The St. Andrew’s cross, Crux decussata, ([fig. 3]) is the same as the Greek cross, but turned to stand on two legs.
Fig. 4.
EGYPTIAN CROSS.
(Crux ansata).
The Key of Life.
The Crux ansata ([fig. 4]) according to Egyptian mythology, was Ankh, the emblem of Ka, the spiritual double of man. It was also said to indicate a union of Osiris and Isis, and was regarded as a symbol of the generative principle of nature.
The Tau cross ([fig. 5]), so called from its resemblance to the Greek letter of that name, is of uncertain, though ancient, origin. In Scandinavian mythology it passed under the name of “Thor’s hammer,” being therein confounded with the Swastika. It was also called St. Anthony’s cross for the Egyptian hermit of that name, and was always colored blue. Clarkson says this mark was received by the Mithracists on their foreheads at the time of their initiation. C. W. King, in his work entitled “Early Christian Numismatics” (p. 214), expresses the opinion that the Tau cross was placed on the foreheads of men who cry after abominations. (Ezekiel ix, 4.) It is spoken of as a phallic emblem.
Another variety of the cross appeared about the second century, composed of a union of the St. Andrew’s cross and the letter P ([fig. 6]), being the first two letters of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christus). This, with another variety containing all the foregoing letters, passed as the monogram of Christ ([fig. 6]).
As an instrument of execution, the cross, besides being the intersection of two beams with four projecting arms, was frequently of compound forms as
, on which the convicted person was fastened by the feet and hung head downward. Another form