Is a Cross Fashion or Religious Symbol?
A cross, a ubiquitous symbol inherent in jewelry, ornaments, art… does it signify the Christian faith or is it just a pattern? How to wear a cross pendant with chic but not to offend the feelings of believers? So many questions but we’ll try to give all the answers in this post.
Everyone can wear a cross pendant, be it a man, woman, or a child. Cross-adorned jewelry carries the same idea across the board but its look may vary based on whom it is intended for. Normally, male crosses are strict in design and feature no excessive décor. Women’s cross jewelry, on the other hand, is more rounded, sophisticated, and may be lavishly embellished. Crosses do not necessarily feature gem and stone inlays (after all, Christianity appreciates modesty) but enamel, engraving, blackening, and other techniques to add a dash of individuality are welcome. Often, a cross pendant designed for ladies features vines as a reminder of one of the psalms: “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.”
Cross Pendant Designs
Crosses are made of various materials. You can go with antique-style designs featuring a hemp rope and a wooden cross if you prefer a humble down-to-earth appearance. Alternatively, you can pick a leather rope with a discreet silver pendant. The most popular option, however, envisions a silver chain necklace paired with a small cross pendant of the same material. To prove your loyalty to God, you don’t need any pompous in-your-face ornaments. On the contrary, a crucifix or cross is an intimate thing, it is for your eyes only. The church recommends wearing religious jewelry underneath your clothes since only priests are allowed to carry crosses over the clothing.
So, a cross pendant as a symbol of faith is rather simplistic, discreet, and attached to a medium-length necklace so that you can hide it from the prying eyes. That being said, there are other types of crosses that have nothing to do with religion. Larger than life, stone-clad, glistening with gold or platinum, they are real jewelry art masterpieces. These items play a role of stylish ornaments while abandoning the function of religious attributes.
What Does the Church Think of Cross Jewelry?
How does church regard this jewelry? Well, it is a complicated question. On the one hand, jewelry that priests wear is also lavishly decorated. It is believed that a shrine of a Christian should be well adorned. Thus, the extravagance and glistening of precious materials shouldn’t raise brows within the Christian community. On the other hand, many people wear cross accessories only because they are fashionable, and this is why the church frowns on. If you think that your stylish cross pendant may outrage believers, it’s better to leave it at home.
Other Types of Crosses
All this time by a ‘cross’ we meant a Latin cross, otherwise known as Christian cross. However, there are dozens of other types of crosses. Some of them are related to religion, for example, Greek, Slavic, Byzantine crosses as well as The Chi Rho. Jewelry featuring these crosses is of the same spiritual significance as crucifixes and Latin crosses. Another group of crosses represents a transition from pagan religions to Christianity. An example of these crosses is a Celtic cross and ankh (Coptic cross). Although they are widespread among Christians in Ireland and Egypt respectively, these symbols gained mystical significance across the world and now are actively used in informal subcultures such as Gothic. Finally, there are crosses that have never associated with religion, for instance, an Iron cross. Once being a military reward in Prussia (modern Germany), it is now a common symbol among bikers. If you share biker ideology and understand its meaning, you can boldly adorn your outfit with Iron Cross jewelry.
