Apr
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Crucifix with Skull and Crossbones
April 1, 2007 | 19 Comments
Many of the early Christians understood the significance of the site of the Cross — Golgotha is a hill on Mt. Moria, the site of Abraham’s trial where he was to sacrifice Issac. Moreover, Jewish tradition taught that God chose this site because it is where Adam was buried. This tradition probably reflects St. Paul’s reference to Jesus as the “new Adam” (Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:45).
The early Christians often had a better understanding of salvation history than we do: they understood the connection between Adam’s death, the Covenant with Abraham (his famous phrase “God will provide the sacrifice” is the basis for the renaming of the city Salem[=Shalom=Peace] to Jerusalem[=God will provide the Peace], the Temple of Solomon built on the same mountain for sacrifice, and the True Lamb of God the Eternal Sacrifice. Often there are depictions of the Cross with a skull or skeleton under it signifying the complete victory over death and the sacrifice that atones for Adam’s sin.
The skull and bones on the crucifix represent Adam. This type of crucifix fell out of favor in the 1800’s, after pirates corrupted the intended meaning with their mass killing.
Note: The word Calvary is related to the Latin word for skull-shaped. Perhaps for that reason the Romans used this spot (immediately outside Jerusalem in Jesus’ day) to execute criminals.
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You would not believe how many times I have had to explain that symbolism to people who get nervous they’re looking at a satanic symbol.
I have this crucifix and it was passed down in my family from Germany and I was always told that this was the crucifix for a happy death if you died with it in your hands.
I’m given to understand that yet another meaning of the skull is that in legend, Golgotha is said to be the spot of Adam’s death and then in years to come the Second Adam died at the same place to bring spiritual life to all willing to receive it.
I want one of these crucifixes and am currently shopping on the internet for one.
julian. I have at a half dozen of thyese crosses with skull & crossbones,various sizes,which I have somehow collected through the years.
contac me.
I have one beautiful specimen of one of these treasures that is particularly gorgeous, but does not hold the sentimental value that some of my others do. I would be willing to discuss parting with it to another collector
I have a hand crafted silver cross and would like to add the skull and bones to it. Do you know where I could look to find the shull and bones in sterling silver?
Do you still have the one you told Linda Hall about on September 9, 2008 and if so woulf you send me a picture of it?
Thanks, I will be looking to hear from you soon.
Charlie Reed
i have a wall mounted crucifie with our lord on it, underneath the feet of our lord is a scull and crossbones.it is about 6 inches high.does anyone know were i can find out anything about this.
I have a 6 inch cross with the skull and crossbones. ABOVE Christ it must have had something else as there is a bronze nail but what ever it held has gone. The cross is bronze but it has black wood on the inside of the cross. On the back it has a bronze flower shape at the centre of the cross. If anyone could tell me about the cross i would be very greatful. It was my granmother’s who died over 20 odd years ago.
your’s michael o’dwyer
I just was given a cross like yours; but mine is 4 1/2 inches tall. I was told by the man who gave it to me that it had been in his family since the 1700’s. The black you speakk of he told me was ebony. I found this site because I keyed in a question about the skull and cross bones at the bottom of Jesus’ feet………I have never seen that before and wondered the meaning. The man who gave me the cross is a Frenchman. Did yours come from France also?
ps I have a scroll above the head; that’s probably what was on yours too???
At the top of the crucifix above the head of the Christus crowned with thorns and the radiating halo should be found a scroll. This scroll above the crucified Christ should be the traditional words nail to the cross in Latin in most cases of “Jesus the Nazorean King of the Jews”. The board nailed to the cross was originally written in Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
My crucifix was hand made in Spain. These crucifixes were handmade throughout Europe and were only used by members of a Roman Catholic Rite Religious Orders or Religious Communities including myself. Some larger version were used to hang in the cells of the religious to be used for their meditation on the Passion of Our Lord and its meaning.
i have a crucifix apprx 10″ high, metal, with the skull and crossbones at jesus’ feet and a sword and dagger crossing just above, along with the cock, a standing robe with three dice as the head, a pitcher and goblet on each side of the cross and a spear and pole with the sponge joined together by a hammer and pliers – anyone have any info regard this thank you kim
My father was given one this past week with the skull and crossbones on the bottom. I have that some cursuaders carried this same symbol into battle.
i have the same cross as kim dont have a clue as to what it is or what the simboles mean help
i found a 8 inch tall crucifix covered in dust in the clutter of and antique shop a couple of weeks ago. at the top of the cross is the scroll marked INRI approx. 1 inch wide 5/8 of and inch tall. below is the body of christ 3 inches tall the right hand has the lower fingers missing. at the bottom of the is the skull and cross bones. the cross is wood wallnut or maybe rosewood the scroll, christ and skull and cross bones are all carved ivory i would like to date it but i can’t seem to find any information.
email address garysportla@aol.com
thank you
I have a cross that is approximately 6 1/2 inches tall and 3 inches wide at the arm stretch of the cross. It looks brass with some type of dark wood. The body of Jesus hangs from the cross in brass. A radiating halo is behind the head. A scroll is above that with the letters INRI. On the back of the cross is a heart with a dagger or sword through the heart and this is all surrounded by some sort of design that resembles thorns. I would like to know what this cross means, how old it is and where it may have been originated from. Also I would like to know the value of this cross. If anyone would care to help me I would be thankful.
I forgot the most important thing in describing my cross…the skull and cross bones are under the feet of Jesus. Please add this to my above previous description of my cross…Thank you again
I have a hand made victory over death crucifix. Dated 1700 to 1800. Skull and crossbones at feet of Jesus.Reverse side has crown of thorns. I have seen one like mine on the Rosary workshop-Museum Crucifixes.com. Are there any collectors out there that would be interested. My Great Grandmother brought it over from Austria in 1904. You can reach me at pattyklarge@live.com
A gentleman has just walked into our christian book centre and brought with him a crucifix with skull and crossbones at base. I myself had never seen one but from all the letters on this page there are more in circulation than I imagined. The man in question had purched a ‘junk’ box in an antique shop and this was one of the items.
Miriam
In 1994 I was ordained to the Priesthood in the Saint Alban’s Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. I was ordained by Father William Champion & Bishop David McDavid of the PICA Phillipines Independent Catholic Association. At that time I was presented a “Old Bishop’s Crucifix” that had belonged to a Texas &/or Mexican Roman Catholic Bishop Jose. That it was a presentation crucifix to him from a cardinal upon being elevated to Bishop. The cross is 3.7 inches in height and and the side bar of the cross is 1.88 inches. The cross is made of solid 18K gold with a brown enamel enlay under the statue of Jesus. The weight is 07.877 ounces. At the time I was given the cross I asked Father Champion, “Why the crucifix that a skull and crossbones on the crucifix”?. The 18K Gold statue of Jesus on the Cross is 1.28″ height x .76″ width. He replied that the symbol was a reminder to all not to die in unforgiven sin. He said these were not issued after 1892. I use this cross daily at the alter and quite often I where it when officiating. I am froud to own this piece of Texas History and it is still being used in the service of my Lord Jesus Christ. God bless. Father Louis Bernhardt, O.S.A. *
I also have one of these crosses, I was at an auction recently and nobody wanted itso I offered the minimum two pounds and got it it is 6 inches tall approx a skull n crossbones at feet haloround head scroll above that and pattern on back don’t know what that is. It also has hardwood in centre it might be silver