Why is the Easter Cross such an important symbol for Christians? When did the cross become representative of faith in Jesus, and why? The cross, used for crucifixions, was an instrument of death common during the Roman Empire. Does it make sense to wear it as jewelry or on T-shirts to communicate a living faith? Why and when did Christians adopt the Easter Cross as a symbol of identification?
Why Do Christians Remember the Cross at Easter?
The cross becomes prominent as a symbol, particularly at Easter, because it is when Christians around the world remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditions vary across denominations, but Holy Week, culminating in Easter, is celebrated globally.
The word Easter doesn’t appear in the Bible. According to Candice Lucey, “The name ‘Easter’ was derived from ‘Eostre,’ originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honor of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover.” Easter, as a celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, became a Christian tradition as the church developed, but it is celebrated at different times and in varying ways.
For many Christian denominations, preparation for Easter begins about 40-46 days before Easter during a time called Lent. This time of preparation is around 40 days (minus the Sundays) to symbolize Jesus’ 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. Some Christian traditions encourage believers to fast or to “give something up” for Lent.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry on a donkey into Jerusalem. He was greeted by the crowds waving palms, symbolizing victory, shouting Hosanna or “save us.” There are services on Maundy Thursday (remembering Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane) and on Good Friday, (when Jesus was crucified for our sins). Finally, Easter is the day of celebration, remembering Jesus’ resurrection triumph over death.
The cross is often our focus because that is where our Messiah suffered and died in our place. That is where the shedding of His blood purchased our freedom from sin. The cross symbolizes God’s love for us, explained in John 3:16-18:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (ESV)
On Easter, the Easter cross is displayed either empty or strewn with flowers (most often with lilies) to symbolize Jesus’ triumph over death, His resurrection, and His gift of everlasting life.
How Long Have Christians Been Associating Crosses with Easter?
In the early church period, the cross was not used as a symbol of the faith. More commonly known early symbols were a dove (for the Holy Spirit), a lamb (for the Lamb of God), an anchor, which resembles a cross (Hebrews 6:19 refers to the hope that anchors our souls), and the fish.
The fish requires a little explanation. The Greek word for fish is ichthys. Christians turned that into an acrostic, as in Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, i.e., Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. During persecution periods, Christians need only to draw a fish in the sand to identify themselves with Christ.
Now more commonly known as the “Jesus fish,” this symbol is experiencing a revival as it appears prominently in the opening credits of the popular TV show The Chosen.
Of course, early Christians spoke much about the death of Jesus on the cross. They all knew what had occurred and how. However, when early Christians shared the gospel, they put just as much emphasis on the resurrection as on the cross.
Crucifixion was common, and everyone had witnessed or was aware of the practice. However, Jesus was the only person crucified who rose from the dead and appeared to many eyewitnesses. Jesus’ power of death, then and now, is as central to the gospel as His death on the cross, making propitiation for our sins.
Early church writings reference the cross, showing it held meaning for early believers. Some reportedly prayed with their arms outstretched. Others etched crosses onto catacomb walls or in their homes. The early church historian Justin Martyr observed that the cross symbol appears in many everyday objects. In 1 Apology 55, Martyr writes, “Shows all the places where the cross could be observed: ‘in a ship’s mast, for the sea is not traversed except that trophy with is called a sail abide safe in the ship, the earth is not ploughed without it, diggers and mechanics do not work except with tools that have this shape. Even the human form differs from irrational animals in nothing else than in its reveals the form than of the cross.’”
Still, it wasn’t until the time of Constantine that it became more commonly viewed as a symbol for Christianity. In the fourth century AD, Emperor Constantine reportedly had a vision involving a cross of light emblazoned across the sun, and on the cross was written In hoc signo vinces: “In this sign, you will win.”
Constantine then had the cross in the form of a chi rho, a monogram of Christ in Greek, fashioned onto the standards of his army, replacing the eagle. From this time forward, the cross became more widely associated as the primary symbol of Christianity.
Are There Special Easter Crosses in Some Traditions?
Craftspeople, artists, and artisans across cultures have designed or portrayed the cross in various ways. The celtic cross originated in the Middle Ages. The traditional latin cross, displayed upside down, is referred to as St. Peter’s cross, indicating the way Peter requested to die. Greek Easter services feature the Greek cross, where all four arms are equal. A tree of life cross is similar to the Latin cross but has branches that resemble a living tree. The Coptic cross derives from Egyptian culture and has an enclosed top like a key.
Some traditions display a likeness of the crucified Christ on the cross, shown as a crucifix, to emphasize Jesus’ suffering for sin. Other traditions display an empty cross, symbolizing that Jesus lives and His victory over death. There are traditions where only the Easter cross is empty to remind worshipers that Jesus rose and lives forever.
Many churches drape the cross in either white or purple/lavender to celebrate the new life of the risen king and His triumph over death. Others entwine their crosses with living vines or surround them with lilies or daffodils to celebrate new life.
How to Make Your Own Easter Cross
Many churches hand out palm branches to worshippers on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Families often then teach children to cut a small slit in one part of the branch and slide the other end through to create a palm leaf cross. A simple online search of “how to make your own Easter cross” will bring anyone to many different artist and crafter websites showing how to make one.
Whatever Easter tradition your faith community observes, what’s most important is that the gospel’s truth is demonstrated in our lives. We can be living examples of the easter cross’s power for our families, communities, and the world.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/udra
Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:
What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start?
What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday?
What is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?
What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday?
Easter Bible Verses
The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Prayers
