Ancient Symbolism of the Cross

Here I write about ancient symbolism associated with the cross. I compare modern Christian ideas of the cross with ancient ideas.

In previous blogs I've covered anthropology and archaeology but this is the first one where I delve into the subject of symbology.

The wheel cross or sun cross was associated with the sun. It represented power or control. You can still see this symbol today in many Christian churches.

Another cross symbol is the Egyptian Ankh. The Ankh symbolizes life, more specifically eternal life. Anybody who has ever been to an Egyptian exhibit at a museum has likely seen ancient pictures of figures holding an ankh. Isis is often depicted with an Ankh in hand. It was very common is ancient art and was sometimes worn as an amulet for protection the same way some modern Christians wear cross necklaces for protection. It is one of the most widely known symbols of ancient Egypt.

The most common cross symbol used by Christians today is the Latin cross or crucifix. Not only was this an ancient torture device used for crucifixion but its also symbolic of something. Before Christianity, the Latin cross symbolized the staff of Apollo, the sun god, and appears on ancient coinage. So it's actually a sun symbol, among other things.

Knowing that the cross is also a sun symbol, you'll never look at a church with a big cross the same way again.