the equal-armed cross (and its variant swastika) is the traditional way to symbolize the deified Fire – Zjarri, evidently also called with the theonym Enji.[2][3] They are commonly found in a variety of contexts of Albanian folk art, including traditional tattooing, grave art, jewellery, embroidery, and house carvings.
Other
[edit]
An equal-armed cross (often within a circle) represents the planet Earth in traditional astrological/astronomical symbols. The cross could also be used to represent the union between male and female.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Duchane, Sangeet; Priya Hemenway (2005). Beyond the Da Vinci Code: From the Rose Line to the Bloodline. Amy Ray. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-7607-6625-5.
- ^ Treimer, Karl (1971). "Zur Rückerschliessung der illyrischen Götterwelt und ihre Bedeutung für die südslawische Philologie". In Henrik Barić (ed.). Arhiv za Arbanasku starinu, jezik i etnologiju. Vol. I. R. Trofenik. pp. 27–33. p. 32.
- ^ Murray-Aynsley, J. C. (1891). "Swastika". Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. IV: 29, 31.
- ^ Stewart, Michael James Alexander; Walid Amine Salhab (2007). The Knights Templar of the Middle East: The Hidden History of the Islamic Origins of Freemasonry. Weiser. ISBN 978-1-57863-346-3.