What is a Byzantine cross?

Question

I told my friend I thought her necklace was gorgeous, and she told me it's a byzantine cross. She said she's going to get me one because I like it so much.

What exactly is it?

Answer 1

Byzantium began when the fourth century Emperor, St. Constantine, Christianized the Roman Empire and established Constantinople in Byzantium as the capital. During this era a synthesis of classical Greek, Roman, and Christian culture gave birth to unparalleled achievements in art, architecture, and jewelry. Many of these achievements can be seen in the magnificent Byzantine jewelry and Byzantine cross pendants found in archeological digs. Gallery Byzantium offers an extensively researched selection of authentic Byzantine crosses and Byzantine jewelry medallions. Many of these Byzantine cross pendants portray ancient symbols of Christian faith and spirituality within the cross design. Our Byzantine crosses are all available in 14kt gold and sterling silver and some are set with semi-precious stones. Visit our Greek Orthodox cross section for more Greek crosses with Byzantine design.

Answer 2

The Byzantine Cross has three crossbars, The topmost one the titulum, the placard written by Pontius Pilate, the middle the crossbar from which Jesus hung by nails driven through the base of His hands at the wrist, and the bottom a short bar set at an angle which supported the feet. Iconography is not comparable to Western art, on the Byzantine Cross angels holding instruments of the passion are frequently shown with the siddurum, the napkin which covered the face of Jesus and took its imprint in the center on the topmost bar, Jesus is not depicted suspended and dying but with arms outstretched as if He were supporting the cross and standing with both feet separate on the footboard from which the blood flows down to the skull of Adam at the base.

Answer 3

The design of the cross symbol in to eastern Orthodoxy is very specific and I believe that the design was decided centuries ago by some Byzantine Emperor.

All of the Orthodox churches (Greek, Russian, etc.) will follow the same design.

On of the main difference between the Orthodox cross and the Latin crucifix is that the body of Jesus is never shown on the cross (it is empty). In Orthodox art, Jesus is almost always shown either as a child, or seated upon a throne in Heaven. I don't believe that eastern Orthodox churches put that much emphasis on the suffering of Christ as the Roman Catholics do.

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BTW, the Byzantine cross symbol has apparently changed over time, so exactly "what" the cross looks like seems to depend on the time period that it was modeled after.

Answer 4

Its a stylized cross.

Answer 5

Hard to describe...so - here: