the cross was a pagan symbol for death and it is worn by many pagans still today as a symbol of death. i know most christians will state most of there beliefs are pagan in origin anyways.
2007-02-19 05:00:35 · 21 answers · asked by Gazriel The God 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am sure that some Christians are aware that the cross is also a Pagan symbol, while others may be unaware. I imagine that it varies greatly from person to person.
Northern Europe has a number of pre-Christian solar crosses (the cross with the circle). Christians who live near these historical sites are probably well aware of the Pagan symbol.
In Persia, Mithraists used the cross as a symbol on tombs. The cross represented wind, water, sun, and earth and was placed on the tombs to protect the dead from these things. The most famous example of these tomb crosses is probably Naqsh-e Rustam in modern day Iran, where there are giant crosses carved out of the sides of cliff and the tombs are actually inside the crosses. However, most are simple tombs with crosses carved on the doors or coffins.
Crucifixion, of course, was a common method of execution in Pagan Rome. Jesus was certainly not the only person who was crucified. Most Christians are well aware of this.
Another example of a symbol which is used by both Pagans and Christians is the fish symbol with the pointed nose and open tail. The "Jesus fish" appears all over Turkey in cave shrines and on statues of goddesses that pre-date Christianity, particularly in and around Ephesus. Turned on its nose, the fish is a fertility symbol, depicting the female genitalia. Most Christians are probably not aware of this meaning of the vesica piscis.
2007-02-19 16:40:12 · answer #1 · answered by Geoffrey J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid you have it wrong, the cross was never used as a symbol of death by Pagans. The Pagan cross is a symbol of the sun, you'll often see it in depictions of sun wheels and the Celtic cross.
The only type of cross symbol that could conceivably be seen as a symbol of death is the crucifix with Jesus hanging from the cross, but even then as I'm sure Christians will rush to tell you they do not see it as a symbol of death but of resurrection.
2007-02-19 05:08:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are churches also pagan temples because they have four walls as the pagan temples had? It is a very simple symbol and crosses clearly predate our faith. So what? does that somehow change what it means to us? No, it does not. I have seen the swastika on the neck of Buddha statues in Asia. Does that make Buddhists Nazis or Nazis Buddhists? What is your point ? The cross is not a pagan symbol for us even if it may be to you or some other folks. Do you realize that? I hope so. Even if you do not, I hope you have a nice day.
2007-02-19 05:09:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually the Romans would use a crucifix as a very effective method for causing a slow and excruciatingly painful death. The cross, as you put it, symbolises the Roman torture device used to crucify Jesus, and isn't pagan at all. Pagan symbols similar to the cross. The Celtic Cross, which is what you're alluding to. And the Ancient Egyptian Ankh.
2016-03-29 02:52:45 · answer #4 · answered by Susan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cross is a pagan symbol. Pagans used a cross to crucify the Jews in order to further humiliate them. The Hebrews had their own rituals for justice and the cross was not one of them. Jesus death on the cross was redemption for us. Therefore, Christ defeated not only the Church leaders of His time but also the pagan followers.. Many religions wear empty crosses around their necks and say that Jesus rose from the cross. Jesus was laid in a tomb and the tomb was empty on the third day of the Jewish calendar of the time. We need to love Christ enough to see him on that cross so we can better appreciate what He did for us. No Corpus on the cross, no redemption.
2014-12-19 02:55:10 · answer #5 · answered by CONNIE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh no more of the Pagan symbol crap. So what the Pagans are good people. Just a little wacky but no more than any other religion. Get off the Pagans back will you before they put a curse on your head.
2007-02-19 05:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Which group of pagans uses a cross as a symbol of death? This is news to me.
2007-02-19 05:05:47 · answer #7 · answered by Kallan 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The cross is a pagan symbol that predates Christianity by thousands of years.
2007-02-19 05:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It wasn't a pagan symbol, it was a Roman method of torture, and it was made that way because a cross basically fits the human form.
Bit odd that Christians should venerate the shape that led to their Saviour's death, but...
2007-02-19 05:06:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do many hippies realize the symbol for peace they carry stood for anti-christian sentiment in ancient Rome? A symbols origin has some importance but the symbols current meaning is more important.
2007-02-19 05:13:00 · answer #10 · answered by Ajax 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋