Why are crosses so fascinating?

Question

I think crosses are so beautiful and mysterious. I always thougth that they were some type of status symbol. I was given a very fancy rosary on the day of my baptism. It had ruby beads and a gold cross.

Answer 1

A cross is a symbol reminding us that Jesus was crusified and died so that people could be forgiven for their sins, I have a few crosses around and wear them too. Your rosary beads sound beautiful. Treasure them and if they are not blessed go ask a priest to bless them.

Answer 2

I am always surprised that crosses are the primary symbol of the religion. I think Christianity is the only religion where the instrument of torture for their savior is the most recognized symbol of the faith. Baffling. I have seen pretty ones and I have seen gruesome ones. I guess it invokes a particular moment in history, but I would think that there are more uplifting symbols of the religion (or there could have been, at least).

Peace!

Answer 3

the cross symbol is far older than Christianity.

THE SOLAR CROSS
the circular shape of the sun which emphasises the ever
recurring cyclical nature of the seasons is the origin of the
this neolithic symbol. it combines a cross within a circle
and is the simplest conceivable representation of the union
of opposed polarities. probably the oldest symbol in the
world, it appeared in asian, american, european, and indian art
from the dawn of history.

the same symbol is also called
THE WHEEL CROSS
there are two types of wheel crosses:
the four-armed freestanding cross representing shadows
cast by the rising and setting sun at the two solstices,
and the six-armed cross created by addition of the equinoctial
sunrise and sunset shadows.
the one with four spokes, which wheels in time lost their rim,
became ‘real’ crosses

THE TAU CROSS
in ancient egypt the tau was used, along with a type of
hammer-headed cross and the swastika, to mark sacred water
jars and, in a country where the erect phallus was everywhere
in evidence as a religious icon.
the tau may have developed from the widespread and
ancient symbol of the sun god (solar cross / wheel cross)
- which may itself have evolved into a hammer, possibly
connected with the growth in importance of the smith in later
iron age times. the act of hammering white-hot ingots
of metal into functional or sacred artefacts was in itself an
act of creation with a phallic implication.
it is also known to be a symbol of the roman god mithras and
the greek attis (in the shape of the greek letter ‘T’).
the tau was known as the ‘cross’ of the christian old testament,
supposed to be the mark made by faithful israelites to
distinguish them from those of their kinsfolk who had lapsed
into paganism.

for more history of the cross symbol click on url.

Answer 4

The cross represents a very powerful thing, and this very power is hidden to all except those who know of the source behind it.

From 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Answer 5

in my personal opinion, i don't find crosses fascinating at all. i believe God doesn't either. i see it this way: imagine if you had a son who went to prison because he was wrongly accused. then they decide to give him the death penalty for it and he is supposed to go onto the electric chair. would you go around carrying a neclace with an electric chair attached to it? would you find them fascinating? now how do you think God feels?

Answer 6

they are icons that people have to shoe their faith.