Tau cross

The Tau cross

The Cross of Tau; also called the Tau Cross, St. Anthony's Cross, the Old Testament Cross, the Anticipatory Cross, the Cross Commissee, the Egyptian Cross, the Advent Cross, "Saint Francis's Cross" or the Crux Commissa. Hence, this cross is often used during the Advent season.

As with Christianity, other ancient societies who used the "Tau" symbol also expanded upon its symbolism to include life, resurrection, reincarnation, and blood sacrifice. These crosses are rare, and only a few are left in the world, the most well known being the cross on Tory Island in County Donegal, Ireland.

The Tau Cross in Christianity dates back since the latter's beginnings. Today, its most common use is in reference to Saint Francis, who proclaimed to his fellow friars in his hometown of Assisi (Italy) that their monastic habit was the Tau Cross.

Note: monastic habit (robe): When the arms of the one wearing it are outstretched to the sides, it roughly creates an image of the Tau Cross. If one then includes the body of the one wearing it in the imagery, the wearer becomes a living, walking crucifix. St. Francis is said to have reminded his followers of their role by reminding them of this imagery.

The Tau cross, named after the Greek letter it resembles, is a very old symbol.

The Tau cross was a symbol of the Roman God Mithras and the Greek Attis, and their forerunner Tammuz, the Sumerian solar God, the consort of the Goddess Ishtar.

Tammuz, like Christ, was associated with fishing and shepherding. The Tau cross takes the shape of the letter of his name, and is one of the oldest letters known. A solar god, the death and resurrection of Tammuz were celebrated every spring. The custom of marking the forehead with a cross of ashes dates back to these rituals.

The tau cross is often used as a variant of the Latin, or Christian cross.

Esoterically, the Tau represents a gate or opening, symbolic death.

(Sourced from About.com: Alternative Religions)

The Tau cross, appears to have the Earth (the horizontal line) in Heaven at the top of the vertical line.

References

• Webber, F.R. Church Symbolism, 2nd ed. Cleveland: J.H. Jansen, 1938.