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The
Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Crusaders Cross and the
Five-Fold Cross, is comprised of Greek and Tau crosses. Four Tau
crosses meet in the center creating a Greek cross. Four
additional Greek crosses, one in each corner, make a total of
five crosses.
The
symbolism of the five crosses has been explained in a variety of
ways. Here are a few:
The
five crosses represent the five wounds Jesus received on the
cross. The large center cross represents the wound in Jesus' side
while the four smaller crosses represent the wounds he received
in his hands and feet.
The
large center cross represents Jesus and the four smaller crosses
represent the four Gospel writers. The four smaller crosses
represent the four corners of the earth to which the gospel is
being taken or for which Jesus died.
The
five crosses represent the five nations active in the Crusades: Great
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The five crosses represent
the five principalities of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem
Cross was employed as an emblem by the Crusaders.
Godfrey de Bouillon, who
became the first ruler of Jerusalem after it was captured from the Moslems
in 1099, wore the Jerusalem Cross as his symbol.
Jerusalem
Cross: In year 1099 the Jerusalem Cross was used as a coat of
arms for the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem. During the Crusades, it was
referred to as the "Crusaders Cross". The four small crosses are
symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four corners of the
earth, beginning in Jerusalem; the large cross symbolizes the person
of Christ. Godfrey de Bouillon, who became the first ruler of
Jerusalem after it was captured in 1099, wore the Jerusalem Cross as
his symbol.

”. . . and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is
not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39
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