The word Cross - Old English cros "instrument of Christ's crucifixion; symbol of Christianity" (mid-10c.), probably from Old Norse or another Scandinavian source, picked up by the Norse from Old Irish cros, from Latin crux (accusative crucem, genitive crucis) "stake, cross" on which criminals were impaled or hanged (originally a tall, round pole); hence, figuratively, "torture, trouble, misery;" see crux. Also from Latin crux are Italian croce, French croix, Spanish and Portuguese cruz, Dutch kruis, German Kreuz. This is the more known version, the Latin cross (the lowercase 't' shape).
As an ancient symbol, the vertical and horizontal lines come together to create a new symbol, what we refer to as the cross. There are of course countless different types of crosses. Despite any embellishments or devices, the basic meaning of the cross stays the same. It is an incredibly versatile and useful sign with many interpretations. It is an ancient instrument that can be found all over the world, from the ancient world (way before Christianity) to the modern era.
The convergence of the vertical and horizontal Consciousnesses/lines symbolises the union of the material and the spiritual. As a geometric tool, if you put the cross inside the circle, then you can divide the circle equally. Similarly, the cross is said to "give birth to" the square. Because of its four cardinal points, the cross represents the elements and the direction. A compass for the physical and spiritual realms. Crossroads are often thought of as symbolising points of intersection between the paths of the living and the dead. As a framework for coordinates, the cross gives people the ability to orient themselves within space and time. For example in mechanical terms on a plane surface, flying vehicles used the cross (on their gyroscopes, a cross on a circle/sphere) for this very purpose.
"It is a world center and therefore a point of communication between heaven and earth and a cosmic axis, thus sharing the symbolism of the cosmic tree, mountain, etc. The cross represents the Tree of Life and the Tree of Nourishment. It is also a symbol of universal, archetypal man, capable of infinite and harmonious expansion on both the horizontal and vertical planes. The vertical line represents the; celestial, spiritual, intellectual, positive, active and male. While the horizontal represents the; earthly, rational, passive, negative and female. The unity of the two forming the primordial.
It is seen by Christians as salvation through Christ's sacrifice, redemption, atonement, suffering and faith. "The cross also signifies acceptance of death or suffering and sacrifice". Crossroads are often thought of as symbolising points of intersection between the paths of the living and the dead. As a framework for coordinates, the cross gives people the ability to orient themselves within space and time. Acts as an amulet against danger, a weapon against monsters, even the devil.
Some of the other uses of this symbol or variations of it are;
Maltese / Vermilion / Templar / cross of gules - This cross formally adopted by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John in 1126, stylistically owes its origins to the crosses used in the crusades and the symbol of Italian republic of Amalfi, when it was identified as the symbol of the “Christian warrior”: Its eight points denote the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights, namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted, and to endure persecution”.
With time, the eight points also came to represent the eight languages (or “tongues”, but in effect national groupings) of the noblemen who were admitted to the famed order, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille and Portugal, Italy, Baviere (Germany), and England (with Scotland and Ireland).
The Maltese cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which is still in existence (and active as an international organisation for medical and humanitarian aid) today. It is also a Firefighter's Badge of Courage in the US. The emblem for St. John's ambulance in the UK (dating back to the 11th century when the first Knights of St. John set up a hospice).
As part of its present-day teachings, the cross represents the eight beatitudes of Christ on the mount (or ‘blessings’). A good first aider in service of the Order of St. John is Observant, Tactful, Resourceful, Dextrous, Explicit, Discriminating, Persevering and Sympathetic.
As the Templar cross ( introduced in 1147, 18 years after the foundation of the Templar Order on January 13, 1129), the Knights Templar cross was taken from the temple of Isis. It represents the secret teachings of Isis' temple and ancient Egypt. This order which is a religious as well as military, from the chivalry of the Middle Ages. The members belonging to this order are known as "Templars,” hence the name Templar Cross. There are also different Templar crosses that you may encounter in different churches, that are different in appearance. This is because there are different orders such as; the Teutonic Order, the Order of Malta, the Templar Order and the Order of the Holy Sepulcher. These are the most popular orders to this day and they all have a different cross.
Teutonic Cross - consisting of four Tau crosses, this form of cross was assigned to the knights of the Teutonic (Germanic) Order, founded by Emperor Henry VI as a hospital order in 1191, and similar to the Templars and Hospitallers.
Shi- The cross is the character for ten in Mandarin Chinese
The Celtic Cross - Combining the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. It is a characteristic symbol of Celtic Christianity, though it may have older, pre-Christian origins. This style of cross evolved in the British Isles, and the earliest forms date from the seventh to ninth centuries in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The oldest Celtic crosses were carved into large slabs of rock that lay flat on the ground. Later versions stand in an upright position, with rock carved away from the cross. Tenth-century Irish crosses were sometimes capped with a pitched roof. Celtic crosses were often decorated with interlaced knot work, spirals, key patterns, animal figures, foliage designs, and Biblical stories. Other examples preserved the earlier, Druid symbols alongside those of Christianity.
The Jerusalem Cross - This was first used as a coat of arms for the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem. During the Crusades, it was referred to as the "Crusaders Cross." The four small crosses are symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four corners of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem; the large cross symbolizes the person of Christ. The Kingdom of Jerusalem was established in 1098, when the members of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem and elected Godfrey of Boulogne, duke of Lower-Lorraine, as king of Jerusalem. The city was taken back by the Muslims in 1291
The cross is sometimes disguised as another symbol, the four-petal flower. All over the world, the cross is a sign of protection (acts as an amulet against danger, a weapon against the so-called monsters, even the devil for those who subscribe to this).
From what I have noticed, it is an orientation tool just as the rest of these symbols. Like a compass ( using Vertical and Horizontal Consciousness as reference points), it is a guide for the life we choose to live in this place...