Cross
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de:Kreuz ja:十字 nl:kruis pt:cruz (símbolo) sv:kors
A Greek cross (all arms of equal length), straight and rotated by 45 degrees. |
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The bent cross or Swastika. |
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars crossing each other at a 90° angle, dividing one or two of the lines in half. It is one of the most ancient human symbols and crosses are symbols of many religions.
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Crosses as markings
- The Roman numeral for ten is X.
- The Chinese character for ten is 十 (see Chinese numerals).
- The dagger or obelus (†)
- The addition (or plus) sign (+) and the multiplication (or times) sign (×).
Crosses as emblems
- Any number of figures used in heraldry, eg.
- Lorraine Cross
- see heraldic cross
- The Papal cross used in ecclesiastical heraldry.
- Constantine's Labarum (also known as the monogram of Jesus Christ).
- The Red Cross as a symbol for medical care in most of the world, (the Red Crescent being used in Islamic countries).
- The Skull and crossbones.
Crosses as symbols
- The Christian cross identifies a Christian in most Christian groups and is a symbol for the Christian God (especially Jesus as a reminder of the redeeming sacrifice of the Crucifixion on the True Cross), or a Christian object or location in most Christianity groups.
- The High crosses of the free-standing Celtic crosses in Britain and Ireland.
- Odin's symbol in Norse mythology was a cross in a circle.
- The ancient Swastika (adopted later by the Nazi party).
- The Ancient Egyptian Ankh is also a type of cross, which is sometimes given a Latin name if it appears in specifically Christian contexts, as the Crux Ansata ("handled cross").
Crosses in flags
Several flags have Crosses, including all the nations of Scandinavia.
- Flag of Denmark (the Danebrogen)
- Flag of England
- Flag of Finland
- Flag of Greece
- Flag of Guernsey
- Flag of Iceland
- Flag of Malta
- Flag of Norway
- Flag of Scotland
- Flag of Sweden
- Flag of Switzerland
- Flag of the United Kingdom (the "Union Jack")
- Flag of Wallis and Futuna
The cross in heraldry
See heraldry.
Constellation
The Southern Cross is a constellation of the Southern Hemisphere.