Burning Cross
Few things are more eye-catching that a blazing symbol. Cross burning, book burning, flag burning - yes, even bra burning, are sure fire ways to spark interest and enflame people's opinion.
Burning Cross
or Fiery Cross
Burning Cross
In 312 AD, Constantine is reputed to have seen a Fiery Cross in the sky before an important battle. (See Chi Rho Cross.)
In 1547, Scottish clansmen used the Fiery Cross (Crann Tara) as a symbol of unity and loyalty. Whenever an emergency arose, such as an attack or attempted invasion by rivals, the clan chieftain would dispatch runners carrying Fiery Crosses to assemble the warriors for the battle. The last recorded use of the Fiery Cross was during the Jacobite Rising in 1745. Swedish clansmen had a similar communications system (Buþkafle).
In America, the Burning Cross is considered one of the hallmarks of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). As self-confessed ultra-right nationalists, they use this symbol to terrorise their intended victims. This is completely different from the use by ancient Scottish or Swedish clans.
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Contemporary Swedish nationalists use the Yellow Cross. Coincidentally, the Scottish National Party (SNP) uses a Yellow Ribbon but the SNP is far from being 'nationalist'; it is rather a left-of-centre political party committed to Scottish independence. The ultra-right nationalists in Scotland (NF and BNP) use the Scottish St. Andrew's Cross, the basis of the Confederate Flag, which brings us back to the KKK in America. |
In fact there are few actual recorded instances of the KKK burning a cross. This popular image of the KKK is largely the result of fictional works such as the 1915 movie 'The Birth of a Nation'.
The KKK acts against any group they feel are causing harm to America; including African Americans, Jews, Catholics, immigrants, and anyone who supports such 'evil and dangerous elements'. They are a fraternity of white supremacists who believe in direct action, usually violent. In the past, some law enforcement officers might have turned a blind eye but now such attacks are not tolerated. Lawsuits have forced the organisation to curtail its activities and go underground. Despite a modest resurgence following Bush's jingoism of the early 2000's, membership of the KKK has shrunk to an all-time low as sympathisers move to other white nationalist groups.
Cross burning; a legal expression of opinion?
The function of the KKK is to either attack or drive away undesirables, through threats or terrorism. If they cannot intimidate people by burning a cross then there's no point in doing it. Although (in America) the KKK are entitled to enjoy freedom of speech, the courts have ruled that burning a cross on public or private property with the intent to intimidate, violates the First Amendment.
Cross burning; desecration?
The KKK see themselves as Good, Upstanding, All American Patriotic Christians and claim that lighting the cross is a symbol of their faith. The fire signifies Christ as the light of the world. Light drives away darkness and gloom. Fire cleanses and purifies. And all that sounds pretty good. One wonders if these All American Patriots would also approve of burning the American Flag.
If they love the cross, why destroy it through fire?
To upstage Chuck Berry in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis set fire to his piano. Ten years later, Jimi Hendrix burned his guitar on stage. Pete Townsend of the Who smashed guitars and kicked over the drums at the end of gigs. AC/DC, Nirvana, Metallica and others followed suit. Yes folks, deliberately destroying something you love is quite normal!
See Flaming Cross for other crosses with flames. Note the difference: A Burning Cross is consumed and destroyed by fire; a Flaming Cross remains intact and is the source of flames.
