Great Cross of Hendaye - The Monument

The Monument

Divided into three basic parts. The Upper Cross, Greek Cross, the column, and the pedestal base. Each are further divided into their own components. The Upper cross has three symbols, the pillar has its own symbol, and the base has four symbols.

1. Upper Cross: Three Main Symbols are: traditional inscription of INRI(located on top of the cross), two double 'X' markings, and a broken Latin inscription that reads O CRUX AVE SPES UNICA. These symbols offer a three inter-related meaning system, which gives us the key to understanding the entire process symbolized by the monument.
2. The pillar: The pillar plays a unifying role on the monument that serves as a link in which bonds each element of the Cross together and explains that each portion of the Cross is to be considered in union with the remaining portions of the Cross. The cross is a single entity and its overall meaning is not to be interpreted based only on one of the elements but rather the overall meaning should be based on all of the elements together.
3. The Base: The four symbols engraved on the base must be taken as one unity. One in which the order and the meaning of the symbols are constant. The images are: an eight ray star burst, a half moon shape with an eye spot, an angry sun face with a bulging spiral eye,and an oval that fills the entire space of the rectangle (which is quartered by a cross). Of the four symbols found on the Cross, there are two that have are believed to have significant meaning. The Sun Face symbol and the Oval Symbol.

• Sun Face Symbol:

The face of the Sun is framed by 16 large spikes and 16 smaller spikes inside a containing outer circle. The Sun is then surrounded by four stars, which are placed in the corners of the rectangle and titled so that the diagonal axis continues through the center point of the Sun face. Which then draws a Galactic Alignment through the Sun.

• Oval Symbol:

The oval has four capital letter "A"'s in it. One 'A' is positioned on each side of the arms of the cross. The A's are unusual in that they have a sharply angled cross bar set in the top angle of each 'A' rather than the usual horizontal cross bar