The Jerusalem Cross is a Christian symbol made of one large central cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, one in each corner. It is also called the Crusaders Cross or the Five Fold Cross. The five crosses together are most often understood to represent the five wounds of Christ, while the central cross stands for Christ himself and the four smaller crosses stand for the four Gospels carried to the four corners of the earth.
For families who treasure the Holy Land, the Jerusalem Cross is one of the most meaningful designs to keep in the home or wear close to the heart. At Bethlehem Handicrafts we have hand carved this cross in Holy Land olive wood since 2000, and it remains one of the pieces customers ask about most.
What does the Jerusalem Cross mean?
The Jerusalem Cross carries several layers of meaning that have grown over centuries of Christian tradition:
- The five wounds of Christ. The most common reading sees the five crosses as the five wounds Jesus received during the crucifixion.
- The Gospel to the four corners of the earth. The large cross is Christ, and the four small crosses are the four Gospels going out to north, south, east and west.
- Christ and the four evangelists. The center represents Jesus, and the four corners represent Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Why is it called the Crusaders Cross?
The design became the emblem of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, which is why many people know it as the Crusaders Cross. Pilgrims who traveled to the Holy Land carried the symbol home, and it has been linked with the city of Jerusalem ever since. Today it is worn and displayed by Christians of every tradition as a sign of faith and a connection to the land where Jesus walked.
The design dates to the 12th century, when it appeared on the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. That royal coat of arms carried by the Crusaders made the five fold cross famous across Europe, and pilgrims have brought it home from the Holy Land ever since.
What is the Jerusalem Cross made of in the Holy Land?
In Bethlehem the Jerusalem Cross is traditionally carved from olive wood. Olive trees are a living part of Scripture and of daily life in the Holy Land, and the wood is prized for its warm grain and lasting strength. Our carvers shape each cross by hand from seasoned olive wood, so no two pieces share exactly the same grain. You can see our carved crosses in the wooden crosses collection and our wearable designs in Jerusalem cross jewelry.
How do people use a Jerusalem Cross today?
- As a wall cross in the home, a prayer corner or a church
- As a necklace or pendant worn daily as a sign of faith
- As a baptism, confirmation, wedding or pilgrimage gift
- As a lasting keepsake from a journey to Jerusalem or Bethlehem
Frequently asked questions
What do the five crosses on the Jerusalem Cross represent?
They most often represent the five wounds of Christ. A second tradition reads the central cross as Christ and the four smaller crosses as the four Gospels carried to the four corners of the world.
Is the Jerusalem Cross Catholic or Orthodox?
It belongs to all of Christianity. Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Christians all use the Jerusalem Cross as a symbol of faith and of the Holy Land.
Where can I buy an authentic Jerusalem Cross from the Holy Land?
Bethlehem Handicrafts hand carves Jerusalem crosses in olive wood in Bethlehem and ships them to homes across the United States. Each piece comes from the workshop of a Christian family that has carved in the Holy Land for generations.
What is the Jerusalem Cross made of?
Holy Land pieces are most often carved from olive wood, which is naturally strong, warm in color and rich in Christian meaning. Some versions are also made in silver or mother of pearl.
Ready to bring this ancient symbol home? Explore our Jerusalem cross necklaces, hand carved in Bethlehem by Christian families and trusted since 2000.
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