MEANING: The Jerusalem cross, is a heraldic cross consisting of a large Cross Potent with a smaller plain cross in each quadrant.
It is known as the Crusader’ Cross as it began as a heraldic cross worn on the coat of arms of Godfrey of Bouillon during the First Crusade. It was used as the heraldry of the supreme ruler of the Crusader States known as the King of Jerusalem for about two centuries.
When known as the Five-Fold Cross the symbolism varies from representing the five wounds of Christ (small crosses for the hands and feet, and the large central cross for the spear wound in His side), Christ and the four quarters of the world, or Christ and the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
The Jerusalem Cross has also been accepted to be an unofficial symbol of Christian Deism. Deism is a theological position (though encompassing a wide variety of view-points) concerning God's relationship with the natural world. It refers to a deist who believes in the moral teachings—but not divinity—of Jesus. The Jerusalem Cross contains memory helps that point to twenty words that paraphrase the statements that Jesus used to describe the essence of his message. The 20 words are: "There is one God. I will love God with all my heart and love all others as I love myself." See Mark 12:28-31 and Luke 10:25-28 for two versions of Jesus' original statements.
SIZE: 11 x 11 Inches
THE CARVING: Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each carving begins as a 1 X 12-inch cedar board. While we use power tools (Scroll Saw, Rotary shaft Tool, handheld detail sanders, etc.), we use no lasers, CNC machines or computer-operated cutting machines. All work is done with our hands and eyes…
We cut the 2-dimensional blanks with scroll and jig saws (double-sized custom orders have to be cut with a jigsaw). Carving is done with rotary shaft tools and disc grinders. The 80-grit sanding is the final phase of the carving process, removing the nicks and gouges from the carving tools, and finishes the shaping of the weave. The next 2 sandings with 120 and then 220 grit finishes the smoothing and polishing. They are finished with Clear Danish Oil to seal the piece, bringing out the grain and the color.
