Cross & Crucifix

Cross & Crucifix

The ‘christian’ crucifix derives from the Latin cruciare, meaning ‘to torture’, as does the word crucifix.  As Christ’s crucifixion was not about remembering His torture but rather a crossroad for Him to be resurrected, granting us eternal life.  I feel it important to delve into the various origins and meanings of the ‘cross’.

The equal length cross, as the one seen as a sacred emblem to Aphrodite, was originated in Greece, and was used ever since, especially to denote the four elements, Fire, Air, Water, Earth.  Later the cross came into being to denote direction, north, south, east, west, and thereby indicating wind.

The cross, as used in indigenous traditions, predates the arrival of Christians in Africa and the Americas.

To the Congolese, it is believed that the cross represents the eternal human cycle of birth and rebirth.

To suffer under ‘crossed conditions’, is to live with no direction.

To cross over is to find your path.

Sacred texts in finding protection while at your cross-roads can be found in the Book of Job and the Book of Psalm, especially Psalm 91.