Adorned Crosses

An Adorned Cross (sometimes called a Decorated Cross) is invariably based on a simple Latin or Greek cross so that the additional feature is emphasized. The additional feature usually becomes the main focus of the object; the crucifix is an obvious example. Another example is the Irish Claddagh sign, which is considered by some to have supernatural power when mounted on a cross. And yet another, albeit silly, example is the Santa Cross.

The cross enhances the feature, which may be a religious icon, a fashion item, a tattoo, a memorial or whatever the imagination dictates.

It's interesting that with some Adorned Crosses we glorify the feature (for example, we glorify America with the Old Glory Cross), whilst others are used to condemn the feature (for example, the AIDS Cross).

Some of the most elaborate and richly adorned crosses are not out of place in Roman Catholic, Orthodox and 'High' churches. Sometimes it's a challenge to find a suitable name for a cross with a corpus and a halo and Golgotha steps and fleur de lis and jewels, and so on. Such cross naming is often left to the whim of souvenir gift shop suppliers, who coin terms such as Vatican Cross, Adoration Cross, etc., or the curiously named Deluxe Cross.

Most crosses on this website are adorned with something to distinguish them from the others. In many cases, adornments are part of the cross construction (such as the Patriarchal Cross) and such crosses can be found in the miscellaneous section. There are also special sections of crosses adorned with lettered text, crosses with plants, animals, and other organisms and crosses with a romantic association. This page shows adornments that don't fit into those categories.

For all crosses, see the complete list.