Some old writers on symbolism saw in the Tau Cross the ideal precursor of the real cross—anticipatory, typical—the cross of the Old Testament. It is represented also in religious art as that on which the brazen serpent was hung.
St. Andrew's Cross is an emblem of humility as well as of suffering, the Apostle being said to have declared himself unworthy, even in death, to approach the image of his Master's sufferings, and therefore to have entreated that the instrument of his martyrdom might be of a different form. The heraldic term for this cross is saltire.
The Patriarchal Cross, formerly borne by Patriarchs and Archbishops; retained now in the Church of Rome, and worn on the robes of Cardinals. This cross is very common in Spain.
The Greek crosses are so infinite in variety, that I can only attempt to portray a very small number of them, selecting some of the most admired.
The most familiar to English eyes is the Cross of St. George, first impaled by Charles I.; to this was afterwards added (on the national flag) the white St. Andrew's, on the union with Scotland; and later still (1801) on the union with Ireland, St. Patrick's "red saltire." And thus the crosses of the "patron saints" peculiar to each kingdom became united in our national flag.
One of the best known among Greek crosses is the Maltese, borne by the Knights of Malta. It is often confounded with the following—