66 Different Types of Crosses (& What They Mean)

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A thorough guide to Christian & non-Christian crosses
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Everybody has seen crosses of various styles and designs, but what if we told you each cross has its own history, symbolic value, and meaning? In this article, we’ll explore all of the major crosses—from the crosses found in the origins of Christianity to modern symbols invented by ecumenical movements and more!

5 Common Christian Crosses

  • Latin cross
  • Greek cross
  • Celtic cross
  • Orthodox cross
  • Tau cross
Section 1 of 9:

Foundational Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Latin Cross The Latin Cross is what most people think of when they picture a traditional Christian cross. It’s also known as the “crux immissa” and becomes the St. Peter’s Cross when flipped upside down. It’s a simple design that represents the cross Jesus died on. [1]
    • Fun fact: The Latin Cross is the inspiration for the floor plan in many ancient Christian churches and cathedrals. The next time you step into a Catholic Church, note the shape of the pews!
    • The Latin Cross actually predates Christianity by several thousand years. It’s found in all kinds of pagan artifacts and even Roman armor.
  2. 2
    Greek Cross The Greek Cross was popular in Christian churches starting in the 4th century, and today it’s the national symbol of Greece, Tonga, and Switzerland. It’s the same thing as the Latin Cross, except the four arms are equal length.
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  3. 3
    Orthodox Cross The Orthodox Cross is the same as the Latin Cross except it has two extra horizontal bars. One at the top, which represents the plank where Jesus’s executioners stapled a board reading “INRI” (shorthand for the Latin words for “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”). The bottom bar is slanted to the right. It represents the footrest where Jesus rested his feet, but it also tilts in the direction of the thief who was executed alongside Jesus and repented.
    • The Orthodox Cross has been a popular symbol in Russia for centuries. Since the Russian Orthodox Church is one of the three major organized Churches (the others are the Greek Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church), it is considered a foundational symbol.
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Section 2 of 9:

Early Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Staurogram The staurogram basically looks like a Latin Cross except the central vertical bar is a P. It’s a combination of the Greek letters tau (T) and rho (P). The origins are a little murky, but it’s possible that the cross resonated with early Christians because it physically resembles a person hanging on a cross (if you imagine the loop on the P to represent a human head).
  2. 2
    Iota-Chi Cross The Iota-Chi Cross looks like the letter X laid over a vertical bar. It’s supposed to represent the first letters of Jesus (the “I” in “Ιησοῦς”) and Christ (the “X” in “ΧριστÏŒς”) in Greek, which are laid over one another. It was first found on the tombs of Christians in the 3rd century.
  3. 3
    Chi-Rho Also known as the Cross of Constantine, the Chi-Rho cross combines two Greek letters: chi (X) and rho (P). In the gaps on the two sides of the X, you can see the Greek signs for alpha and omega. The story goes that Constantine saw this cross in a vision he had before a battle. After winning the battle, Constantine converted to Christianity and legalized it.
  4. 4
    Anchor Cross The Anchor Cross is just a Latin Cross with the crown of an Anchor at the bottom of it. It’s an early Christian symbol meant to symbolize Christ as a figure of hope, security, and strength.
    • The Anchor Cross is sometimes called St. Clement’s Cross, as St. Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and being thrown off of a boat.
  5. 5
    Tau Cross To people today, the Tau Cross just looks like a letter T. For early Christians though, it was a core Christian symbol. It’s based on the typical cross that the Romans used to crucify people. Since early Christians were often persecuted and Christ was also crucified, it was a popular symbol. [2]
    • The Tau Cross is sometimes called St. Anthony’s Cross. Also, it’s highly associated with the Franciscan Order.
  6. 6
    Crucifix Cross The crucifix cross is just a Latin cross with the outline of Jesus on it. It dates back to the 6th century CE, and was meant to emphasize Christ’s sacrifice.
  7. 7
    Early Coptic Cross Around the 4th century CE, Christians in Egypt began using their own cross. It depicted a tau with a “bullseye” on top (a circle with a cross inside of it. It symbolized unity and resembled a person holding their hands out to hug someone.
  8. 8
    Byzantine Cross The Byzantine Cross looks a lot like a traditional Latin Cross, except the arms on the end of the Byzantine Cross are all flared out. It was a popular early cross in the Orthodox Church and dates all the way back to the 6th century CE.
  9. 9
    Golgotha Cross The Golgotha Cross, also known as the Calvary Cross, is perhaps the most visually complicated cross on this list. It’s meant to represent the location of Christ’s death, and the design is covered in Greek shorthand for various phrases and religious markers. The skull and crossbones at the bottom represent Adam’s resting site and the fall of man.
  10. 10
    Fylfot Cross Also known as the Gammadion Cross, the Fylfot Cross looks like a Greek Cross except the tips at the end of each bar are bent at a 90-degree angle. Unfortunately, this makes it look like a Swastika. The cross likely developed in the British Isles among early Christians, and it became popular with Germanic tribes in Northern Europe.
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Section 3 of 9:

Christian Crosses with Specific References

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  1. 1
    Marian Cross The Marian Cross depicts a traditional Latin Cross with an M at the base. The M represents Mary, the Mother of God. It was popularized by Pope John Paul II, who put the symbol on his coat of arms. [3]
    • There isn’t one “official” Marian Cross. Any cross with an M at the base of the design is considered a Marian Cross.
  2. 2
    The Drop Cross The Drop Cross contains small droplets or circles at the end of each arm. Sometimes, the droplets fall off the horizontal bar. The cross is meant to symbolize Christ’s blood. It’s a popular symbol that is often included on coffins and tombs in early history, where it would serve as a reminder of atonement and suffering.
  3. 3
    Patriarchal Cross The Patriarchal Cross looks identical to the Orthodox Cross except there’s no slanted line at the bottom. In this design, the bar at the top of the cross symbolizes the authority of the church. It was a popular design in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
  4. 4
    Papal Cross The Papal Cross is a simple Latin Cross with two horizontal bars that sit above the middle line. The lines are increasingly smaller as they go up towards the top of the design. It is reserved specifically for the Pope, and it represents the Pope’s authority over the church. [4]
    • Fun fact: Each bar represents one realm where the Pope has authority: the church, the world, and heaven.
  5. 5
    Calvary Cross The Calvary Cross is a Patriarchal Cross with three steps at the bottom. The steps are meant to symbolize Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. It also symbolizes the virtue of faith and the importance of hope.
  6. 6
    Sun Cross The Sun Cross (which actually appears twice on this list for interesting reasons we’ll cover later) depicts a cross enclosed entirely in a circle. It symbolizes the way faith surrounds you when you’re committed to God.
  7. 7
    Sacred Heart The Sacred Heart depicts a traditional red heart with flames coming out of the top. Sticking out above the flames is a Latin Cross. Encircled around the heart is a crown of thorns. It’s associated with the Roman Catholic Church (especially churches dedicated to St. Margaret Mary) and represents the passion, death, and rebirth of Jesus. [5]
  8. 8
    Resurrection Cross The Resurrection Cross is a relatively modern design. It depicts a traditional Latin Cross, but with a white tunic draped around the center with the two ends hanging down symmetrically on the sides. It symbolizes Jesus’s resurrection, which is why you’ll often see this cross at Easter services.
    • There is no single “correct” design for the Resurrection Cross. So long as there’s a tunic draped over a cross, it can count.
  9. 9
    Cross of Salem The Cross of Salem has three horizontal bars, each spaced equidistantly from one another. It’s supposed to symbolize peace, unity, and the connection between all members of the faith.
  10. 10
    Rose Cross The Rose Cross contains a (normally very ornamental) Latin Cross with a large, red rose in the middle of it. It’s the symbol of the Rosicrucians, a mystical and Pagan-inspired philosophy that embraced Christianity. [6]
  11. 11
    Passion Cross The Passion Cross is three elements: nails, a crown of thorns, and a spear. They’re arranged in the shape of a Latin Cross with the thorns set in a circle around the center of the cross. It’s meant to remind believers of the actual pain and suffering Christ endured on behalf of fellow Christians.
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Section 4 of 9:

Christian Saint Crosses

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  1. 1
    St. Peter’s Cross The Cross of St. Peter is just an upside-down Latin Cross. It’s a reference to St. Peter’s belief that he wasn’t worthy of being executed the same way Christ was, so he asked to be killed upside down. It’s a reminder of
    • A lot of people mistake this cross for something diabolical. They assume it’s a symbol of the Satanic church or some kind of Pagan symbol . In reality, it has been a Catholic symbol.
  2. 2
    St. Thomas Cross Also known as the Nasrani Menorah Cross, this elaborate symbol depicts a cross sitting atop a lotus and an altar. It’s associated with St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, and the first Saint to travel to India and spread Christianity.
    • St. Thomas’s Cross might be the most openly polyfaith cross in the Christian tradition. It’s rare for Christian symbols to incorporate symbols from other religions on purpose, but the lotus is a central motif in Hinduism.
  3. 3
    St. Andrew’s Cross Also known as a Saltire, X-cross or crux decussata, this heraldic symbol is a simple letter X. This cross actually predates St. Andrew, but it’s most closely associated with him now., since he was supposedly crucified on an X-shaped cross.
  4. 4
    St. Julian Cross St. Julian’s Cross is similar to St. Andrew’s Cross. It has the iconic X shape, but it also has flared or pointy ends on each bar. Sometimes, there are small perpendicular lines on each bar instead. St. Julian may not have actually existed, so it’s hard to know the origin of this association. [7]
  5. 5
    St. James Cross The St. James Cross is shaped like a sword with a large blade sticking out from the bottom bar. On the other ends, there are typically flared flourishes. It’s associated with St. James the Greater, the patron saint of Spain. It became a symbol of the Order of Santiago, which fought violently in the Reconquista—a Christian attempt to reclaim Iberia from the Moors. [8]
  6. 6
    St. Phillip's Cross St. Phillip’s Cross is just a sideways Latin Cross. It’s a direct reference to St. Phillip’s martyrdom—he was crucified sideways.
  7. 7
    St. Brigid’s Cross St. Brigid’s Cross is typically woven out of straw or grass. The off-centered boxy design is the other iconic design element here. It’s associated with St. Brigid, an important figure in Irish history. On St. Brigid’s feast day, many Irish families weave these crosses as a way to honor her memory.
  8. 8
    St. George’s Cross St. George’s Cross (also known as the actual flag of England) is a red cross on a white background. The Cross was adopted by England as its official sigil in 1190 CE. The design is based on Saint George’s armor. He was the patron saint of war, and an important figure in the Christian Crusades. [9]
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Section 5 of 9:

Heraldic Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Templar Cross Traditionally depicted in red, the Templar Cross is the symbol of Knights Templar, a Catholic military group that participated in the Crusades. It looks like a traditional Latin Cross, but with triangular flourishes on the end of each bar.
    • What is a heraldic cross? A heraldic cross is a stylish cross that is used in heraldry, which is a symbolic system used to make coats of arms. Every cross in this section was either featured on the coat of arms or armor of an organized group, or simply ended up being a popular design feature for coats of arms.
  2. 2
    Voided Cross The Voided Cross, also known as the Empty Cross, is a traditional Latin Cross with the middle of each bar hollowed out. It’s meant to represent spiritual openness and the humility of the person displaying the cross.
  3. 3
    Pattée Cross The Pattée Cross is a thick, compressed cross with flared sides. It dates back to 12th century Europe, where crusaders and knights often displayed it (the Teutonic Knights were famously associated with it). It’s the basis for the design of the Nazi Iron Cross, which makes it a relatively unpopular design these days.
  4. 4
    Fleury Cross The end of each bar on this cross has a fleur-de-lis. It represents purity and royalty. This was a common cross among French aristocrats and Holy Orders.
  5. 5
    Order of Christ Cross The Portuguese Order of Christ was established in 1319, and they took this cross as their primary sigil. It’s also commonly put on Portuguese naval flags. It’s notable for its hollow interior and the dark bars at the end of each length on the cross.
  6. 6
    Moline Cross The Moline Cross is supposed to look like a millrind—the iron support for a millstone. It symbolizes balance and resoluteness. It was a popular cross in English heraldry, although it’s not associated with any specific order.
  7. 7
    Bottony Cross The Bottony Cross has three round knobs at the end of each bar, meant to represent the trinity of Christ. Benedictine monks were especially fond of this symbol. [10] “Bottony” refers to “budded” (as in the buds on plants), so the cross is often associated with nature, growth, and freedom.
  8. 8
    Potent Cross The Cross Potent is a Greek Cross with T-shaped ends on each bar. It was the symbol for many Crusaders, as it is associated with power, might, and righteous retribution.
    • Fun fact: Potent Crosses appear on Byzantine coins as early as 400 CE. [11]
  9. 9
    Fitchy Cross The Fitchy Cross is identical to the Potent Cross except each bar extends past the edge of the T and the bottom bar is sharpened to a point. It was popular among pilgrims and was often placed on the graves of crusaders. The Kings of Aragon displayed this flag on their coats of arms as well. [12]
  10. 10
    Pommée Cross Also known as the Bezant Cross, the Pommée Cross is a Bottony Cross with only a single knob on each end of the bar (as opposed to three knobs). The knobs represent the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Knights often incorporated the design into their coats of arms. [13]
    • Fun fact: The knob on the end of each bar is often said to represent an apple. This might be the origin of the mistaken belief that the fruit in the Book of Genesis that Adam and Eve ate was actually an apple. [14]
  11. 11
    Raguly Cross The Raguly Cross basically looks like a normal Greek Cross but made out of barbed wire. On each bar, there are these pointed shapes that extend out of the body of the main cross. It symbolized suffering and was common on coats of arms associated with executioners, torturers, and inquisitors. [15]
  12. 12
    Gothic Cross The Gothic Cross has expressive, intricate designs—usually, pointed edges and arches on each bar. It was popular in the Victorian era, which was sort of the end of the heraldry system’s popularity. [16]
  13. 13
    Pisan Cross The Pisan Cross is a Greek Cross with flared bars and three knobs at the end of each arm. It’s an important symbol for Pisa, a small republic (turned region) that helped defend Christianity in Sardinia. [17]
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Section 6 of 9:

Regional Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Lauburu Cross Also known as the Basque Cross, this is perhaps the weirdest-looking cross on the list. It’s a loopy, swirly design that looks nothing like a traditional cross, and it’s closely associated with the Basque people.
  2. 2
    Coptic Cross The Coptic Cross is a highly elaborate sigil for Coptics—Christians from Egypt who have been worshiping Christ for the past 17 centuries. You’ll often see this cross tattooed on the wrists of Coptic Christians, a sign of faith in a Muslim-majority part of the world. [18]
  3. 3
    Armenian Cross This angular and expressive design goes back to the 800s CE, where it was found primarily in Armenia. Many stone monuments still exist today from that period, and the cross is often inscribed alongside dedications, scripture, and other symbols on stone monuments.
  4. 4
    Ethiopian Cross Ethiopian Crosses are exceptionally complex designs that resemble mandalas. The Ethiopian Cross is popular especially in the Tewahedo tradition, a community-focused Christian sect in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
  5. 5
    Macedonian Cross The Macedonian Cross is a square with a single loooping cross shape that bends in and out of it. It’s common in Eastern Orthodox churces, especially in the Balkans.
  6. 6
    Canterbury Cross Going back to 850 CE, the Canterbury Cross is an expressive circular cross with a hollow center and a bold outline. It’s used by the Anglican Communion, a sect of Christianity that combines modern Christian beliefs with early Anglo-Saxon practices. [19]
  7. 7
    Scandinavian Cross Ever wonder why Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland all have the exact same flag just with different colors? It’s the Scandinavian Cross! It’s the cross that Nordic tribes displayed and used in pre-modern practices going back all the way to 1300 CE. [20]
  8. 8
    Jerusalem Cross Also known as the Crusader’s Cross, this cross contains a Greek Cross with T-shaped ends on each bar. Then, in each of the four quadrants of the negative space, there’s an additional little cross. It represents Christ and the four Gospels, and it’s closely connected to the city of Jerusalem. [21]
  9. 9
    Celtic Cross The Celtic Cross is immediately recognizable for most people in the West, since it’s a very common Celtic symbol . Variations of the Christian Celtic Cross go all the way back to the 10th century CE, and they’re closely associated with Ireland and Irish sects of Christianity.
  10. 10
    Lorraine Cross The Cross of Lorraine has two horizontal bars spaced evenly along a central bar. It originated in Hungary, but Joan of Arc championed the symbol and used it as a unifying symbol for her army. In World War II, the French forces under Charles de Gaulle used the cross on their uniforms. As a result, it’s considered a de facto cross for the French.
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Section 7 of 9:

Modern Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Ecumenical Cross Ecumenism is a movement in modern Christianity that centers on the belief that different sects of Christianity should work together and recognize the value in one another. Their symbol is a cross in a boat, symbolizing the movement’s desire to explore and bridge gaps. [22]
  2. 2
    Cross of Camargue The Cross of Camargue is an Anchor Cross with a heart embedded in the middle of it. The bars at the top end in small tridents. It’s meant to represent hope, charity, and faith. The cross was commissioned by the French region of Camargue.
  3. 3
    Cross of the Order of Saint John The Order of Saint John is a modern organization that was chartered by Queen Victoria in 1888. Their job is to engage in charity by helping the sick and poor. Their organization uses a distinct cross made of four triangular shapes set on top of a web. [23]
  4. 4
    Off-Center Cross of Christian Universalism The Off-Center Cross is a small Latin Cross set into the left, interior side of a circle. It was invented in 1946 in a hotel room where a group of Universalist ministers developed it. The circle represents the universalism of faith, and the cross’s off-center location suggests Christianity is just one of many possible faiths that fit inside of that circle.
  5. 5
    Broken Cross The Broken Cross is typically presented as a symbol of protest by people who have major issues with the way modern Christians behave. There is no single “correct” broken cross design.
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Section 8 of 9:

Non-Christian Crosses

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  1. 1
    Scientology Cross The Cross of Scientology is surprisingly similar to a traditional Christian cross. It looks like a regular Latin Cross with a miniature St. Andrew’s Cross behind the center. The eight points of the cross are supposed to represent the eight parts of a human life.
  2. 2
    Ankh The Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol. It depicts a cross with a loop at the top where the top of the vertical arm usually goes. It represents eternal life, reincarnation, and the authority of the Sun as a life-giving force.
  3. 3
    Swastika Cross The Swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol that was, very unfortunately, co-opted by the Nazis. Before it was stolen though, it was a powerful Hindu symbol that went back over 10,000 years. It represented rebirth, the four Vedas, and the four goals of life in the Hindu tradition. [24]
  4. 4
    Troll Cross A troll cross refers to a rudimentary looping cross shape that you carve into an object or building to ward off evil spirits. They originate in Scandinavia, and Medievel Pagans in Nordic lands often used the shape in their jewelry. [25]
  5. 5
    Vajra Cross The Vajra is an elaborate cross shape with an elegant stone in the middle and large, looping, whimsical flourishes. It’s a common symbol in Tibet and certain Hindu circles where it stands in for divine power and the union of male/female. [26]
  6. 6
    Sun Cross Not to be confused with the Christian Sun Cross, the Pagan Sun Cross is the same shape (a + sign in the middle of a circle), but with a very different meaning. The four quadrants represent the four seasons, all created by the Sun’s presence. It’s an important symbol in Wicca and other forms of Pagan worship. [27]
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Section 9 of 9:

The Importance of the Cross

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  1. The cross was a way for early Christians to identify one another. Father Scott Bradley, a Catholic Priest, explains: "The sign of the cross has deep historical significance…Being a Christian could be dangerous, and many early Christians were martyred. As a way to discreetly identify each other, early Christians developed a sign—initially just a small cross on the forehead. This acted as a sort of secret gesture to indicate to another person that it was safe to speak freely about their faith. Over time, this evolved into the full sign of the cross that we use today." [28]

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/latin-cross.htm
      2. ↑ https://savellireligious.com/blogs/blog/tau-meaning-and-origin
      3. ↑ https://www.sjp2academy.com/about-us/meaning-of-logos/
      4. ↑ https://symbolikon.com/downloads/papal-cross-christianity/
      5. ↑ https://www.gaudiummag.com/p/the-sacred-heart-city-of-refuge
      6. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rosicrucians
      7. ↑ https://mbird.com/literature/short-story-wednesdays-the-legend-of-st-julian-the-hospitaller-by-gustave-flaubert/
      8. ↑ https://vivecamino.com/en/cruz-de-santiago-what-is-its-origin-what-does-it-mean-no-683/
      9. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-England
      1. ↑ https://historicjamestowne.org/collections/artifacts/latin-cross-bottony-crucifix/
      2. ↑ https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2012.22.b
      3. ↑ https://mistholme.com/dictionary/cross-fitchy-fitched-fitched-foot/
      4. ↑ https://seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/pommee.html
      5. ↑ https://seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/pommee.html
      6. ↑ https://seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/rugged.html
      7. ↑ https://victorianweb.org/history/heraldry/introduction.html
      8. ↑ https://www.nss-sports.com/en/lifestyle/28760/pisa-cross-adidas-jersey
      9. ↑ https://egyptianstreets.com/2022/02/28/the-story-behind-the-coptic-cross-tattoo/
      10. ↑ https://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/what-is-the-anglican-communion.aspx
      11. ↑ https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/a-brief-history-of-the-scandinavian-and-nordic-flags/
      12. ↑ https://www.holylandtreasuresonline.com/Store/Content/ResourceArticle/17/The-History-and-Meaning-of-the-Jerusalem-Cross-or-the-Crusader-s-Cross.html
      13. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/ecumenism
      14. ↑ https://www.stjohninternational.org/who-we-are/order-of-chivalry/
      15. ↑ https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/HAFN_21_023-SwastikaBrochure_r9-reader.pdf
      16. ↑ https://www.shieldmaidenssanctum.com/blog/2024/11/13/what-is-a-troll-cross
      17. ↑ https://www.rajiveanand.com/the-crossed-vajra
      18. ↑ https://lufolk.com/en-us/blogs/paganism-and-folklore/meaning-behind-the-sun-cross
      19. ↑ Fr. Scott Bailey. Catholic Priest. Expert Interview

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