Nestorian cross

The Nestorian cross is associated with the Church of the East. It is composed of a cross similar to the Maltese cross, with four arms of roughly equal length which narrow in width towards the center of the cross. In Eastern Christian art in China, these crosses are sometimes simplified and depicted as resting on a lotus flower or on a stylized cloud.

Cross of the Assyrian Church of the East

The cross of the Assyrian Church of the East has three dots lining the left cross-bar, three dots lining the right cross-bar, two dots lining the top bar, and one dot on the bottom bar. These nine dots represent the nine orders of ministry within the church. Between the two dots on the top bar is a crown with three prongs, representing the Trinity.^[1]

Gallery

Cross of the Assyrian Church of the East
Nestorian headstone
Nestorian cross found in China
Nestorian cross found in China
Two Nestorian crosses found in China
The cross from the Nestorian Stele
Nestorian altar-type grave monument shows a stone grave marker with cross symbol on its flat top
Saint Thomas Christian cross from India
Nestorian headstone rubbing with cross-on-lotus symbol
Rubbing of a Nestorian cross at the Cross Temple, Fangshan
Rubbing of a Nestorian cross at the Cross Temple, Fangshan
Cross in the headdress of a Christian figure, detail of the Mogao Christian painting, 9th century.
Relief of a cross at Rabban Hormizd Monastery
Yuan dynasty stone-carved Nestorian cross from Cross Temple, Fangshan, Beijing (then called Khanbaliq)
Modern rendition of the Nestorian Cross at Huizhong Church, Shanghai

References

^ "Educational Page". Mar Shimun Bar-Sabbai Parish. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.

External links

Mark W. Brown Nestorian Cross Collection (Drew University): Overview Images
Image: a gilt copper Nestorian plaque dated back to Tang dynasty
http://www.usfca.edu/ricci/events/lotusandcross/index.htm^{[permanent dead link]}

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[1] "Educational Page". Mar Shimun Bar-Sabbai Parish. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.

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