Cross or crucifix: in everyday speech the two words are often used interchangeably. Yet there is a clear difference, and it matters when you choose a cross for your home or as a gift. Here we explain the difference, the most important cross shapes and which shape suits which purpose.
The difference in one sentence
A cross is the sign without a figure. A crucifix is a cross bearing the body of the crucified Jesus, known as the corpus.
The word crucifix comes from the Latin “crucifixus”, the crucified one. So it shows not only the sign but Christ himself on the cross.
What the cross means
The empty cross is the basic sign of all Christians. It recalls the death of Jesus and at the same time his resurrection: the cross is empty because Christ lives. That is why in many Protestant churches and homes you find mainly plain crosses without a figure.
What the crucifix means
The crucifix places the suffering of Jesus at the centre. It shows how far God’s love goes: even to death. In the Catholic Church the crucifix is especially widespread. At every Mass, a cross with the image of the crucified Christ is meant to stand on or near the altar. The Herrgottswinkel (the “Lord’s corner”) in the living room traditionally has a crucifix too.
What does INRI mean?
Above the head of Jesus, many crucifixes bear a small plaque with the letters INRI. They stand for “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum”: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. According to the Gospel of John, Pilate had this inscription fixed to the cross (John 19:19).
The most important cross shapes
- Latin cross: The vertical beam is longer below than above. This is the best-known shape, and the one on most crucifixes.
- Greek cross: All four arms are the same length.
- Tau cross: A T-shaped cross, named after the Greek letter tau. St Francis made it his sign; you can read more in the Saints’ Lexicon: St Francis of Assisi.
- Byzantine or Orthodox cross: with additional crossbars, widespread in the Eastern Churches.
- Celtic cross: a cross with a ring around the intersection, typical of Ireland and Scotland.
- Holding cross: a rounded, smooth shape that sits well in the hand.
Cross or crucifix: which suits what?
For a child’s room
For small children, many parents choose a simple cross, for example in light wood, or a cross with a friendly motif. A crucifix is equally possible; what matters is that you can explain to your child what it shows.
For a christening, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Both forms are common. Catholic families often give a crucifix, for example the small beech wood crucifix (14 × 7 cm). Simple crosses such as the olive wood standing cross suit every family. You will find ideas in What Do You Give for First Holy Communion? and Catholic Confirmation: Meaning, Ceremony and Gift Ideas.
For the living room and the Herrgottswinkel
Traditionally a crucifix hangs here, such as the beech wood wall crucifix with metal corpus and INRI. If you want something especially fine, our woodcarving workshop offers a crucifix with corpus hand-carved in South Tyrol. You can read more about the cross as a sign for the home in House Blessing: Meaning and How to Hang It.
For Protestant or interdenominational families
A plain cross without a figure is understood in all denominations, for example an olive wood wall cross or a Celtic wall cross.
To wear
Both forms are popular as necklaces. A plain cross necklace is discreet, while a cross necklace with the figure of Christ makes the profession of faith clearer.
You will find the full range in our Crosses collection.
A note on our crosses
Many, but not all, of our crosses are blessed in our own warehouse by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda. A certificate card in business-card size showing the date of the blessing is then included; whether a cross is blessed is stated in the title or the description. The hand-carved crucifixes from South Tyrol come directly from the workshop, are not blessed in our warehouse and have a delivery time of approx. 3–4 weeks.
Since when have there been crucifixes?
The first Christians hardly depicted the crucifixion. For them, death on the cross was still a cruel, everyday punishment. They preferred signs such as the fish or the Christ monogram. One of the oldest surviving depictions of the crucifixion is found on the wooden door of the church of Santa Sabina in Rome, from the 5th century.
In the Middle Ages the crucifix then became the central image of the faith. In the Romanesque period it often shows Christ upright and crowned, as a king who has conquered death. The Gothic style, by contrast, emphasises his suffering. Both views belong together: the cross is a sign of suffering and of victory.
How do you hang a cross properly?
There is no fixed rule. The usual choice is a place where the cross is clearly visible but does not disappear between the coat rack and the shoe rack: in the hallway opposite the front door, above the dining table, above the bed or in the child’s room. Slightly above eye level it looks dignified without being too far away. Many people hang a new cross with a short prayer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cross and a crucifix?
A cross is the sign without a figure. A crucifix is a cross bearing the body of the crucified Jesus.
Is the crucifix only Catholic?
The crucifix is widespread above all in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. There are crucifixes in Protestant churches too, but plain crosses are more common.
What does INRI on the cross mean?
INRI stands for “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum”: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. According to the Gospel of John, this was the inscription on the cross.
Which cross do you give for a christening?
Both forms are common. Many choose a small wooden wall cross for the child’s room, and Catholic families often a crucifix.
Written by Denis & Belinda. We run LUNEXUS and are happy to answer your questions personally on +49 30 2178 2502 (German and English) or at hallo@lunexus.world.
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