Jerusalem cross

The Jerusalem Cross ( also the Jerusalem cross) is a common or Greek cross, which is placed in the four quadrants again each a small Greek cross. In some representations takes the place of the large center cross a Kruck cross ( cross with cross bars). The Jerusalem cross is interpreted as Christ and the four evangelists or the five wounds of Christ. In older heraldic works, it is denoted by Hierosolymitanisches cross.

History

It was first used in 1099 by the Crusaders Godfrey of Bouillon as a coat of arms. He was since 1089 Duke of Lower Lorraine ( corresponding to today's Flemish part of Belgium ) and one of the leaders of the First Crusade and founded the Kingdom of Jerusalem, was wearing as his regent the title of Protector of the Holy Sepulchre ( he wore the royal title yet). He made the coat of arms of the Duchy of Bouillon, Belgian crutch cross with four additional Greek crosses, the symbol and the state coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. There it was used in gold to silver to 1291. In the 14th century the cross in red paint was under King Giorgi V the beam ends until the 15th century to the flag of Georgia. The most noble Jerusalem pilgrims who were knighted at the Holy grave chosen it in the 14th century also to their emblem, similar to the canons of the Holy grave.

In the 19th century, the Jerusalem cross ( in the original golden form) was a sign of Wingolf. 1898 founded Kaiser Wilhelm II after his trip to Palestine a Jerusalem Cross said Order. In the Weimar Republic took over (according to the Wingolf ) the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Jerusalem Cross as a church banner, as many communities refused to flags the Republican black-red- gold. Today, the Jerusalem cross is used as the logo of the German Lutheran Church and the German Association of the Holy Land. Since January 2004, a red Jerusalem cross is again the flag of Georgia.

In the city of Jerusalem itself, the Jerusalem Cross is at least as visible as the emblem of the city. Especially the city's churches like to use this subject, as they were mostly built by the Crusaders. Similarly, we find the Jerusalem cross in the crusader fortress in Akko. Nowadays, it is also a popular symbol on souvenirs of the city of Jerusalem (Keychain, etc.). But even outside of Jerusalem, there is the cross at many churches throughout the area of the former Kingdom of Jerusalem, especially at the Maronite churches and monasteries in Lebanon.

Variants of the Jerusalem cross

Variant of the Jerusalem Cross in square position

Coat of Arms of the Latin Empire with haloed crosses ( this also additionally again with four Greek crosses )

Uses of the Jerusalem cross

Historical examples

Coat of arms of Charles V

Coat of arms of Joseph II

Testoon (Silver, 6:02 g) of Mary Stuart. First period, type III, dated 1556

Coat of Arms of the House of Gonzaga, 1575

Coat of Arms of King of the Two Sicilies, 1816-1861

Coat of arms of Alfonso XIII. of Spain. (1931 variant )

Contemporary examples

Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy grave of Jerusalem in red

Logo of the German Protestant Church Congress

Book cover of a Norwegian Bible