Written by Gustave - Updated on Oct 28, 2024
Cross necklaces are timeless pieces of jewelry with a special meaning, especially for Christians. Much more than mere accessories, Christian cross jewelry symbolizes faith in God and belonging to a religion.
Before choosing the type of cross necklace you need, it's important to understand what it really means. You've come to the right place, as this article explains in greater detail the meaning of Christian Cross Necklaces.
You'll find :
- The Cross as a religious symbol
- The difference between the Cross and the Crucifix
- The different types of Christian Cross
- The meaning of Christian Cross necklaces
Let's get to the heart of the matter!
1) The Cross: a religious symbol
We see the sign of the cross on church steeples, hung on the wall of a religious house, worn around the neck or on a ring. However, many don't know what the use of the cross really means. 🤔 There's also much debate about whether or not it's appropriate to wear religious jewelry. Like cross necklaces or crucifix necklaces, for example. We'll come back to this below.
The use of Latin crosses, Orthodox crosses, Celtic crosses and other crosses stems first and foremost from a desire to feel closer to God. The cross pendant is mostly worn with a leather, steel, silver or gold chain around the neck by many people. The purpose is to make the wearer feel united with the Holy Spirit.
To understand whether or not wearing a Christian cross is acceptable, we need to understand the history of each cross and its meaning. And more specifically, what it means in our personal lives.
Many see the cross as a symbol reminding us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the beloved Saviour who saved mankind. Because it was God's will, and Jesus willingly went to the cross to take upon himself all the sins of the world. This is one of the primary reasons why many Christians wear the sacred pendant of the Son of God. Keep in mind, that by wearing the cross of Christ, God will watch over you wherever you are and protect you from the devil Satan! 🙏
2) Difference between Cross and Crucifix
The words Cross and Crucifix are often used interchangeably that it's important to put a point on in order to understand the meaning of each of these two terms. Especially when you want to wear one of these sacred religious jewels. Both crosses and crucifixes are signs of faith and are worn by many Christians and non-Christians alike for personal and cultural reasons.
A. Cross necklace
The Latin Cross is a simple cross that does not bear the figure of Jesus Christ crucified. This cross is the most widespread religious symbol of Christianity in the world. In fact, this cross is mostly worn around the neck, inside or outside clothing. It is used to emphasize the resurrection of Jesus, since the cross is not represented by the figure of Christ. Just like this sublime cross pendant necklace featuring the Latin cross pendant in question.
B. Cross of Jesus necklace (crucifix)
The Crucifix , also known as the Jesus Cross, is a powerful symbol representing Jesus who died on the cross. The image of Christ's body on the cross is used to represent his sacrifice to redeem mankind. Many Christians, especially Catholics and Orthodox, wear this cross on their necklaces to purify their souls and thank the Lord for his surrender on the cross. The word “crucifix” is an abbreviation of crucifixion. It was the term used by the Romans when a malefactor was held hostage and had to be nailed to a wooden cross as punishment.
3) Celtic cross necklace
Also known as the nimbed cross, the Celtic cross is a symbol of Celtic Christianity. This representation of the cross first appeared on the island of Ireland in the early Middle Ages. Following the arrival of the Celts from 500 BC onwards, this magnificent symbol featuring several models of the cross spread across the Irish landscape.
The construction of the Celtic cross features a traditional cross accented by a circle around the intersection of the arms and the stem. Subject to many different interpretations, the Celtic Cross is seen as a representation of knowledge, strength and compassion for dealing with life's ups and downs. The four arms of the cross are considered to represent the four directions of compassions and the four elements: Fire, Earth, Air and Water. It commemorates in the representation of our spirit, soul, body and heart. The central ring of the Celtic cross evokes the symbol of infinite love. It's a symbol of endless love for God.
The Celtic Cross is rich in powerful representation and perfectly reflects the hopes and ambitions of the Celts. That's why we've made sure to pay homage to this Christian cross by sharing our Celtic cross necklaces with you. Each piece of these wonderful necklaces is dedicated to ensuring the image of the Celtic cross thanks to the precision and detail with which they have been designed! 🕈
4) Orthodox Cross Necklace
The Russian Orthodox Cross is widely used as the oldest and most revered mark of Orthodox Christianity. Because of its traditional design, a classical Orthodox cross is also known as a Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Greek, Byzantine or Oriental cross. It is considered an authentic symbol of the Orthodox faith.
One of the questions most frequently asked by all Christians, especially Catholics and Protestants, is why is the Orthodox Cross represented by three bars? To answer this question in detail, we invite you to read our article on the Origin of the Orthodox Cross, which tells the story of the birth of this sublime Christian symbol.
The various models of the Orthodox Cross are widely used as symbols to keep the faith of Christ conditioned. Many Christians use this sacred Eastern Orthodox pendant on their necklaces. Whether for men or women, each Orthodox cross is a true religious accessory to keep close to the Son of God. 🙇
5) Jerusalem Cross necklace
This cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world of Christianity. The Jerusalem Cross consists of a large central cross with four smaller Greek crosses in each quadrant. Also known as the Crusader Cross, the Jerusalem Cross dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing Christianity in the region. Even after the overthrow of the Crusader state in 1291, the cross remained a symbol of Jerusalem for Christians and became the emblem of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Today, the sign remains the emblem of the Order and the symbol of all those working to preserve the Christianity of Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem cross is thought to represent many things. Historians note that the four little Crosses represent the four Gospels of : Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The four crosses may also represent the four corners of the earth, where Jesus wanted his word to be proclaimed by his disciples. Other historians believe that the four small crosses represent the four wounds of Jesus' hands and feet. While the large cross represents Christ's pierced heart. 💘
The eye-catching design of the Jerusalem Cross makes it a popular choice among those looking for a unique way to express their faith. It's a perfect gem for anyone looking for a cross that reminds them of Christ's connection to the Holy Land. This cross is worn in a variety of ways, most notably on necklaces like this magnificent Jerusalem Cross Necklace.
6) Lorraine Cross Necklace
The Lorraine Cross is one of the heraldic arms of Lorraine in eastern France. It was originally considered a symbol of Joan of Arc, a native of Lorraine. In the 19th century, the emblems of France became part of Joan of Arc's iconographic attributes. This religious cross became a symbol of memory and resistance for the French homeland after the 1870 war against the German state.
The Cross of Lorraine was officially prescribed as the emblem of Free France by a regulation dated June 5, 1941. At the end of the war, it was often associated with the V of Victory. 🙋♂️
Wearing this emblem is a symbol of gratitude to the French homeland, and especially to the soldiers who wore the Cross of Lorraine as a religious symbol and sacred good luck charm. Wearing this cross will emphasize your compassion for the French homeland.
7) Patriarchal Cross necklace
The Patriarchal Cross is a variant of the Christian cross, a religious symbol of Christianity. Similar to the Latin cross we know, the patriarchal cross has a smaller crossbar placed above the main one, so that both crossbars are near the top. Sometimes, the patriarchal cross has a short sloping crossbar near the foot, like one of the models of the Orthodox cross.
This cross appeared in large numbers in the Byzantine Empire in the 10th century. It was long thought that the Pope had given it to St. Stephen as a symbol of the Apostolic Kingdom of Hungary. The double-barred cross has been a main feature of the Kingdom of Hungary's jeweled coat of arms since 1190, appearing during the reign of King Béla III, who was raised at the Byzantine court. The cross floats in coats of arms and on coins from this period. 👛
The entire scope of the Patriarchal Cross lies in the fact that it is an ancient Christian symbol with roots that covet all the breadth of the Christian faith. Few know it and this is one of the reasons why wearing this unique cross will enrich your life especially if you find on this symbol a link between you and God.💞
8) Inverted Cross Necklace: Saint Peter
As its name suggests, an Inverted Cross is simply an upside-down Latin cross. A person hanging on this cross would be positioned with his or her head upside down. The most recognizable figure to have been crucified in this way was Saint Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. For centuries, the upside-down Cross was considered a Christian symbol, based on an ancient tradition according to which the apostle Peter was crucified upside down. One version of the story says that Peter, facing martyrdom by crucifixion, asked for his cross to be reversed because he felt unworthy to die in the same way as Christ. The inverted cross, sometimes called St. Peter's Cross or Petrine Cross, thus became a symbol of humility.
Several black metal bands use an inverted cross to draw attention to their alleged devotion to Satan. 👺 Even if the image of this sacred symbol has been modified over time, we mustn't forget that this cross is first and foremost a symbol of Christianity! We bless Saint Peter for having given his soul and sacrificed himself on the cross in order to always spread the divine word of the God of heaven.
Rich in emotion, each necklace of this sublime pendant is a unique way to carry within you all the glory emitted by Peter wanting, like us, to bless our God. Our inverted cross necklace collection features six of these superb crosses, all precisely sculpted to give the best representation of this sacred religious sign!
9) Horizontal Cross Necklace
A trend in religious jewelry appearing almost everywhere and among many female celebrities is the cross in horizontal (lateral) position. This type of cross is linked to a steel, gold or silver chain at its upper and lower points. The cross thus hangs horizontally on its side, rather than vertically up and down. This pendant, mostly found on necklaces, is a very popular contemporary trend. Many wonder what this new symbol means. This piece of jewelry has many different interpretations, which we will identify and which will also depend on who wears it. 🙇♀️
A. Interpretation 1: Jesus carrying the Cross
The first interpretation preferred by women who wear this pendant on their necklace is that of Jesus carrying the Cross. If you notice carefully, Jesus didn't carry the cross in a vertical position, but in an inclined position. For many, this symbol recalls the sacrifice, pain and humiliation of our Lord. It allows us to remember Jesus' sacrifice and honor his courage.
B. Interpretation 2: God's salvation
Many people see the horizontal cross as a symbol of Jesus saving his people when he reached the top of the hill. As his work was finished, the cross was placed on the ground. He no longer had to carry the weight of the cross and thus all the sins of his people. Unlike the inverted cross, the lateral cross has no negative connotations for the Christian faith. It is perfectly respectful to wear this cross on one's necklace as a sign of faith in Christ. 🙇♀️
C. Interpretation 3: Form of worship (celebrity)
For some, the lateral cross is merely a fashion trend. Indeed, the horizontal cross has been used extensively in fashion in recent years. It's also becoming increasingly important in the world of jewelry. Many celebrities wearing the lateral cross consider it a sacred and elegant piece to wear.
As stated above, the very definition of who wears the horizontal cross can have religious implications that differ from person to person. The lateral cross is a relatively new approach to this type of jewelry, and it's mainly thanks to celebrities that it has rapidly gained in popularity. 👸🏼
10) A meaning that's up to you!
In this article, you've seen that Christian Cross necklaces are jewels with a meaning relating to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and therefore to Redemption. You've also discovered that, in reality, there are several types of Christian cross, each with its own origin and meaning. Now you know which Christian cross necklace to choose according to your preferences and the meaning that most appeals to you. In any case, wearing this jewel marks your faith in our Lord and your gratitude to His infinite Love.
