When a colour is applied to a cross, the form is usually a basic Latin or Greek cross. The form bears no particular religious significance - simply easy to draw, easy to recognise, and doesn't detract the eye from the additional message given by the colour. When we see a red cross for example, we see either the colour red, or we see a sign of the humanitarian organisation. What we don't see, is a cross.
Coloured crosses are used for many different purposes and organisations. The Orange Cross for example, is used by several commercial ambulances and healthcare providers, and also political groups. Often these are seen as Lapel Pins. We haven't attempted to explain all the uses for each cross; the description given has been selected quite arbitrarily.
The Christian Church has developed a colour-code which, whilst not universal, can be used in priestly vestments and other decorations to set the theme of the liturgical season or the Feast being celebrated. (The following describes western conventions; Orthodox Churches have a different coding system.)
1 Purple : Judges 8:26, Solomon 3:10, Daniel 5:7, 16:29
2 White : Matthew 17:2, 28:3, Mark 9:3, Mark 16:5, John 20:12, Acts 1:10
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