Symbol
The papal cross is also the official emblem of the papal office and may be used only by the Pope. It is the same as a standard cross shape but with three horizontal arms, which decrease in length the higher up the cross they are. The three bars represent the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Three Divine Persons of the One God.
Read more about this topic: Papal Cross
Famous quotes containing the word symbol:
“The glance is natural magic. The mysterious communication established across a house between two entire strangers, moves all the springs of wonder. The communication by the glance is in the greatest part not subject to the control of the will. It is the bodily symbol of identity with nature. We look into the eyes to know if this other form is another self, and the eyes will not lie, but make a faithful confession what inhabitant is there.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The truth has never been of any real value to any human being—it is a symbol for mathematicians and philosophers to pursue. In human relations kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths.”
—Graham Greene (1904–1991)