Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1912 — USE OF CROSS IN HERALDRY [ARTICLE]

USE OF CROSS IN HERALDRY

More Than Four Hundred Forma of the Device Are Recognized In That Science. In early pagan days the cross was a symbol of shame and ignominy, and only those deforced or misshapen trees that could be used for no other purpose were formed into crosses. But since the cross has become dear to Christians, says the “Ave Maria,” the most precious weeds and metals have been formed into it. To the third century may be traced the custom pf making the Sign of the Cross. In the days of Constantine, Christians painted crosses on the entrances of their houses as a symbol of their faith. The impetus to tha use of the cross In heraldry was given by the Crusaders, whd wore a red cross upon their right shoulder as a token of the obligation they had taken upon themselves. Its form and meanings in heraldic designs are many. In fact, over four hundred and seven different forms have been recorded by students of biography and genealogy. In heraldry the cross is formed by two perpendicular and two horizontal lines crossing in the center of the shield. This form is modified in various ways by additions and combinations, thus expressing many meanings. It has been said that human intelligence has never devised a system so Infinite in its varieties and so endless in its application as is to be found in the science of heraldry, in which figure twenty-seven basic or fundamental crosses. The Greek cross has all four arms of equal length, while the Latin cross has the earth end longer than the other three arms. The Calvary or Christ Cross rests upon three steps or degrees. The Patriarch cross is recognized by its double crossbar. The St. Andrew’s cross is an X, in token of the form of cross on which that saint suffered martyrdom by having his hands and' feet bound to its four arms. The St. Anthony cross la shaped like a T, and has its name from the cross that St Anthony, ab--1 bot, wore upon his cloak, though the origin of his cross seems to be Egypt* lan. - It is a matter of interest that many American families have the cross as the basic emblem of their escutcheons. Among them are at least five of the presidents. The Garfield shield has a blue cross in the dexter canton, and the family motto is, "In the cross I conquer.” The Tyler shield bad on it a bar, two crescents and a cross form. The shield of the Adams family was adorned by a large cruciform device.