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The Papal Cross Symbol

This page is about the meaning, origin and characteristic of the symbol, emblem, seal, sign, logo or flag: The Papal Cross Symbol.

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The papal cross is an emblem for the office of the Pope in ecclesiastical heraldry.

It is depicted as a staff with three horizontal bars near the top, in diminishing order of length as the top is approached. It is thus analogous to the two-barred archiepiscopal cross used in heraldry to indicate an archbishop, and seems to have been used precisely to indicate an ecclesiastical rank still higher than that of archbishop. In the past, this design of the cross was often used in ecclesiastical heraldry as a distinctive mark of his office. It was often merely an artistic device, as use of a staff or crosier was not part of the traditional papal insignia. However, at least one staff surmounted with a papal cross does exist.

Symbolism connected with the papal powers have been attached to the three crossbars, similar to the symbolism attached to the three bands on the papal tiara.

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Graphical characteristics:
Symmetric, Open shape, Monochrome, Contains straight lines, Has crossing lines.

Category: Religious Symbols.

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    "The Papal Cross Symbol." Symbols.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.symbols.com/symbol/the-papal-cross-symbol>.

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