The Jerusalem cross is not a religion, but a Christian symbol with deep religious meaning. It is a heraldic cross that has historically been associated with the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The cross symbolizes various aspects of the Christian faith, including the four Gospels, the spread of Christianity, and the five wounds of Christ.
The Jerusalem cross is a medieval Christian symbol with a central cross and four smaller Greek crosses in each quadrant. Also known as the Five-Fold Cross, Crusader’s Cross, or Cross-and-Crosslets, it has deep religious and historical significance that has evolved over time.
Crusader state emblem: The Jerusalem cross dates to the 11th and 12th centuries and was used as the emblem and coat of arms for the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, established in 1099. The kingdom existed until 1291, but the cross remained a powerful symbol of Jerusalem for Christians.
Godfrey de Bouillon: One of the leaders of the First Crusade, Godfrey de Bouillon, is credited with being one of the first to use this cross as a distinct symbol for the new crusader state.
Heraldic use: After the fall of the Crusader states, the emblem was incorporated into the coats of arms of individuals and organizations with claims to the kingdom.
Pilgrimage tradition: Since the 14th century, the cross has been popular with pilgrims to Jerusalem. Getting the symbol tattooed on their body became a centuries-old tradition to commemorate their journey. This practice was famously adopted by royalty, including the future King Edward VII, in the 19th century.
National flag: A variant of the Jerusalem cross is featured on the national flag of the Republic of Georgia, a Christian country with historic ties to the Holy Land.
Symbolism
The meaning of the five crosses has been interpreted in multiple ways throughout history:
Five wounds of Christ: This is a common and traditional interpretation, with the four smaller crosses representing the wounds on Jesus’ hands and feet and the large central cross representing the wound from the soldier’s spear in his side.
Christ and the Evangelists: The central cross can represent Christ, while the four smaller crosses symbolize the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Spread of the Gospel: An extension of the above, the five crosses are seen as Christ at the center of Christianity, with the four smaller crosses representing his command to spread the Gospel to the four corners of the earth.
Old and New Testaments: Another interpretation suggests the symbol combines the Old Testament (represented by four Tau crosses) and the New Testament (four Greek crosses).
Modern appropriation and controversy
In the 21st century, the Jerusalem cross has become a contentious symbol due to its association with far-right extremist and white nationalist groups. These groups use it to evoke a sense of Western Christian identity, often in opposition to Muslims, Jews, and other groups, drawing on its crusader origins.
This has led to several high-profile controversies:
Pete Hegseth’s tattoo: The Jerusalem cross tattoo worn by Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, drew criticism and media scrutiny due to his associations with Christian nationalist views and the symbol’s co-optation by extremist groups.
Extremist rallies: Flags and banners featuring the Jerusalem cross, sometimes paired with the phrase “Deus Vult” (Latin for “God wills it”), have been displayed at white supremacist rallies, including the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville.
Traditional meaning vs. extremist co-optation
Traditional Christian organizations and believers reject the extremist interpretation and misuse of the symbol.
Order of the Holy Sepulchre: A representative for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem stated in 2024 that the cross is not a symbol of war but of Christ’s sacrifice, the Passion, and the empty tomb.
Enduring meaning: Many Christians continue to view and use the cross as a powerful and legitimate symbol of faith, the gospels, and Christ’s connection to the Holy Land.