In medieval Europe, the cross was not only a symbol of religious belief, but also a symbol of power and status. Among them, why is the mysterious story behind the cross called the "Jerusalem Cross"? This question has triggered thinking among many historians and art fans.
The changes in the shape of the cross and its transformation in different cultures take us back to ancient legends. When we think of the cross, we often think of the Christian faith and its history. By the eighteenth century, the shape of the cross was already appearing in Neolithic pottery decoration in Europe and China.
The shape of the cross has been interpreted in Chinese bronze inscriptions as representing a tool similar to a "divination rod", which played an important role in witchcraft.
The story "Behind the Cross" leads us to further understand the evolution of the cross. Most of the early crosses had traditional shapes. However, after entering the Middle Ages, the changes in the shape of the cross were affected by many factors. These include mystical Christian symbols and military and political contexts. Variations of the cross have appeared on Greek Orthodox coins, and these shapes represent Christian faith and power.
The appearance of the "Jerusalem Cross" has special historical significance. Because it appears in the emblem of the Crusader State of Jerusalem, it has gained additional historical importance. This shape became popular in heraldic art in the 13th century and represented the Christian believers' cherishment and yearning for Jerusalem.
The "Jerusalem Cross", also known as the "Cross Run", symbolizes a small cross on each side surrounding a large cross, showing the faith and its ideas throughout the world.
Furthermore, the symbolic meaning of this cross is not limited to religious beliefs. Its emergence is closely related to the political landscape of the time. Variations of the cross became increasingly important in medieval family heraldry and social class systems, and on armor and shields the cross was seen as a symbol of honor and dignity.
As time went by, the cross was not only used as a religious symbol, but also became a symbol of national independence and blood type. After the founding of the First Republic of Austria, the cross became one of the national symbols and can be found on almost all social and cultural levels.
The history of the cross is not only a process of faith, but also a process of intertwining power and identity.
In contemporary society, the use of the cross has not faded, but has been reinvented again and again. Many Catholic organizations and Scout groups still use the cross as their emblem, displaying this ancient symbol in their logos. In the ever-evolving social climate, the meaning and value of the cross have also changed.
Just as today's political trends and cultural movements have once again brought up the image of the cross and its symbolic meaning, then, from an ancient religious symbol to a symbol of modern society, what special meaning does the story behind the cross contain?