what did the cross symbolize?

Question

before it became a christian symbol?

Answer 1

Lots of things.

The Ankh is a cruciform symbol predating Christianity by many centuries. It represents life, being a graphical representation of the male and female symbols.

Crosses in one form or another are located throughout the world. Some standing stone formations are in the shape of a cross.

A cross is a natural representation of the seasons as a year is divided into four parts, separated by the equinoxes and the solstices.

That's a few, off the top of the head.

--Dee

Answer 2

In some cultures it represented Eternal Life. The famous Egyptian Ankh is a cross. (I wonder which bathroom that one would represent). I'm not exactly sure what it symbolized for Tammuz though. There has been some archeological findings that the cross was the symbol of Tammuz, who was written about in the Bible. I believe the part in the Bible shows women at a wall, wailing. This was supposedly a common practice for the women who followed Tammuz. I was told, the women wailed for the death of Tammuz while the men waited for his return. I didn't do an in-depth study on Tammuz. Not my kind of thing. *smile*

Answer 3

the cross was the method of execution by the Romans, some were nailed, some were tied, and some were tied and nailed, and from what I understand some were placed upside down also, but it was ultimately a death sentence. It only became a symbol after Jesus was crucified, and at that it's only a reminder of His suffering for us.

Answer 4

The cross was used as a means to execute lower class Roman citizens in a very public and humiliating way for crimes. Even after Jesus' crucifixion, the cross was seen as a very painful reminder of what He endured. So it wasn't until around the 3rd century A.D. that Christians began using it.

Answer 5

I don't know how to really explain it but it has something to do with the 12 zodiac signs; for example if you look at the clock it is divided into four main parts: 12, 3, 6, and 9 and if you make a mark at all those points and then make a straight line connecting them to the middle of the circle, you will have a cross; *catches breath*

also you may not know this but the circle and 360 degrees is very important in our lives; more than you may ever know; one reason why the clock is circle

Answer 6

There are at least twenty other crucified man-gods and most of them are from the same areas. Some get hung out to dry on trees, some are on a beam, a stake or a cross.
http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/kersey_graves/16/chap29.html
This article is much better supported and refers to the meaning of the cross more directly.
http://www.truthbeknown.com/kcrucified_4.htm

and from a more classical Christian commentary.
http://www.thewordsofeternallife.com/cross.html

Answer 7

Its from the Ankh in Egyptian Culture which represents, power & Ressurection from a rebirth and use of a certain energy created during sexual activity that one can utilize this energy to reach new heights of power and understanding......If your wondering what the Ankh looks like its a cross with a loop at the top....Something meant to mean power....was warped and changed to mean suffering....by the powers that be b/c they want to keep the people under control.....and that control is executed by the use of fear.....

Answer 8

At the time it symbolized that "in this town, this is how we prosecute criminals"

it shows up in a lot cultures,

Answer 9

Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

a curse

Answer 10

Same thing as a hanging rope did in the wild west.