3D Cross

Orthodox

3D?

Several crosses appear to be designed as 3D; sometimes that is the intention, sometimes not. The Eastern Orthodox Cross, for example, where its lower slanting beam could be misinterpreted as an arm in a third dimension. Its similarity with a key is a convenient reminder that the cross is the key to forgiveness.

Three dimensions also brings to mind the Holy Trinity.

ELCB

Dominican

Other illusionary 3-D crosses include the Dominican Cross (a form of Gyronny Cross), the logo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (ELCB), plus a few other church emblems.

A further illusion is where there is no cross at all, as shown on the left. You may imagine a cross is there but actually there are only three black shapes, arranged in a certain position. (This style is popular tattoo design for some people.)

The six-armed cross looks uncannily like the car wheel brace I bought from Halfords, many years ago. I often wondered what happened to it.
Now I know.

The cross atop the canopy in the market square of Beverley, East Yorkshire (photo on the right) is deliberately three-dimensional. It can be recognised as a cross from any viewing angle.

Many town squares in Europe have a Market Cross. Beverley's dates from 1714, the latest renovation being in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

And finally one of our own designs, inspired by the Dutch artist M C Escher (1898-1972), who had a passion for mathematically impossible designs.

This impossible design reminds us of Matt. 19:26: "With God, all things are possible."