Cross Necklace

STERLING SILVER CROSS NECKLACE

The Cross necklace is a very popular and functional piece of Christian jewelry. Before we review some of the countless varieties of the cross necklace let's review a little history of the Cross necklace.

Some articles state that the Cross necklace started to become worn around 200 AD and used as a Christian icon. Other scholars and historians suggest it was 300 AD or later. But what is important to know, the cross necklace wasn't a real symbol of Christianity until several hundred years ofter the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ.

When the Cross became a symbol for the early Church. Some ancient texts tell of Christians crossing themselves either on the forehead or chest before the actual icon started taking off. Before the Christian Cross icon was popular and considered a Christian icon the Christian Fish was used for several hundred years. If fact it still is but the popularity has been reduced as the use of cross necklaces increased.

Most agree that the sign or symbol of the Cross was looked down upon because of the association of the cross with torture and death. Over the years this thinking gave way to the meaning of the cross as Christ's sacrifice, atonement and overcoming death. As this way of thinking gain popularity the sign of the fish gave way to the sign of the Cross, especially in the use of Churches and in the use of jewelry and necklaces.

As the Cross started to be used by various early Christian Churches the first style of the cross was the Tau cross which is a T shaped cross. Also the Greek Chi Ro symbol was used as a Cross. These different types of crosses were put into use as cross necklaces about that time.

Cross necklaces use many different styles of Crosses, some which represent various Christian Churches and others symbolically represent a few of the early Apostles and Saints.

 

Many Crosses are a combination of the traditional meaning of the Cross with various cultural influences. A good example of this is the Celtic Cross. The Celtic Cross is essentially a circle at the intersection of the two straight lines.

The Celtic cross necklace is very popular both today and it has been for over a few hundred years. The Ankh which was originally an Egyptian pagan symbol of life came to be known in Christian circles as the Cross of life or the Christian Copt cross necklace. This is why there are so many different types of cross necklaces.

The Cross necklaces are very important to Christians as a way to show their faith and to be fashionable as well.