St. Francis of Assisi's Cross
The Figures in the San Damiano Cross Icon and What They Mean
Jul 17, 2008
Saint Francis of Assisi wrote that it was from this cross that he heard the voice of God telling him to rebuild the church. Since the cross hung in a ruined church building, Francis assumed God meant him to repair that structure. He later realized he was to rebuild the Catholic Church itself.
The cross, painted by a Syrian monk in the 12th century, is displayed today in the Church of the Poor Clares in Assisi, Italy.
Around its border are sea shells, which, because shells are scrubbed clean by the sea and rock hard, symbolize purity and everlastingness. Drawn in perfect symmetry, they demonstrate the skill of the artist.
Figure of Jesus
The main figure of Jesus Christ is not that of a man crucified, nor of the resurrected Jesus in the triumphant pose of modern paintings and sculpture. It has its own symbolism.
The face, rather than in deep sorrow, is serene. The mouth smiles slightly. Large eyes look with care and tenderness on the world.
The large torso symbolizes God’s power. The arms and legs are thin, suggesting the belief that people are Jesus' arms and legs in the world: though weak, the believer is to proclaim the Gospel through a life of caring.
Beside Jesus, sheltered by his outstretched arms symbolizing the protection of the church, are several people. His blood flows on them all, symbolizing that they are saved.
Mary and John
On his right stand Mary his mother and John the Apostle. The blood from Jesus' side flows on John who is looking at Mary happily and gesturing towards Jesus, as if assuring her that Jesus has saved the world. He is also accepting Mary, in response to Jesus' words, "Here is your mother."
Mary appears serene but sad. She gestures with one hand towards Jesus and John. The other is to her face, her gesture of acceptance of John as her son, and of the entire human race as her daughters and sons.
Other Marys
On the other side stands Mary Magdalen, the first to discover that Jesus had risen. Her hand is to her chin as if she is speaking confidentially.
Next to her is Mary Clopas, mother of James, as indicated by an inscription below the figures. She has a hand raised in response to Mary Magdalene.
Both Mary Magdalen and Mary Clopas are smiling, as if discussing the salvation of the world that Jesus has accomplished.
Centurion
Opinions differ about the figure of the Roman next to them. One says he is the centurion whose servant Jesus healed. Another says he is the centurion who, when Jesus died, said, "Surely this was a son of God."
He is holding up three fingers of one hand, a symbol in iconography that he is speaking.
Martyr
Some scholars say the small figure beside the centurion's leg is Pontius Pilate. Others say a close examination shows he holds a spear and is the soldier offering Jesus the sponge soaked in wine.
On the left side of the cross, beside Mary's legs, is the soldier piercing Jesus' side. It is known that his name is Longinus. He became a Christian, went home to Cappadocia (in what is now Turkey) where he was martyred and is remembered as Saint Longinus.
Icon Symbols
Millions of people have replicas of the Cross in their homes as devotional articles and objects for prayers. Like the original, they contain many symbols in addition to those mentioned here -- halos, colors, angels, the tomb, hands.
The symbols are rooted in the Gospel and the language of iconography. The differing opinions show that what is important is what the viewer sees, and the personal meanings each person can find.
St.Francis later adopted the simple tau cross as his personal standard.
Source: The Franciscans
For an article on a modern symbol associated with the idea of respect for all religions, an idea dear to St. Frances, see Virgin Mary Shrine - Ladye Park Vision of Unity.
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