A cross is the bare shape of two beams, one upright and one across, with nothing on it. A crucifix is a cross that bears the figure of the body of Christ, called the corpus. So every crucifix is a cross, but not every cross is a crucifix. The plain cross points to the Resurrection and the empty tomb, while the crucifix keeps our eyes on the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. That single difference, the presence or absence of the corpus, is the whole answer.
That is the short version. Below is the fuller picture, what each one is, why Christians have favored one or the other across different traditions, a simple comparison, and how to choose the right one for your home or as a gift.
What a cross is
A cross is the most recognized symbol in the Christian faith. It is two beams set against each other, the upright stem and the crossbeam, in the shape on which Christ was crucified. When it is shown bare, with no body on it, it is called an empty cross or a plain cross.
The empty cross is more than a shape. It tells the rest of the story. Christ was crucified, but he did not stay on the cross or in the tomb. The bare wood proclaims that he is risen. For this reason the plain cross is the most common Christian symbol of all, worn around the neck, hung on the wall, and raised over churches across America.
What a crucifix is
A crucifix is a cross that carries the figure of the crucified Christ. That figure is called the corpus, from the Latin word for body. The corpus shows the Lord at the moment of his sacrifice, arms outstretched, and it turns the symbol into a scene.
Many crucifixes also carry a small plaque above the head of Christ, called the titulus. On it are the letters INRI, the initials of the Latin words Pilate ordered placed over the cross. If you would like to know what those letters stand for, see our guide to what INRI means on a crucifix.
The crucifix is meant to draw the heart to the suffering and love of Christ. Where the plain cross says he is risen, the crucifix says look at what he did for you. Both truths are at the center of the Christian faith.
The key difference between a cross and a crucifix
The difference is the corpus. A crucifix has the body of Christ on it. A cross does not. Everything else flows from that one detail.
The plain cross looks past Good Friday to Easter morning and the empty tomb. The crucifix holds us at the foot of Calvary and the moment of the sacrifice. Neither denies the other. They simply lift up different parts of the same Gospel.
| Attribute | Cross | Crucifix |
|---|---|---|
| Figure of Christ (corpus) | No, the cross is bare | Yes, the body of Christ is shown |
| What it emphasizes | The Resurrection and the empty tomb | The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary |
| Often carries INRI titulus | No | Often, above the head of Christ |
| Most associated with | Many Protestant traditions | Catholic and Orthodox Christians |
| Common uses | Necklaces, wall pieces, steeples | Wall pieces, bedside, prayer and devotion |
Which Christian traditions favor each, and why
Both the cross and the crucifix belong to the whole Christian family, yet different traditions lean toward one or the other for reasons rooted in how they pray and what they wish to keep before their eyes.
The crucifix is most associated with Catholic and Orthodox Christians. In these traditions the crucifix hangs in churches and homes as a steady reminder of the sacrifice of Christ. It is a focus for prayer, meditation, and devotion, holding the suffering love of the Lord in plain sight.
The plain cross is common across many Protestant traditions. For many Protestant Christians the empty cross gives first place to the Resurrection. The bare wood says that Christ is no longer on the cross, that death has been defeated, and that the tomb is empty. It is a symbol of victory and of hope.
None of this divides the faith. A Catholic family may treasure a plain cross, and a Protestant family may hold a crucifix close. The shared truth is that Christ died and rose again. The cross and the crucifix simply tell that one story from two moments.
How to choose a cross or a crucifix for your home or as a gift
Start with what you want it to say. If you want a symbol that lifts up the Resurrection and reads gently across any Christian home, a plain cross is a natural choice. If you want a piece that draws the heart into prayer and keeps the sacrifice of Christ in view, a crucifix is the fuller image.
Think about the room and the moment. A plain cross sits beautifully in an entryway, a living room, or a child's room. A crucifix is often placed above a bed, in a prayer corner, or anywhere the family gathers to pray.
For a gift, the safest and warmest choice is usually a plain cross, since it is welcomed across every Christian tradition. If you know the person prays with a crucifix, or that they are Catholic or Orthodox, a crucifix becomes a deeply personal gift. Either way, a piece carved by hand carries a meaning that a factory piece never will.
Crosses and crucifixes hand carved in Bethlehem
For more than twenty five years, the Christian families of Bethlehem have carved both crosses and crucifixes by hand from the olive wood that grows in the hills around the town where Christ was born. The same wood that has shaded those hills for centuries is shaped, smoothed, and finished in the Holy Land itself, then carried to Christian homes across America.
To hold a cross or a crucifix from Bethlehem is to keep your hands on the very land of the Gospel. You can see the pieces our artisans carve in our collection of olive wood crosses and our collection of crucifixes. If you are curious about the wood of the cross itself, see our guide to what wood the cross was made of.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cross and a crucifix?
A cross is the bare shape of two beams with nothing on it, while a crucifix is a cross that bears the figure of the body of Christ, called the corpus. The plain cross emphasizes the Resurrection and the empty tomb, and the crucifix emphasizes the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. The presence or absence of the corpus is the whole difference.
Is a crucifix a cross?
Yes. A crucifix is a kind of cross, one that carries the figure of the crucified Christ. So every crucifix is a cross, but not every cross is a crucifix. A bare cross with no body on it is simply called a cross or an empty cross.
Why do Catholics use a crucifix?
Catholic Christians, like Orthodox Christians, keep the crucifix in view as a steady reminder of the sacrifice and suffering love of Christ. The corpus draws the heart into prayer and meditation, holding the moment of Calvary in plain sight as a focus for devotion.
Why do Protestants use an empty cross?
Many Protestant Christians favor the empty cross because it gives first place to the Resurrection. The bare wood says that Christ is no longer on the cross, that death has been defeated, and that the tomb is empty. It is a symbol of victory and hope.
Which should I choose, a cross or a crucifix?
Choose a plain cross if you want a symbol that lifts up the Resurrection and is welcomed across every Christian tradition, which also makes it a safe and warm gift. Choose a crucifix if you want a piece that draws the heart into prayer and keeps the sacrifice of Christ in view, especially for a Catholic or Orthodox home.
Do a cross and a crucifix mean the same thing?
They point to the same Gospel from two moments. The crucifix holds us at the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, while the plain cross looks ahead to the empty tomb and the Resurrection. Both are true, and many Christian homes treasure both.
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