Chi Rho

The monogram of Christ ΧΡ, or ☧, also Chi -Rho or Constantinian Cross called, formerly Christogram, according to the cross and the fish is the most commonly used symbol for Jesus Christ. Especially in late antiquity it was widespread. It is since the 2nd century AD by Christians used to represent their faith in Jesus Christ and in order to recognize each other.

For the earliest Christian Emblem - before the cross - was the monogram of Christ, because the ligature ΧΡ the first two letters of the word Χριστός ( " Christos " ) connects, so it is an abbreviation of the title " Christ ". The similarity of the Greek letter Χ (chi ) and Ρ ( rho ) with Latin letters X and P led in later times, the interpretation of the symbol as a short form of the Latin Pax (Peace) or Pax Christi. She expressed that Christ is peace and peace is Christianity from.

Constantine the Great is said, by a vision, was in told him, " In this sign you will conquer " to have ordered his army to paint it on their shields and the recently introduced as a banner Labarum. This was done either before the decisive battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius 312 or before the decisive battle against Licinius at Chrysopolis.

The Unicode symbol of Christ monogram is U 2627 ☧.

Other Christ monograms

Another, much later monogram of Christ, IHS is representing the letter sequence ( transcription of the first two Greek letters iota, eta and the last letter sigma of the name " Jesus ").