Serbian cross
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The Serbian Cross (Cрпски Kрст/Srpski Krst) is a national symbol of Serbia and traces its roots to the Byzantine Empire. It is composed of central cross and four letter C-shapes on each of its corners.
The motif of a cross between four objects is derived from Constantine's labarum and has figured on Byzantine coins, since the 6th c. Later, the 4 symbols of the cross have been interpreted as flints or firestones, but also as the initials (letters "ß") of the imperial motto of the Palaiologos dynasty: King of Kings, Ruling Over Kings (Greek: ßασιλεύς ßασιλέων, ßασιλεύων ßασιλευόντων - Basileus Basileōn, Basileuōn Basileuontōn). [1]
The cross has been used by Serbian states and the Serbian Orthodox Church since the Middle Ages after Dušan the Mighty was crowned Emperor (Tsar) of the Serbs and Greeks (16 April 1345). Today it is the national, religious and ethnic symbol of Serbs and Serbia.
Erroneously, common interpretation is that the four symbols around the cross are Cyrillic letters С, an acronim of a slogan: "Only Unity Saves the Serbs" (Serbian language: "Само Слога Србина Спасава" - "Samo Sloga Srbina Spasava") or "Saint Sava - Serbian Patron" (Serbian language: "Cвeti Caвa - Cpпcka Cлaвa" - "Sveti Sava - Srpska Slava").
The Serbian Cross can be found on Serbian flags and coat of arms.
[edit] See also
- Sajkaca (Serbian hat)
- Opanak (Serbian traditional shoes)
- Only Unity Saves the Serbs (Serbian slogan)
- Coat of arms of Serbia, slightly different version of the Serbian coat
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