What Is the Jerusalem Cross?

[Michie]

The five elements of the Jerusalem Cross have been given different spiritual meanings over the centuries, but each reflects the way that the imagery of the cross is focused not on crusades or nationalism but on Christ.

The Associated Press recently claimed that President-elect Trump’s nominee to be secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, had tattoos supposedly connected with Christian nationalism and even white supremacy. It focused especially on the tattoo of a Jerusalem Cross on Hegseth’s upper chest.

The reporting — immediately criticized as anti-Christian by Vice President-elect JD Vance and many others in social media — begs the question: What does the symbol actually mean?

Continued below.

What Is the Jerusalem Cross?

The five elements of the Jerusalem Cross have been given different spiritual meanings over the centuries, but each reflects the way that the imagery of the cross is focused not on crusades or nationalism but on Christ.

www.ncregister.com

 

[Michie]

Jerusalem Crosses: The History & Meaning | Terra Sancta Guild

What is the historical origin of the Jerusalem Cross? Where do Jerusalem Crosses fit into our Faith? Why do people wear the Jerusalem Cross today?

www.terrasanctaguild.com

 

[RileyG]

Thanks for posting!

My professor in college wore a Jerusalem cross as well as a Coptic cross.

 

[Wolseley]

I have a Jerusalem Cross that I wear every week (I have it around my neck at this very minute, in fact); I alternate that with a Celtic Cross, a Pardon Crucifix, and another crucifix that bears the message, "Behold the wood of the Cross, upon which hung the Savior of the world" in Latin.

 

[prodromos]

The Associated Press recently claimed that President-elect Trump’s nominee to be secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, had tattoos supposedly connected with Christian nationalism and even white supremacy. It focused especially on the tattoo of a Jerusalem Cross on Hegseth’s upper chest.

And of course, being the impartial journalists they are, they provided clear evidence of where white nationalists have traditionally used the Jerusalem Cross as one of their primary (or even secondary) emblems...

They wouldn't have ever made such a bold claim without providing evidence, would they?

 

[Michie]

And of course, being the impartial journalists they are, they provided clear evidence of where white nationalists have traditionally used the Jerusalem Cross as one of their primary (or even secondary) emblems...

They wouldn't have ever made such a bold claim without providing evidence, would they?

Oh goodness no. Seriously though, how often have symbols of Christianity and Christianity itself been hijacked to use by other off kilter groups? It’s been an ongoing issue since the beginning. It does not make the symbols of genuine Christianity or Christianity itself any less Christian and does not take away the original intent of their use even if some choose to pervert it in their use. That’s why looking into Christian history is so important. Given Hegseth’s choice of other tattoos he’s chosen, it’s not an issue. His personal character? Well, another issue. But as his mother said, neither her or her son are the same people they were 7-10 years ago. And can’t we all say the same? Hopefully anyway.

 

[Michie]

I have a Jerusalem Cross that I wear every week (I have it around my neck at this very minute, in fact); I alternate that with a Celtic Cross, a Pardon Crucifix, and another crucifix that bears the message, "Behold the wood of the Cross, upon which hung the Savior of the world" in Latin.

I have a little gem of a vintage book that displays all the Christian symbolism throughout history that is just a treasure imo.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

The so-called "Jerusalem Cross" was used for centuries as the proud emblem of feudal kill-the-infidel crusaderism, domination by violence of this world by those who claim Christ.

 

[Michie]

The so-called "Jerusalem Cross" was used for centuries as the proud emblem of feudal kill-the-infidel crusaderism, domination by violence of this world by those who claim Christ.

*sigh* Look up the history. It’s amazing how much that’s been spoon fed to people and they just willingly swallow it.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

*sigh* Look up the history. It’s amazing how much that’s been spoon fed to people and they just willingly swallow it.

I did. That's why I posted. Of course, there is a lot of whitewashing. But it is the symbol of that travesty called the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which God did not keep from destruction.

 

[prodromos]

I did.

Sure you did
You even posted a link to your source for history.

 

[mourningdove~]

I wore a Jerusalem cross necklace for years, just because I liked the looks of it. Thought it was cool!

 

[mourningdove~]

Oh goodness no. Seriously though, how often have symbols of Christianity and Christianity itself been hijacked to use by other off kilter groups? It’s been an ongoing issue since the beginning. It does not make the symbols of genuine Christianity or Christianity itself any less Christian and does not take away the original intent of their use even if some choose to pervert it in their use. That’s why looking into Christian history is so important. Given Hegseth’s choice of other tattoos he’s chosen, it’s not an issue. His personal character? Well, another issue. But as his mother said, neither her or her son are the same people they were 7-10 years ago. And can’t we all say the same? Hopefully anyway.

It helps alot to know the history of these things.

And Pete? Well, I'm surprised, and abit disappointed, in the things we're hearing about his personal history. I really liked him on Fox. I'm not sure what 3 marriages at his age says about things, but that does have me abit concerned. We change, but a pattern of broken relationships can be indicative of other things. So I'm a 'wait and see' on this nomination. I can't say I know what is best, but I do believe Pete is a patriot, and not some kind of white supremacist or even Christian nationalist just because he bears a Jerusalem cross. Don't think we've seen real evidence of those things, least I haven't.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

Look up the invention of that symbol. Worth doing. Instead of simply glorifying a pretty thing.

 

[Michie]

Look up the invention of that symbol. Worth doing. Instead of simply glorifying a pretty thing.

You are in the Catholic forum. I have already posted tons of info on the Jerusalem cross here and in other forums. You have posted nothing. You might actually try reading the history yourself. OP included.

 

[Wolseley]

The so-called "Jerusalem Cross" was used for centuries as the proud emblem of feudal kill-the-infidel crusaderism, domination by violence of this world by those who claim Christ.

Yeah, and the rainbow, which for centuries was the symbol of God's eternal promise that He would never destroy the world by means of water again, has been co-opted by the alternative sexual contingent as their symbol of "diversity". The swastika, which symbolized life and positive energy for cultures as diverse as Hindus and Native Americans, was co-opted by Hitler to serve as a symbol of hate and domination during his bloody reign, a stain which will probably never be erased from that particular emblem.

Simply because some group or individual decides to use a symbol for their own agendas does not---repeat, not, repeat, not---mean that the symbol itself represents whatever the group itself that is misusing it claims that it is.

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

We know about the invention of the rainbow. If desired, we can know about the invention of the Jerusalem Cross. We can know why it is called by that name. We can know of the terrible infamy of more than one thousand years of false church leadership, in which Jerusalem was lusted after as a conquest, as if God had not declared it renamed Sodom and Egypt.

 

[Wolseley]

We know about the invention of the rainbow. If desired, we can know about the invention of the Jerusalem Cross. We can know why it is called by that name. We can know of the terrible infamy of more than one thousand years of false church leadership, in which Jerusalem was lusted after as a conquest, as if God had not declared it renamed Sodom and Egypt.

"The terrible infamy of more than one thousand years of false church leadership"???

Okay, chum, now you're drifting into anti-Catholic rhetoric, which is against the rules of this particular forum. Bad-mouthing the Catholic Church is not permitted here. Either obey the rules, or keep such comments to yourself.