What is the difference between crosses

The crucifix is being used in all Catholic churches around the globe and is common in public religious services. The use of a Crucifix as an Altar Cross is an obligation in a Catholic mass or any other specific rites or religious occasions. Modern Roman Catholic churches will usually have a Crucifix above the table at which the bread and wine are consecrated in communion services on the wall. The crucifix is also opposed by some people as they feel that Jesus Christ was resurrected but not on the Cross , so it is wrong to depict that way.

There may be different types of Crucifix and especially those where there be could be a dramatical engraving of the suffering of Jesus Christ being depicted. Cross and Crucifix are important especially when purchasing any jewelry items or any other ornaments and during religious rites.

The type of Christianity may determine the preference for either a Cross or Crucifix , however, within Cross and Crucifix, there may be multiple styles having diverse varieties carved in a different metal or wooden forms having the origin in either the American or European or other cultures. Again, people use Cross and Crucifix as synonyms and will use either of the two to project their indication of faith.

However, the fact remains that both the Cross and Crucifix are important ornamental items in this world reminding us of Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, death, and resurrection denoting victory of good over evil and life over death. Skip to content Cross and Crucifix are being considered as important signs of faith for Christian people across the globe.

What is Cross? What is Crucifix? Cross is an item without any engraving or any picture on the same. The crucifix is a Cross with a Jesus Christ engraving. Cross emerged in the 4th century. This is unlike the Latin cross, which is tied directly to Christ's crucifixion.

Some of the earliest Christian tombs have this version of the cross on them, so it is said to be the most ancient. This cross also formed the basis for architectural plans for churches in the Byzantine Empire. The Celtic cross is unique as it consists of an ornamented circle surrounding the traditional horizontal and vertical pieces of a cross, both of which also have ornate designs.

This additional circle represents eternity and the endlessness of God's love. These crosses appeared in Ireland and Scotland during the Early Middle Ages and are still used in modern times, particularly in cemeteries and as jewelry.

According to certain legends, the Celtic cross was introduced by St. Patrick and combines pagan and Christian symbolism. They are often made out of stone, and a number of them still sit near Scottish and Irish cathedrals today. The Coptic ankh, sometimes called a Coptic cross, is the symbol used by Coptic Christians in 4th century Egypt. This version of the cross has its roots in Ancient Egyptian religious practice, which used the ankh, a flared T-shaped symbol with an almost oval shape at the top, which forms the hieroglyph for "breath of life.

As time passed, Coptic Christians adopted the ankh but added an additional Greek cross at the center of the circular-shaped part to show their adherence to Christianity. However, sometimes the Greek cross is omitted, leaving the symbol as a flared cross with a simple circle attached to its top. The Calvary cross is a standard cross that rests on a stepped platform. There are three steps up to the cross, which are said to represent faith, hope, and charity.

The name Calvary refers to the place where Jesus was crucified - Mount Calvary. These crosses are commonly found on altars, as well as in cemeteries. The crucifix is an artistic representation of Jesus on the cross. These crosses are usually of the Latin variety, with simple wooden or metal vertical and horizontal beams.

They can be found in Orthodox and Catholic churches but not in Protestant ones, as Protestants favor a representation of Christ as transcended into heaven rather than suffering physically on the cross. Crucifixes became popular from the 6th century through the Middle Ages, which overlaps with the time of the Black Death.

Perhaps people who lost family members to the gruesome disease could relate directly to Christ's agonized face on the cross. The Plague cross was something that could be found in European countries hit hard by the Bubonic, or Black, Plague during the Medieval Era. A cross was placed on the doors and walls of those hit by the plague in order to mark who had the disease, often with the words "Lord have mercy upon us.

Stone crosses were also placed in locations out in the open, and they marked areas where people could meet to trade with one another, engage in politics, or have a religious service - hopefully in an airy space uninfected by disease. A third type of Plague cross stands in these same cities as a memorial for the people who lost their lives to the disease and were put in mass graves.

In some cases, the memorial is on the same spot as that mass grave, just erected later after the danger had passed. Others stand in city centers as reminders of the Plague. According to legend, Constantine the Great had a divine dream before an important battle, where he was instructed to write God's sign on the shields of all his soldier's by drawing the Chi Rho shape.

After Constantine, the symbol spread widely. It is still used today. The Tau cross is named after the Greek letter that it resembles - the letter T. It is associated with St. Francis and the Franciscans, as Francis wore the symbol regularly and used it as a seal for his letters. According to the readings in the Book of Ezekiel, those who were saved were marked with a T on their foreheads. This makes it a symbol of salvation and piety. There is still some active debate about St.

Peter's cross. A crucifix is also used by Christians as a symbol of love and respect for Jesus. Many people, including many Christians, cannot differentiate between cross and crucifix. This article attempts to highlight the differences between these two symbols and pieces of decoration that are being used by Christians in all parts of the world.

A cross is also known as Christian cross and is the best known symbol of Christianity. It has come to represent the victory of the good over the bad and the evil.

It is the symbol of the crucifixion of Christ and reminds us that He died for our salvation on this cross. A cross may be a piece of decoration these days in the form of a pendant or a showpiece hung on the walls and kept over tables, it actually is a symbol of Christianity meant to remind us of the sacrifice made by Jesus for the salvation of mankind.