the cross is a universal symbol from the most remote times
it is a cosmic symbol, a point of communication between heaven and earth
a symbol of archetypal man/woman capable of infinite and harmonious expansion on both the horizontal and vertical planes
the vertical line is celestial, spiritual, intellectual, positive, active, male
the horizontal line is earthly, rational, intuitive, negative, passive, female
the combination of these two lines - androgyne
the cross represents dualism in nature
It is union of opposites
the four elements of the world are united at the 5th point, the centre.
reference:
J.C. Cooper
Lovely images here. For me the cross denotes the four winds, the crossroads and of course+ marks the spot. That notion of the four elements connected by the fifth is most satisfying
ReplyDeleteYes, of course.
ReplyDeletethe four directions
and also, the cross is often used as a protection sign.
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Love the cross
ReplyDeleteMy sense of female also lives on the vertical as well as horizontal. I flow in all directions in any aspect of being. Love inhabits male / female in each named thing.
Yes, I understand.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time saying that the horizontal line is female - and the vertical line is male. However, the more I've used the symbols as a language, the more sense they make for me.
The cross symbol is one of the most powerful - especially the greek cross when both horizontal and vertical are of equal length.
When Susan Johnson's weaving arrived in my house, I had to drop everything else and look at it. began seeing and making crosses everywhere.
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I will never look at a 9-patch quite the same way again. Ditto for C.R. Mackintosh's favourite grids...Hmmm...ideas stirring...
ReplyDeleteI have always looked at the cross as a model of the energies of male and female... thinking of it as a crossroad... deciding which way to go... active or inactive..great post
ReplyDeleteyou all are re-meaning the cross for me. it's a symbol i thought too laden with only one tradition, i am, as usual, indebted to you judy.
ReplyDeletelove this judy! for me the cross is rooted in weave. the thing that stands and that which travels across, and the center being the meeting place, the crossroads, where interaction holds it all together. all framed by nine which is really a weave draft to me.
ReplyDeletei have one of susan's beautiful crosses....
those words: the thing that stands and that which travels across and the center being the meeting place are perfect
ReplyDeletethank you jude
and thank you to all who have added their interpretations of the powerful cross first shape
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I live in the spot of earth called The Bible Belt, so I steer way clear of crosses. But like Velma writes, you and J. C. Cooper turn my head, my way of viewing and thinking about crosses. And you know what Cooper says of "abnormality"? Bringers of luck, positive possibilities, magic. Which is precisely how I see Nancy . . .
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