Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars intersecting each other at a 90° angle, dividing one or two of the lines in half. It is one of the most ancient human symbols and crosses are symbols of many religions.

Crosses as markings

• The Roman numeral for ten is X.
• The Chinese character for ten is 十 (see Chinese numerals).
• The dagger or obelus (†)
• The addition (or plus) sign (+) and the multiplication (or times) sign (×).

Crosses as emblems

• Any number of figures used in heraldry, eg.
  • Lorraine Cross
  • see heraldic cross
• The Papal cross used in ecclesiastical heraldry.
• Constantine's Labarum (also known as the monogram of Jesus Christ).
• The Red Cross as a symbol for medical care in most of the world, (the Red Crescent being used in Islamic countries).
• The Skull and crossbones.

Crosses as symbols

• The Christian cross identifies a Christian in most Christian groups and is a symbol for the Christian God (especially Jesus as a reminder of the redeeming sacrifice of the Crucifixion on the True Cross), or a Christian object or location in most Christianity groups.
• Saint Andrew's cross.
• The High crosses of the free-standing Celtic crosses in Britain and Ireland.
• Odin's symbol in Norse mythology was a cross in a circle.
• The ancient Swastika (adopted later by the Nazi party).
• The Ancient Egyptian Ankh is also a type of cross, which is sometimes given a Latin name if it appears in specifically Christian contexts, as the Crux Ansata ("handled cross").

Crosses in flags

Several flags have Crosses, including all the nations of Scandinavia.

• Flag of Denmark (the Dannebrog)
• Flag of England
• Flag of Finland
• Flag of Greece
• Flag of Guernsey
• Flag of Iceland
• Flag of Malta
• Flag of Norway
• Flag of Portugal
• Flag of Scotland
• Flag of Sweden
• Flag of Switzerland
• Flag of the United Kingdom (the "Union Jack")
• Flag of Wallis and Futuna
• Saint Piran's Flag

The cross in heraldry

See heraldry.

Constellation

The Southern Cross is a constellation of the Southern Hemisphere.

Others

• Crosses is a commune of the Cher département, in France

Tallest Cross

The tallest cross— 152.4 meters high— is part of Generalissimo Francisco Franco's monumental "Valley of the Fallen", the Monumento Nacional de Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caidos in Spain.

See also

• Iron Cross
• Cross of Lorraine
• Knights Hospitaller
• Seal of the demons
• Demons and symbols

External links

• MSN Encarta
• The Columbia Encyclopedia