The Symbolism And Hidden Messages Of Different Crosses

The most common depiction of the cross will be the Christian cross where Jesus Christ was crucified. The symbol is used ever since to ward off Demons and serve as a holy symbol of how Jesus died for the sins of mankind. But it turned out that different crosses were depicted in many cultures around the world, in the New World and the Old World and in the West to the East. These different depictions of crosses can either invoke the force of good or the force of evil.

 

The Christian Cross

Image: Christian Brotherhood

The Christian Cross is the most well-known cross in this list of crosses around the world. It is commonly depicted in two most common ways, a figure of Jesus Christ on the cross can be seen in rosaries, altars, and crucifixes. Some of these crosses can be also seen without Christs' body. Other than a symbol of worship, it is also used to ward off evil entities, fallen angels, or demons. 

The Swastika or Hooked Cross

Image: 5th Voice News

This controversial symbol is a subject of censorship in many facets of culture, literature, and pop culture because of its links to Nazism. Before its controversial usage and its preconceived notion that it is a symbol of evil, in Eastern religions and cultures, the hooked cross or swastika is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. There are 2 common forms of the swastika, the left-facing hooked cross is a common symbol of positive vibes or emotions, and a right-facing one is a symbol used by the Nazis. 

Chakana

Image: Pinterest

The Chakana or Incan cross is the only cross from the New World that is featured in this list. This symbol by the Inca is unique since it is often sported adorned with spirals or whole to represent the Incan conception of the universe. The three levels of reality that were represented by this Inca cross the levels are Uqhu Pacha, the underworld, Kay Pacha, the world of mortals, and Hanan Pacha, the realm of the deities. 

The Rose Cross

Image: Ancient Pages

The symbol of the Rosy Cross is the main symbol of the Rosicrucian secret society. Early Christians used the symbol of the Rosy Cross and faded into obscurity for centuries until the Rosicrucian brotherhood took the symbol as part of their belief system. The rose symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and how he sacrificed himself for the redemption of mankind. Other secret societies also used the Rosy Cross in their rites and tenets such as the Hermetic Brotherhood of the Golden Dawn.


Satan's Cross

The Leviathan's Cross is often called Satan's cross along with the more popular symbol of the inverted cross. Compared to the earlier entry of this list, the Leviathan's cross is relatively new, since the Knights of Templar are the first ones to use the symbol. Early alchemists also marveled at the underlying meaning of the cross since it sported the symbol of infinity under and inverted cross. 

The Ankh

Image: Moyo Africa

The Ankh or Egyptian cross is a symbol of life according to Ancient Egyptians. It is also considered as the 'key of life' and the symbol acts as a microcosmic representation of the journey of a mortal from birth to death or from the womb to tomb. In another usage, the Ankh is also a fertility symbol often associated with Isis. This symbol was popularized by the anime or manga series Yu-Gi-Oh and became more recognized in the past decade. 

In the words of Carl Gustav Jung 'It is an absolute irrational fact to me that vital energy should have anything to do with a cross or the number four. I don't why it is perceived in such a form; I only know that the cross has always meant mana or life power'. It makes sense since there is one unifying symbolism of these crosses from different parts of the globe, these symbols dealt with the process of life and death from the earliest example such as the Ankh up to the Leviathan's Cross.