Dominican Cross

The Dominican Cross is the heraldic arms of the Order of Preachers (O.P.)

By Paul Harding
with thanks to Sean Wright for his inspiration
and Sister Karina for additional information and images.

Dominican Cross

Order of Preachers (Dominican) Cross

Gyronny Cross

The Dominican Cross is a Gyronny Cross of the Ordo Praedicatorum (Order of Preachers). This order was created by St. Dominic to preach to the Cathars of southern France in the early 13th century. The French connection is seen in the Fleur de lis on the end of each cross arm.

St. Dominic (1170 – 1221) founder of the Order of Preachers

The Gyronny Cross reflects the characteristic Dominican habit, largely unchanged for 800 years: a long white tunic, contrasting with a black cloak, cappa (shoulder cape) and/or scapular. The black and white represents truth over heresy. In addition, the white reflects the joy and the purity of Christ, and the black reminds servants of the Lord of their humility and obligation for penance. These black cloaks led to the term 'Blackfriars', as opposed to Whitefriars (Carmelites) or Greyfriars (Franciscans).

Currently there are both Roman Catholic and Anglican Dominicans (for example, the Catholic www.catholicdominicansisters.org/ Amityville.html and the Anglican www.anglicanop.org/.)

Click the painting of St. Dominic for a larger view, and notice the extended fingers of the right hand. When making the Sign of the cross, one or two fingers are used, with or without the thumb. When two fingers are used, this symbolises the two wills and two natures in Jesus Christ; human and divine.

The two fingers could also relate to the two colours used in the Dominican cross, but as the Chaplin of The Anglican Order of Preachers advises us:

Emblem of the Order of Preachers (http://curia.op.org/)

"The Dominica Cross comes from the Torch of Truth, a symbol of the Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little black and white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she was pregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and white dog, illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth."

Curious that the dog should be black and white; colours later adopted by the Order. The dog carrying the torch in its mouth symbolises travelling, speaking about the Light of Christ.

Sister Karina of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, (www.springfieldop.org) points out that:

"the travelling dog also relates to the Dominicans being itinerant preachers. They went from place to place preaching and then returned to their convents. Unlike most of the moanstic orders, Dominicans do not make a vow of stability. The men can be assinged to any province in the world depending on need."

Dogs are often seen to be faithful followers of their master. And there's a pun on the term 'Dominican': The Latin for 'Lord' is Domini, and 'dog' is canes, hence 'Dogs of the Lord'. There is, of course, no need to stretch the imagination to such an extent. The real meaning of the cross is quite clear.

Sr. Karina also kindly sent the collection of Dominican Crosses shown below. Click any image to enlarge.

A motto common to many of these emblems is 'Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare': To praise, to bless and to preach (from the Dominican Missal, Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

The seal of the Assumption College in Massachusetts looks similar to the Dominican Cross, but has a couple of significant differences. Firstly, the colour (the College colours are blue and white; the trademark of the Order of Preachers is black and white). Secondly, the College emblem lacks the gyronny in the centre of the cross. Instead, we see there the traditional Augustinian coat of arms.

The Dominican Cross should not be confused with the Greek Cross of the Dominican Republic.