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Ethiopian crosses, Abyssinian crosses, or Ethiopian-Eritrean crosses are a grouping of

Christian cross variants The Christian cross, with or without a figure of Jesus, Christ included, is the main religious symbol of Christianity. A cross with a figure of Christ affixed to it is termed a crucifix and the figure is often referred to as the ''corpus'' (La ...

that are symbols of

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

Eritrea Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa, with its capital and largest city being Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the Eritrea–Ethiopia border, south, Sudan in the west, and Dj ...

, and among

Ethiopians Ethiopians are the native inhabitants of Ethiopia, as well as the global Ethiopian diaspora, diaspora of Ethiopia. Ethiopians constitute #Ethnicity, several component ethnic groups, many of which are closely related to ethnic groups in neighbor ...

and

Eritreans Eritreans are the native inhabitants of Eritrea, as well as the global Eritrean diaspora, diaspora of Eritrea. Eritreans constitute #Component ethnicities, several component ethnic groups, some of which are related to ethnic groups that make up t ...

. Their elaborate, stylized design is markedly distinct from other Christian cross variants. Ethiopian crosses are almost always made from elaborate

latticework __NOTOC__ Latticework is an openwork framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, typically wood or metal. The design is created by crossing the strips to form a grid or weave. Latticework may be functional &nd ...

, the intertwined lattice represents

everlasting life Immortality is the concept of eternal life. Some species possess "biological immortality" due to an apparent lack of the Hayflick limit. From at least the time of the ancient Mesopotamians, there has been a conviction that gods may be phys ...

. No two crosses are exactly identical in style, the

artisan An artisan (from , ) is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates material objects partly or entirely by hand. These objects may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative art, sculpture, clothing, food ite ...

s who make them being allowed the freedom to exercise a measure of individual taste and creativity in their choice of shape and pattern. Crosses may be of the processional type with a socket at the base so they may be mounted on a staff and carried in church ceremonies or hand-held

blessing cross A blessing cross is a hand cross held by a priest or bishop in Eastern Christianity when he gives a benediction. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned with enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones. The cross may also ha ...

es used by priests in

benediction A benediction (, 'well' + , 'to speak') is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service. It can also refer to a specific Christian religious service including the exposition of the eucharisti ...

Gallery

File:Brooklyn Museum 2000.123.1 Processional Cross.jpg, Brass, latticework processional cross (socketed for staff) from

Amhara Region The Amhara Region (), officially the Amhara National Regional State (), is a Regions of Ethiopia, regional state in northern Ethiopia and the homeland of the Amhara people, Amhara, Awi people, Awi, Xamir people, Xamir, Argobba people, Argobba, a ...

, mid 20th century. File:Brooklyn Museum 2000.123.2 Processional Cross.jpg, Brass, latticework processional cross (socketed for staff) latticework reminiscent of Celtic knot-work,

, mid 20th century. File:Detail - Ethiopian Processional Cross (2383260889).jpg, Processional cross (socketed for staff) more open and figurative style ( less abstract than previous examples ). File:Bete Giyorgis-Lalibela-Prêtre (1).jpg, Ethiopian Orthodox priest holding golden blessing cross, Church of St. George, Lalibela, Ethiopia. File:Krest Lalibeli.png, Lalibela's cross File:Eritrean Orthodox Cross.jpg, Eritrean Orthodox Cross File:Christian cross from Ethiopia.jpg, Christian cross from Ethiopia File:Handheld crosses Ethiopia 18th-20th century Brass silver wood (3) Dallas Museum of Art.jpg, Ethiopian handheld crosses, 18th-20th century, brass silver and wood,

Dallas Museum of Art The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is an art museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, along Woodall Rodgers Freeway between St. Paul and Harwood. In the 1970s, the museum moved from its previous location in Fair Park to the A ...

File:5836 coptic cross 70 (2292635639).jpg, "Tribal Silver Coptic Cross,

." Photo by Ann Porteus from

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. File:WLA ima Ethiopian processional Christian cross.jpg, Ethiopian Processional Christian Cross. File:Lalibella Cross.jpg, A priest stands with the Lalibela Cross after blessing Sunday worshippers.

References

{{Eritrea-stub Culture of Ethiopia Culture of Eritrea Christianity in Ethiopia Christianity in Eritrea Crosses by culture

Gallery

See also

References