In the Spotlight: The Jerusalem (Crusaders) Cross

• December 22, 2017 12:06 pm
• Published by Gallery Byzantium

A cross design compromised of five smaller crosses, the Jerusalem Cross (also known as the “Crusaders Cross”) was first used in 1099 as a coat of arms by Crusades leader Godfrey de Bouillon for the newly established Kingdom of Jerusalem. This event marked the recapture of Jerusalem and the Christian Holy Land by the First Crusade. “De Bouillon believed that the cross symbolized Jesus Christ and the city of Jerusalem [as] the root of Christianity.”

The Jerusalem Cross is also called the “Crusader’s Cross’ as it was displayed “on the papal banner given to the crusaders by Pope Urban II in the Middle Ages” .  “The Jerusalem Cross is sometimes confused with the Teutonic Cross, assigned by Pope Innocent III to the Teutonic Knights near the end of the 12th century. It can also be confused with St. Julian’s Cross.”

While the cross, as a whole, “…represents Christ’s command to spread the Gospel around the world,”  its design is open to interpretation.  Three of the most prominent interpretations say that the five crosses:

• Represent Christ (the center cross) and the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• Symbolize the spread of Christianity from its origins in the Holy Land (the center cross) to the four corners of the earth).  and the spread of Christianity from its origins in the Holy Land to the four corners of the earth.
• Suggest the five wounds of Christ on the cross (the “small crosses for the hands and feet, and the large central cross for the spear wound in His side.”)

Sources:

Jerusalem Cross – http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/jerusalem.html
Historical Origin of the Jerusalem Cross – https://blog.catholicfaithstore.com/history-significance-jerusalem-cros
Holy Land Treasures – http://www.holylandtreasuresonline.com/Store/Content/ResourceArticle/-3/1/23.html
Jerusalem Cross – http://www.ancient-symbols.com/symbols-directory/jerusalem-cross.html

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