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Bible Dictionaries
Cross
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
or
The most important of Catholic emblems, symbolizing the Church's holy faith and the redemption of mankind, because Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer, died on a cross. It is used on Catholic churches, schools, institutions, altars, vestments, etc., to indicate that they are consecrated to God's service; and, when blessed, either as a cross or a crucifix, it becomes a sacramental. Crosses were used among many nations for the execution of criminals; but nevertheless in certain regions they were held in religious honor because of their symbolism. The swastika was emblematic of the revolutions of the sun and consequently of life; and the Egyptian crux ansata (cross with a handle) was a symbol of the reproductive powers of Nature. There are many varieties of crosses including,
- ordinary form, called the Latin cross;
- anchor-cross
- archiepiscopal or patriarchal cross
- Celtic cross
- consecration cross
- cross croslet
- crux ansata
- episcopal cross or pectoral cross
- forked cross or croix fourchée
- Greek cross
- Maltese cross
- processional cross
- "ragged cross"
- reversed cross
- Saint Andrew's or saltire cross
- swastika
- Tau cross
- See also:
- cross bearer
- cross in hand
- cross in the Mass
- cross week
- Cross Mass
- crucifix
- veneration of the cross
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Entry for 'Cross'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ncd/c/cross.html. 1910.
