Be the first to get special offers and notifications on new arrivals! join our newsletter today!

Wall Crosses

	While the cross is taken in most cases to symbolize Christianity, it did in fact exist as a cultural symbol, long before the birth of Christ. And although there is no one source or date in any country that can be referenced as its first appearance, crosses in their various forms did seem to represent the common theme of coming together, binding, or unity. One of the most common of ancient crosses, is the Egyptian Ankh symbol, which appears as a cross with a broad loop where the top of the vertical piece would be. This symbol, originally representative of life, was later adopted by the Coptic, or Christian Egyptians, when that religion came to their people. Over the years, various forms of crosses have come to represent constancy and faith. Some, where the lower part of the upright arm is shaped like an anchor, stand for enduring loyalty that is anchored in a dedication to God. Others, such as Eleanor’s crosses, are symbolic of love, as much as religion. On the death of Queen Eleanor, wife of King Edward I in 1290, her body was embalmed and carried to London, making 12 overnight stops along the way. Her grieving husband then had crosses erected at each stop, but they were not just simple bars, they were elaborate monuments, three of which are still standing today.