The cross was the symbol of the new Christian state and symbolized Jesus Christ. The Jerusalem cross continued to reflect the Christian authority even after the overthrowing of the Crusaders from the holy land in 1291. The crosses within the Jerusalem cross represent the four Gospels and the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. But even before that, the cross was used in a divisive way. During the High Middle Ages, the cross became connected with a series of religious wars waged from Christian Europe to liberate the Holy Land from the grasp of Muslim rulers. As mentioned above, the Jerusalem cross is a symbol of the holy kingdom of Jerusalem. The cross was first adopted by the crusaders when they established Christian rule in the city. Is The Jerusalem Cross Offensive? Another interpretation that is given to the Jerusalem cross is that it actually represents Christ and the four evangelists (namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The centrality of Jesus means that he is the nucleus of the Gospel and that what the four evangelists wrote is indeed about the Lord.

Shape: The Papal Cross takes a shape of a long beam positioned upright across at a much shorter distance by three horizontal beams that become progressively smaller with each one as it goes up. The Jerusalem Cross is also the symbol of Kairos, a four day Jesuit retreat that is held for youth in high schools and parishes around the world. The four crosses are used to symbolize the motto of the retreat "Live the fourth". plate 3 (facing p. 16), no. 36: early Saxon sceat: diagonal cross with four dots in the four quadrants, no. 47: cross crosslet superimposed on a diagonal cross; Shape: This design depicts the Greek Cross symmetry in which there are four arms of equal length if joined together at their ends form a square. The Five Wounds: Surrounding the central cross are four smaller crosses, representing the five wounds of Christ—His hands, feet, and side—sustained during the crucifixion. These five crosses stand as a testament to Christ's suffering and His victory over death. They remind believers of His divine grace and the transformative power of His sacrifice.

12. Canterbury Cross

Later, it became the official coat of arms for the kingdom by the end of 13th century almost a decade before its fall in 1291 with the loss of Acre after it was destroyed by Memluks. The Appearance and Variations of The Crusader Cross Its weight during the Crusades was far from negligible, and the cross still serves today as an emblem of certain branches of Christianity. Its meaning too has undergone multiple evolution and, even today, several interpretations are acceptable. Whatever point of view we adopt, the cross of Jerusalem remains (and will remain) a powerful symbol of Christ and the Christian religion. Some other variations display all five crosses in the symbol as crosses potent or the main cross in the center as a Greek cross and smaller ones as crosses potent. There is also a fourth variant where all the crosses are shown as Greek crosses. A Crusader Cross, Also Known as Jerusalem Cross by Sidhe The Jerusalem Cross Meaning And Symbolism Popularity: In the 20th century, the symbol became associated with the Nazi Party and has since lost much of its meaning in the Western world. Still, it remains a symbol of cultural and religious significance throughout many Asian cultures today. Popularity: Currently, the Russian Orthodox Cross has emerged as an important symbol among the Orthodox Christian fraternity and is manifested in the display of this emblem in Russian Orthodox churches and religious artifacts.

While the symbol of the five-fold cross appears to originate in the 11th century, its association with the Kingdom of Jerusalem dates to the second half of the 13th century. History: A relevant heraldic cross for sure, more often it has been placed in crests and coats of arms throughout Europe. The Jerusalem Cross continues to hold great significance in the present day, resonating with people around the world. It is often displayed in churches, worn as jewelry, and incorporated into religious art and architecture. For believers, it serves as a personal reminder of their faith and connection to Jerusalem's spiritual heritage. Another similar interpretation suggests that the main cross represents Jesus Christ while the four crosslets represent the four evangelicals who wrote the gospels, namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A Crusader’s Cross by Sidhe As A Symbol of The Old and New Testaments The symbolism of the five-fold cross is variously given as the Five Wounds of Christ, Christ and the four evangelists, or Christ and the four quarters of the world. The symbolism of five crosses representing the Five Wounds is first recorded in the context of the consecration of the St Brelade's Church under the patronage of Robert of Normandy (before 1035); the crosses are incised in the church's altar stone.The Jerusalem Cross has also been incorporated into national and regional flags, particularly in contexts with historical ties to Jerusalem or the Crusades. For example, it is featured on the flags of Georgia and Amalfi, Italy, and it has been used in the coats of arms of several European cities and territories. The Unicode character set has a character ☩, U+2629 CROSS OF JERUSALEM in the Miscellaneous Symbols table. However, the glyph associated with that character according to the official Unicode character sheet is shown as a simple cross potent, and not a Jerusalem cross. History: They believed that Latin Cross was made a Christian symbol at very dawning of 4th century A.D. when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Those who chose to go and fight would wear a special garment, marked with a cross, over their daily clothes. They had “taken the cross” and came to be called “Crusaders.” History: The Staurogram’s existence is placed in the 2nd century, in early Christian papyrus texts. The image itself is said to depict the crucifixion, with the Rho representing Christ on the cross.