The Cross and Crown is a traditional Christian symbol (a cross passing through a crown), appearing in many churches (especially Roman Catholic), that has also been used in heraldry.^[1][2] It is often interpreted as symbolizing the reward in heaven (the crown) coming after the trials in this life (the cross) (James 1:12).

The symbol appears in the seal of the Church of Christ, Scientist, where it is surrounded by the words "Heal the Sick, Cleanse the Lepers, Raise the Dead, Cast Out Demons", from the Gospel of Matthew, 10:8. In this symbol the crown stands for victory over death.

It is also featured in the banner of the Bible Students. The cross and crown were surrounded by bay laurel leaves, which first appeared in the January 1881 issue of Zion's Watch Tower.^[3] The Watchtower Society later discontinued using the cross and crown after the death of C.T Russell, viewing it as a "pagan symbol", although his gravesite is marked by a pyramid memorial erected by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society itself^[4][5] that pictures a Cross and Crown. Their current doctrine is that Jesus was not crucified, but staked.

The symbol is also used by the modern Masonic Knights Templar (a branch of Freemasonry that is explicitly Christian in orientation).^[6][7][8][9] It is thought, however, that it was never a prominent symbol of the historical military order (see Knights Templar Seal).^{[citation needed]} Many military orders during the Crusades adopted Coats of arms prominently featuring a cross (often a Maltese cross) in various contexts.

The Cross and Crown symbol also appears on the cover of The Power of the Cross, by Tim Lahaye.

The Royal Black Preceptory^{[clarification needed]} uses the Cross and Crown over a motto scroll featuring the words In hoc signo vinces (Latin for 'By this sign thou shalt conquer') as the symbol for their organization.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] External links