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Ankh (Egyptian) Cross
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 Taken from the Egyptian hieroglyphics image meaning "life".
See Ankh Cross Pendants.
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Budded Cross
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 Represents the Holy Trinity with a trefoil at each end of the cross.
See Budded Cross Pendants.
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Byzantine Cross
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 Eastern Orthodox crosses are also known as Byzantine crosses or Saint Olga Crosses. They are worn by Eastern Orthodox Christians, both Greek and Russian. In addition to the slanted footrest, they feature the "IC" and "XC", which are shorthand in Greek for Jesus Christ. The "IC" is the first and last letter of ISOUS (Jesus); the squiggly line indicating that this is an abbreviation. The "XC" is the first and last letter of CHRISTOS (Christ).
See Orthodox Cross Pendants.
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Cara Vaca Cross
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 In Cara Vaca, Spain in 1231, a priest imprisoned during the Moor occupation was instructed by his captors to say Mass to satisfy their curiosity. The priest began, but had to stop when he realized a cross -- a required element -- was not present. The captors grew angry at the delay, but then, through an open window, a cross arrived: the Pectoral Cross of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, miraculously transported to the site by two angels.
See Cara Vaca Cross Pendants.
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Celtic Cross
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 Also called the Cross of Iona as it was probably taken from Ireland to the Island of Iona in the Irish Sea in the sixth century by Saint Columba. It appears throughout Europe at crossroads and market places. The circle around this cross symbolizes eternal life.
See Celtic Cross Pendants.
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Claddagh Cross
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 Richard Joyce, captured by pirates the week he was to have been married, made the original Claddagh, so he would never forget the girl he loved. The heart is for love, the crown for loyalty and the hands for friendship.
See Claddagh Cross Pendants.
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Crucifix
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 The Crucifix is a cross with the body of Jesus (corpus) hanging on it. The INRI inscription at the top is the Latin abbreviation for Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorem, which means, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Crosses with a representation of the body of Christ recall His death and resurrection.
See Crucifix Pendants.
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Dagmar Cross
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 This Byzantine-style cross features several holy images: the Blessed Virgin, Saint Basil, Saint John the Baptist and Saint John Chrysostom. In the center is Jesus Christ as ruler of the world; on the back is Christ crucified. The cross became especially associated with Queen Dagmar of Denmark, endearing it to the Danes, all the people of Scandinavia, and the Germans (the queen was from Bohemia). Not surprisingly, it has come to be a special symbol for Lutherans.
See Dagmar Cross Pendants.
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Dove
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 The dove is a beautiful symbol of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
See Holy Spirit Pendants.
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Eastern Orthodox Cross
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Eastern Orthodox crosses are also known as Byzantine crosses or Saint Olga Crosses. They are worn by Eastern Orthodox Christians, both Greek and Russian. In addition to the slanted footrest, they feature the "IC" and "XC", which are shorthand in Greek for Jesus Christ. The "IC" is the first and last letter of ISOUS (Jesus); the squiggly line indicating that this is an abbreviation. The "XC" is the first and last letter of CHRISTOS (Christ).
See Orthodox Cross Pendants.
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Fleur de Lis
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 Symbolizes the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven. A royal symbol of France.
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Four Way Cross
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 Also known as a four way medal or a cruciform. It is actually four medals in one: The Sacred Heart at the top (a scapular medal, with Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the back); Saint Christopher on the right; Miraculous at the bottom; and Saint Joseph on the left. The words "I am a Catholic, please call a priest" are often inscribed on the back to indicate to an emergency worker the wearer's desire for the last sacraments.
See Four-Way Medals.
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Greek Cross
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 The Greek cross, a cross of four equal lengths, is an ancient shape for a cross. It is still a favorite in many parts of the world. It originated from the Chi Rho, a popular monogram for Christ made of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. It was used by early Christians to disguise the cross when Christianity was illegal.
See Greek Cross Pendants.
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Huguenot Cross
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 The Huguenot Society of South Africa provides the following history:
"The Huguenot cross was designed and first manufactured by a certain Mystre of Nimes in 1688. It has as its predecessor the badge of the Hospitaler Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem also known as the Knights of Malta, a religious and Crusader order founded in Jerusalem in the 7th century AD. In 1308 they occupied the island of Rhodes after the collapse of the Crusader states, and in 1530 formed the order of the Knights of Malta after Rhodes was surrendered to the Ottoman Turks. They lived for 4 centuries on the island of Malta, hence the name Maltese Cross for the central part. (The Maltese Cross is generally associated with fire and is the symbol of protection of fire fighters in many countries). Other predecessors of the Huguenot Cross include the so-called Languedoc Cross, and the order decoration of the Order of the Holy Spirit which Henry III established on December 31st, 1578."
See Huguenot Cross Pendants.
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INRI
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 Stands for Jesus Nazarenus Rex ludaeorem, meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". Often see on the top of crucifix pendants.
See Crucifix Pendants.
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Iona Cross
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 It was probably taken from Ireland to the Island of Iona in the Irish Sea in the sixth century by Saint Columba. It appears throughout Europe at crossroads and market places.The circle around this cross symbolizes eternal life. Also called a Celtic Cross.
See Celtic Cross Pendants.
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Jerusalem Cross
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 Taken from the armorial trappings of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Consists of tau crosses which represent the Old Testament and four small Greek crosses which represent the fulfillment of the law in the gospels. Also known as a Crusader's cross.
See Jerusalem Cross Pendants.
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Latin Cross
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 One of the oldest forms of the cross, it is also the form of the true cross.
See Latin Cross Pendants.
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Maltese Cross
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 The symbol of the Knights of Malta and Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. Four spearheads converge at the center; the extensions represent the beatitudes. The Maltese Cross is generally associated with fire and is the symbol of protection of fire fighters in many countries.
See Maltese Cross Pendants.
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Mariner's Cross
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 In seafaring societies, the anchor means hope and security in a storm. Amidst the many uncertainties of life, it reminds us that faith is the only sure anchor. Entre las muchas incertidumbres de las vida nuestra fe es la unica ancla firme.
See Mariner's Cross Pendants.
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Methodist Cross
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 This distinctive design incorporating the flame of the Holy Spirit and the cross of Christ was adopted in 1968 as the official symbol of the United Methodist Church.
See Methodist Cross Pendants and Lapel Pins.
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Passion Cross
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 The points at the ends represent the suffering of Christ at His crucifixion.
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Phos Zoe Cross
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 In Greek, literally, "Light and Life". It beautifully describes Jesus Christ, the Light and Life of the world.
See Phos Zoe Cross Pendants.
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Saint Andrew Cross
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 Named after the Apostle Andrew, patron saint of Russia, Scotland and patron of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The top bar symbolizes the placard on which was written the charge against Jesus. The middle bar is where the hands were nailed. There are several explanations for the distinctive lower bar. Some say that it calls to mind the "X" shaped cross that Andrew was crucified on. Others say that the saint preached with a three bar cross, using the lower bar to illustrate that "those on the right side of Christ will go up to heaven, those on His left will descent into hell". Still others say that the slanted bar represents what was originally a support device on crosses of crucifixion, put there to increase the discomfort of the victim; the slant developed to suggest an isometric view of it, and was eventually lowered to suggest a footrest.
See St. Andrew Cross Pendants.
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Saint Bridget's Cross
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 Saint Brigid was born in 450 in Faughart in County Louth as daughter from a slave and Dubhtach the slave owner. She traveled to give relief to the poor and ill. Brigid made the first Saint Brigid's Cross from straw. Saint Brigid's Crosses were hung in houses and barns to protect the buildings against fire and lightning and the inhabitants from illness and epidemics.
See St. Bridget's Cross Pendants.
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Saint Olga Cross
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Eastern Orthodox crosses are also known as Byzantine crosses or Saint Olga Crosses. They are worn by Eastern Orthodox Christians, both Greek and Russian. In addition to the slanted footrest, they feature the "IC" and "XC", which are shorthand in Greek for Jesus Christ. The "IC" is the first and last letter of ISOUS (Jesus); the squiggly line indicating that this is an abbreviation. The "XC" is the first and last letter of CHRISTOS (Christ).
See Orthodox Cross Pendants.
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San Damiano Cross
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See San Damiano Cross Pendants.
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Tau Cross
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 Tau, a letter of the alphabet in both Hebrew and Greek which represented the totality of a person's life and came to symbolize the cross of crucifixion. St. Francis of Assisi was especially fond of the Tau as a symbol, signing correspondence with it in place of his own signature.
See Tau Cross Pendants.
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May we suggest...
