Cross

an ancient gibbet, consisting essentially of an upright piece and a crosspiece. It preceded the modern gallows, and was in common use among the Romans at the time of the crucifixion of Christ. There are several forms. The Latin cross, or the cross of the crucifixion, consisted of a long upright beam, crossed by a transverse beam near the top. St. Andrew's cross has the form of an X. St. Anthony's cross has the form of the letter T. The Greek cross is like the Latin cross except that the four arms are of equal length. The Maltese cross consists of four triangular arms with their points to the center. Cathedrals are built in the form of a Latin or a Greek cross. The top, or choir, points invariably toward the east. The cross is the emblem of sorrow, suffering, and burden bearing. A crucifix is a cross bearing an effigy of Christ. It took the place of the plain cross about the eighth or ninth century. It is used above the altar in the Greek, the Roman, and in some Lutheran churches. See Crescent