Cross and Crown

The Cross and Crown (a cross passing through a crown), is a traditional Christian symbol appearing in many churches, particularly Roman Catholic; and has also been used in heraldry. It is often interpreted as symbolizing the reward in heaven (the crown) coming after the trials in this life (the cross) (James 1:12).

In addition to Roman Catholic and orthodox Christianity uses, the symbol also appears in the seal of the Church of Christ, Scientist, where it is surrounded by the words "Heal the Sick, Cleanse the Lepers, Raise the Dead, Cast Out Demons", from the Gospel of Matthew, 10:8. In this symbol the crown stands for victory over death.

The 18th-century Protestant fraternal society Royal Black Preceptory uses the Cross and Crown over a motto scroll featuring the words In hoc signo vinces (Latin for 'By this sign thou shalt conquer') as the symbol for their organization.

The symbol is also associated with Freemasonry, specifically the Knights Templar branch of Freemasonry. It is a modern Knight Templar group (which does not claim a heritage from the medieval order) symbol. It is thought, however, that it was never a prominent symbol of the historical military order (see Knights Templar Seal). Many military orders during the Crusades adopted Coats of arms prominently featuring a cross (often a Maltese cross) in various contexts.

The symbol was also featured in the early publications and memorabilia of the Bible Students. First appearing on the cover of the January 1881 issue of Zion's Watch Tower, the cross and crown were surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, and the symbol was also used on lapel pins, buttons (metal and celluloid) and pendants of various designs. However, not all of its uses by the I.B.S.A. included the wreath of laurel leaves. Although Charles Taze Russell's gravesite is marked by a pyramid memorial erected by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society with an illustration of the Cross and Crown symbol, the Watchtower Society later discontinued using the cross and crown some years after, viewing it as a "pagan symbol" - their doctrine for some time since is that Jesus was not crucified, but hung on an upright stake.

The Cross and Crown symbol also appears on the cover of the 1998 book, The Power of the Cross, by Tim Lahaye.