Nestorian cross

Yuan dynasty stone-carved Nestorian Cross from Fangshan District, Beijing (then called Khanbaliq)

The Nestorian Cross is associated with the Church of the East. It is composed of a cross similar to the Maltese cross, with three dots lining the left cross bar, three dots lining the right, two dots lining the top bar, and one dot on the bottom bar. These nine dots represent the nine orders of ministry within the church. Between the two dots on the top bar is a crown with three prongs, representing the Trinity.

In Eastern Christian art found on tombs in China, these crosses are sometimes simplified and depicted as resting on a lotus flower or on a stylized cloud.

Gallery

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  Nestorian Headstone
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  Nestorian Cross found in China
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  Nestorian Cross found in China
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  Two Nestorian Crosses found in China
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  The Cross from Nestorian Stele
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  Nestorian altar-type grave monument shows a stone grave marker with cross symbol on its flat top
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  Saint Thomas Christian cross from India
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  Nestorian headstone rubbing with cross-on-lotus symbol
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  Rubbing of a Nestorian cross at the Temple of the Cross
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  Rubbing of a Nestorian cross at the Temple of the Cross
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  Cross in the headdress of a Christian figure, detail of the Painting of a Nestorian Christian figure, 9th century.
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  Relief of a cross at the Rabban Hormizd Monastery

Sources

• http://www.usfca.edu/ricci/events/lotusandcross/index.htm

External links

• Mark W. Brown Nestorian Cross Collection (Drew University): Overview Images
• Image: a gilt copper Nestorian plaque dated back to T‘ang dynasty