Forms of Cross Jewelry

There are a number of different forms of crosses.

1) The Latin or Passion Cross: This was originally rejected by Christians because it was a pagan symbol. It is used at times as a symbol for a church with a male oriented structure as in early societies it was a phallic symbol.

2) Cross Fourchee: This is a symbol similar in appearance to the passion cross, excepts all of its arms are the same length and forked on the ends. The design reflects Christian piety and was popular as a decorative cross in Medieval heraldry. The design is tied to the age-old trust in the pagan magic of the forked stick.

3) The Celtic Cross: This symbol is made up of a cross similar to that of a passion cross with a circle behind the intersection. It was originally a Hindu symbol of sexual union. The cross can be seen as a phallic symbol within a circle. When used by Christians, it is used as a grave marker. Other symbolism of this cross relates to the four directions. East is rebirth, youth, Spring and growth. West is knowledge, experience, Autumn and guidance. South is vitality, vigour, Summer and strength. North is wisdom, silence, Winter and death. The circle connects them in the cycle of life.

4) Wotan's Cross: This is similar to the Celtic Cross, except all of the arms of the cross fit within the circle. As well, it reflects similar symbolism, with the cross and circle as a symbol of cosmic union. The circle also stands for the earth horizon with the four directions meeting at the centre. It was also called the Sun Cross as the cross was seen as the sun encircled by the heavens (the circle).

5) Coptic Cross: This cross that resembles a sunburst also uses sun imagery in its symbolism. It was originally a sun symbol, with the heaven in the centre supported by four pillars in each direction to uphold the sky. Coptic Christians later added four nails between the arms of the cross to represent Christ with the heavenly deity, and that the blood on the nails had spread to the four corners of the world.

6) Cross Potent: This cross is two line intersecting and on the end of each arm an perpendicular bar caps it. This cross (as are many others) is associated with sky or sun Gods. This cross was a symbol in the ancient Mesopotamia

7) Cross Pommee: This cross is one where all the arms (equal in length) are capped with a circle. This cross represented the Assyrian god Asshur - who ruled time/seasons. He was pictured with the faces of a man, lion, eagle - his four totems.

8) The Greek Cross: This cross with all arms equal, was one of the original forms used by Christians. Before Christianity, the Greek cross was an emblem of Hecate as the Goddess of Crossroads. The vertical was the male and the horizontal was the female - making it a plus sign - one plus the other.

9) Cross Patee: This cross is a traditional Greek cross that become wider at the tips of the arms. It was popular in medieval heraldry. It was a combination of the Christian (Greek) cross and Wotan's. This cross, also known as Cross Formee, was often shown as the insignia of the god Frey.

10) Maltese Cross: This cross is similar to the cross Patee, but with pointed ends on the arms. It is originally from the island of Malta, home of one of the worlds oldest Goddess temples. This design directs attention to the centre, indicating the earth's geographical centre - the site of the Goddess's chief temple.

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