Sword - Crossed Swords Symbol

Crossed Swords Symbol

"Crossed swords" redirects here. For other uses, see Crossed swords (disambiguation).

The crossed swords symbol (⚔ at Unicode U+2694) is used to represent battlegrounds on maps. It is also used to show that person died in battle or that a war machine was lost in action. Two crossed swords also look like a Christian cross and the mixed symbolism has been used in military decorations, for instance in the Polish Order of the White Eagle (before 1730) and the Cross of Independence. Several German military orders in both world wars had grades adorned with crossed swords, e.g. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern), and so was the British Order of Merit when awarded for military achievements. Crossed swords are also used in tatoos as a symbol of power, violence and death.

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Famous quotes containing the words crossed, swords and/or symbol:

    my eyes filled up like an owl,
    and my legs crossed themselves like Christ’s.
    He was a stranger, Father.
    Oh God,
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    Anne Sexton (1928–1974)

    If all would lead their lives in love like me,
    Then bloody swords and armor should not be;
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    Unless alarm came from the camp of love.
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    Whatever we inherit from the fortunate
    We have taken from the defeated
    What they had to leave us—a symbol:
    A symbol perfected in death.
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)