What is the significance of the Tau cross?

What is the significance of the Tau cross?

Tau representing an execution cross The ten and the eight are thus denoted—Ten by Ι, and Eight by Η. You have [the initials of the name of] Jesus. And because the cross was to express the grace [of our redemption] by the letter Τ, he says also, ‘Three Hundred’.

What is the origin of the Tau cross?

Egyptian Origins of the Tau Cross The Tau Cross started life in Egypt as a pagan symbol and was later adopted by Christians (Copts). Various designs of this cross were employed by nominal Christians living in Egypt. The Egyptian hieroglyph representing life is called the ankh.

Why is the Franciscan cross different?

Franciscans cherish this cross as the symbol of their mission from God. The cross is a crucifix of a type sometimes called an icon cross because in addition to the main figure of the Christ, it contains images of other saints and people related to the incident of Christ’s crucifixion.

Who made the Tau cross?

Tau Cross Symbol Meaning The coining of the term crux commissa is attributed to the 16th-century Catholic philologist and philosopher, Justus Lipsius.

What is the tau symbol?

Tau (uppercase Τ, lowercase τ) is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet and in the Greek numeral system, 300 was represented by this symbol. The Greek letter took its root from the letter tāw, which is the last letter of the Phoenician alphabet. Tāw came from the Egyptian hieroglyph, meaning “mark”.

Whats an upside down cross called?

The Cross of Saint Peter or Petrine Cross is an inverted Latin cross, traditionally used as a Christian symbol, but in recent times also used as an anti-Christian symbol.

What is Franciscan tau cross?

As a Franciscan symbol, the TAU, resembling the Cross, is a sign of conversion. Because of his affection and devotion to the cross of Christ, St. Francis used this sign as his personal signature. For Francis, conversion implies a turning toward God and turning to one’s brothers and sisters.