Jerusalem cross

Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross, also known as Crusaders' cross, is a heraldic cross or Christian symbol consisting of a large Greek cross surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant.

Crusader's cross.

Flag of Georgia

The simpler form of the cross is known as the "Crusaders' Cross", because it was on the papal banner given to the Crusaders by Pope Urban II for the First Crusade, and became a symbol of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was first worn by Godfrey of Bouillon, the first leader of the Kingdom. The four smaller crosses are said to symbolize either the four books of the Gospel or the four directions in which the Word of Christ spread from Jerusalem. Alternatively, all five crosses can symbolize the five wounds of Christ during the Passion, the Pentateuch and, presumably, the first five Christian Churches. It is also used in the flag of Georgia. The Jerusalem Cross is also used as a symbol of the Catholic Kairos retreat, where participants are given the pendant at the end of their experience.

Its origin may come from Phoenicia, in the shape of a white, sometimes green, eight-pointed cross, known as Maltese Cross, each point representing a Beatitude, as the Venerable Order of St John teaches.

Unicode character

The Unicode character set has a character ☩, U+2629 CROSS OF JERUSALEM in the Miscellaneous Symbols table. However, the glyph associated with that character is a cross potent, and not a Jerusalem cross.

External links

• Jerusalem Cross Crusaders Cross, History Meaning.
• Jerusalem Cross Tattoo - What Does It Mean?