Tau Cross

The cross of St. Anthony, Antoniterkreuz, Taukreuz or Egyptian cross ( lat. crux commissâ, together gefügtes cross' ) has the shape of a T. At least from a heraldic point of view, the cross of St. Anthony, however, no cross, but it is the merger of a pile and a abgeledigten bar in continuous tincture. If it floats in the arms, it is also referred to as cross platform. If the pile exactly twice as long as the bar, talking heraldist instead of a cross of a crutch.

The term " Taukreuz " derives from the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet, Tau ( τ ), and the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tav ( ת ), from.

Use

In addition to Christian use

The T-shaped cross is a basic graphical symbol which - can be detected already in the earliest Stone Age rock carvings and paintings - undifferentiated in meaning. In the mythology of the ancient Orient the Taukreuz symbolizes perfection. Originally, it involves a sign of the Assyrian rulers, who wore a Taukreuz on the chest.

Christian symbolism

The mentioned in the Hebrew -Aramaic writings prophet Ezekiel recorded the forehead of the faithful with a Taukreuz ( taw, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which in the earlier document, the shape of a cross (X) had ) The Bible commentator John Gill mentioned some views here about and himself said that this letter was only chosen because it was the last letter of the alphabet. That in the Book of Revelation mentioned seal with which the faithful are in is sometimes hereby brought into association.

It was also on the winning circle with a Coptic cross early entrance into the Christian symbolism. Therefore, this cross shape is often known as Egyptian cross.

Later we find the form in monk with cross bars of wood. Saint Anthony the Great, also known as Anthony Abbas is usually depicted with this rod. It is his iconographic attribute, therefore, the name comes Anthony Cross. Named after Anthony Antoniterorden had primarily adopted nursing, here especially the poisoning victims by the alkaloids, such as ergotamine, ergot in. The Order for operation in the 14th century in Europe 350 hospitals. Therefore, there are attempts at interpretation, to view the Antoniterkreuz as a crutch by the ergot paralytic. The religious habit of St. Anthony was a black choir dress, over a black coat with light blue Taukreuz.

The Taukreuz was also the symbol of the Franciscan Order. The Founder Francis of Assisi took it as a sign of blessing as well as various declarations as a sign of humility and redemption, and signed by this symbol.

In Christian doctrine, the Taukreuz applies, inter alia as Bußzeichen. Pope Innocent III. Opened in 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council, in which he called for a crusade, in this sense. In the representation of the crucifixion scene, the crosses of the two thieves are often depicted on either side of the Crucified as Antonius crosses.

Examples

In the tradition of Antoniterklosters to Grünberg the University of Giessen since 1607 leads a blue Antoniterkreuz on a silver background as a coat of arms. Since 1957, therefore, also leads the county pouring the cross of St. Anthony in the arms, but in reverse colors.

The location of hard rock in the Westerwald leads the Antoniterkreuz with attached bells in the coat of arms.

The community Trub in the Upper Emmental, Canton Bern, Switzerland leads the coat of arms in 1125, founded and 1532 repealed former Benedictine monastery Trub.