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Winter Solstice Cross - M. Snyder |
The
cross is a symbol familiar to most everyone in one form or another. The
equal-armed cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, appearing tens of
thousands of years BC. It was the first symbol for direction: north, south,
east, and west. Over time, one arm of the cross was lengthened to differentiate
the directions, the extended arm of the cross denoting south. The circle on the
familiar Celtic cross would more accurately be an ellipse and symbolizes the
position of the sun at the winter solstice when the sun is at its lowest point,
above the Tropic of Cancer.
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Left to right: directional cross, southern cross, winter solstice cross, solar cross, Neolithic solar cross |
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Another cross symbol is the Chi-Rho. One legend says Emperor Constantine had a vision before the battle against Maxentius. According to this legend Contantine’s premonition was that he would be victorious if he put this cross on the standards of his soldiers, symbolizing his recognition of the one true religion - Christianity. The Maltese cross is a firefighter’s badge of honor.
According to one legend, this dates back to battles between the Saracens and the Knights Templar on the Island of Malta. The Saracens developed a fierce weapon which hurled fireballs at their enemies. The Knights banded together to fight this new weapon and saved many lives, eventually driving their attackers out. The island of Malta was given to the brave knights to reward their courage. The eight pointed cross has been on their flag and used as a symbol of firefighters since.
The
cross has evolved from a symbol for four directions into a symbol of sacrifice
and salvation. The Southern Cross with the extended arm is used by Christians
to symbolize the sacrifice of Christ for salvation, imaged with or without the
Savior upon it. In Rennes le Chateau, France there is a southern cross with a
mother and child imaged upon it where the arms of the cross intersect. Madonna
and Child are not here crucified, but glorified, surrounded by radial lines.
About Symbologist Michelle Snyder
Michelle
earned her post-graduate degree at the University of Wales, decoding
prehistoric images, mythology, folklore, and fairy tales and tracing
them to their roots. She is an
author, columnist, publisher, artist, and teacher. Her artwork, inspired
by her love of symbolism and folklore, has appeared in galleries from
Massachusetts to California. Michelle is co-owner of White Knight
Studio.
Symbology ReVision: Unlocking Secret Knowledge
Symbology: Hidden in Plain Sight
Symbology: My Art and Symbols
Symbology: My Art and Symbols
Symbology: Fairy Tales Uncovered
Symbology: Decoding Classic Images
Symbology: World of Symbols
The Fairy Tales: Once-Upon-A-Time Lessons First Book
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