A cross is one straight body laid at any angle across another, or a symbol of similar shape. Among the ancients a piece of wood fastened across a tree or upright post formed a cross, on which were executed criminals of the worst class. It had, therefore, a place analogous to that of the modern gallows as an instrument of infamous punishment until it acquired honour from the crucifixion of Christ. The custom of making the sign of the cross in memory of Christ may be traced to the 3rd century. Constantine had crosses erected in public places, palaces, and churches, and adopted it, according to a legend, as the device for a banner (labarum) in consequence of a dream representing it as the symbol of victory. In his time also Christians painted it at the entrance of their houses as a sign of their faith, and subsequently the churches were for the most part built in the form of a cross. It did not, however, become an object of adoration until after the alleged discovery of the true cross by the EmpressHelena in 326. Its adoption as the Christian symbol may be held to connect itself with the fact that it was used emblematically long before the Christian era, in the same way that traces of belief in a trinity, in a war in heaven, in a paradise, a flood, a Babel, an immaculate conception, and remission by the shedding of blood, are to be found diffused amongst widely sundered peoples. The general meaning attached to the sign appears to have been that of life and regeneration.
Since its adoption by Christianity it has undergone many modifications of shape, and has been employed in a variety of ways for ornaments, badges, heraldic bearings, etc. After the introduction of the cross into the military ensigns of the Crusaders its use in heraldry became frequent, and its form was varied more than that of any other heraldic ordinary, some of the varieties being of great beauty.
The name cross is also given to various architectural structures, of which a cross in stone was a prominent feature; thus we have market crosses, preaching crosses, monumental crosses, etc.
In the mythology of the Roman Catholic Church, immaculate conception is the doctrine that Mary became pregnant without having sexual intercourse (so called original sin). This doctrine came into favour in the 12th century, when, however, it was opposed by St Bernard, and it afterwards became a subject of vehement controversy between the Scotists, who supported, and the Thomists, who opposed it. In 1708 Clement XI appointed a festival to be celebrated throughout the church in honour of the immaculate conception. Since that time it was received in the Roman Church as an opinion, but not as an article of faith until the year 1854 when the pope issued a bull which made the immaculate conception a point of faith. Research Immaculate Conception
In Greek mythology, Semele was a daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia. She was beloved by Zeus and bore him Dionysus by an immaculate conception. Hera, the wife of Zeus, was so consumed by jealousy that she persuaded Semele to ask Zeus to show himself to her in all his majesty. Zeus thereupon appeared as the god of thunder, and Semele was consumed by lightning, but Zeus saved her unborn child, Dionysus. Dionysus then later retrieved Semele from Hades and she became the goddess Thyone. Research Semele
In Chinese mythology, Shing-moo was a nature goddess. She was the mother of perfect intelligence, and gave birth to a saviour son through an immaculate conception. Research Shing-moo
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Immaculate Conception
