A Cross of St. Peter is an inverted Latin cross

"Peter cross" redirects here. For other uses see Peter Cross (disambiguation)

The Cross of St. Peter (officially known as the Petrine Cross or colloquially Peter's Cross) is an inverted Latin cross traditionally used as a Christian symbol, but in recent times also used widely and incorrectly as an anti-Christ symbol, a common misconception. The correct symbolism for the anti-Christ is a inverted crucifix with Jesus Christ hung inverted upon the crucifix.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] In Christianity

The origin of this symbol comes from the Catholic tradition that St. Peter was crucified upside down, as told by Origen of Alexandria. It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Christ died (upright). As such, some Catholics use this cross as a symbol of humility and unworthiness in comparison to Christ.

According to Roman Catholicism, the Pope is St. Peter's successor as Bishop of Rome. Therefore the Papacy is often represented by symbols that are also used to represent Peter — one example being the Keys to Heaven, another the Petrine Cross. During Pope John Paul II's visit to Israel, he sat on a chair with the Cross of Peter cut into the back. ^[1]

The inverted cross is also one of the traditional symbols used by Petrine Orthodox Sebomenoi.

One of the most popular users of the Petrine Cross in pop culture today is Davey Havok of the punk rock band AFI. This is due to his early Catholic beliefs as a child.

[edit] Satanic and anti-Christian imagery

It has also often become associated with Satanism and anti-religious attitudes, as it is considered to represent the opposite of Christianity by inverting its primary symbol, the Latin Cross. As a result, this symbol has become very popular within anti-religion groups and among some black metal musicians. In films such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and The Omen, Petrine Crosses are displayed to represent Satan.

[edit] Controversy

As stated, in Roman Catholicism the Petrine Cross is not seen as Satanic in any way. However, an inverted crucifix (a Latin cross with an artistic depiction of the crucified body of Christ upon it) is seen as immensely disrespectful, and could be used to represent Satanic forces. The distinction between a Cross of Peter and upturned Crucifix is sometimes obscured, leading to confusion about the acceptability of each symbol. This was seen when controversy arose over the aforementioned Papal visit to Israel; pictures of the Pope sitting before a Petrine Cross were widely circulated on the Internet in an attempt to prove that the Catholic Church is associated with Satanism and the Antichrist. ^[2][3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Inverted Cross Issue
• St Peter - Catholic Encyclopedia
• An extensive research, in Spanish, about the Christian use of the symbol